Seattle participant John Hook, '16 talks about what the support of UO alumni and friends means to the students able to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

John will be joining seven other students, mainly juniors and seniors, in Seattle to meet with alumni at their companies to learn more about their career paths and how the UO has shaped their lives. Some of these alumni are new to being involved in the program, while others hosted students on last year's trip as well (find out why they want to be involved again - two time host and Seattle Chapter President Grant Gurewitz, BS '13 talks about it here: https://youtu.be/TQwXbj0x4V8).

Click the video link below to hear John's story and what your support means to him. Thank you for supporting Ducks like John as they participate in this exciting opportunity for professional development!

What was the defining moment of the 2015 Networking Spring Break trip to Seattle for participant Kevin Dobyns, '16? The students tasted coffee at Starbucks HQ, toured an exhibit at Experience Music Project the day before it opened, and got to check out Xbox apps being developed at Ratio, in addition to visiting many other exciting companies where Ducks work. Click the video link below to hear what stood out the most for him.

p.s. It's not what you think it would be!

Wondering how you can be involved with student connection events if you aren't in Eugene? Check out how Networking Spring Break has helped Seattle Chapter President Grant Gurewitz, BS '13 stay connected and help students towards success!

What a great first week of fundraising! Thanks to supporters like you, we are already at 11% of our goal! We couldn’t have done it without your support. We are truly grateful for our generous Duck alumni and friends.

Want to learn more about the value of the trip to students? See what Ryan Stover, B.S. '15, a participant on our 2015 Networking Spring Break Trip to Seattle has to say:

"The Student Alumni Association’s spring break networking trip was the most rewarding experience during my time as an Oregon Duck. As a student studying Business Administration, the entire process will contribute to success in my future. Submitting an application, resume, and cover letter gave me the opportunity to practice applying for an opening. Meeting new Ducks and immediately interacting with them was important in building a comfortable and energetic group dynamic. We also made sure to actively seek out useful advice from our SAA advisors, regarding expectations of the trip and how to properly conduct ourselves when meeting with business professionals. All of these minor preparations were important in providing each individual with a glimpse of the responsibilities necessary for a successful networking trip and in future endeavors.

The camaraderie in our group of ten was unforgettable. Traveling to each company should have been exhausting, but our flock of Ducks constantly made every moment worth enjoying. Not only that, but our flock continued to grow wherever we traveled. From prestigious companies like Microsoft and Starbucks, to younger ventures like Ratio and Tableau, Duck alumni were always waiting upon our arrival. Touring each company’s headquarters was even more exciting because a fellow Duck was genuinely interested in meeting and showing us his/her life after the U of O. We were given the chance to ask questions to a panel of alumni at each company, which was informative for us and exciting for them. It seemed like the alumni at each company didn’t want us to leave. We met businessmen and businesswomen who sincerely want to become more involved with our incredible alma mater by helping University of Oregon students.

Going to a company like Microsoft was both exciting and intimidating because of its rich history of innovation and unparalleled success. We met two high-ranking employees; yet, the kind gestures of both were unbelievable, promising to invest their time into any of my goals as an entrepreneur. After connecting with them on Linkedin, their advice and support was immediately at my disposal.

I hope the Student Alumni Association continues the spring break networking trip for years to come. It is a unique experience for everyone involved and I would like to host a flock of fellow Ducks someday wherever I am working. The only downside to graduating a year early is the fact that I will miss this year’s trip! Many thanks to the Student Alumni Association, Susan Burton, Sarah Dodson, James Chang, and all of the many alumni that welcomed us with open wings. Once a Duck… Always a Duck."