Written by Maddie Starkey (COM’25) | Posted March 2025 

Professionals at all levels can run into unexpected challenges throughout their careers, including layoffs, career pivots, burnout, and various struggles to find employment. The Boston University Alumni Association is committed to providing you with all the career resources and tools necessary to help you succeed. Keep reading for featured webinars, articles, and more, and check out our calendar for upcoming BU alumni career events and networking opportunities.

Navigating a career transition with confidence

Planning a different route in your career, or have substantial gaps in your resume? Career transitions are completely normal and very common. From understanding key success factors to tackling employment gaps, these BU expert-led webinars below will allow you to gain insight to make your transition smoother and more successful.

Navigating your career transition: Key success factors
In this webinar Emily Raviola (SPH’08) explores five of the essential success factors for a smooth career transition or job search. These insights are drawn from the Tools for Transition framework, a research-based program developed over decades, incorporating best practices and lessons learned from thousands of clients.

Employment gaps: How to find work if you have been out of work for over 6 months
If you have been out of work for over 6 months, statistics show that you are less likely to be considered for an interview. Long-term unemployment is a difficult challenge to overcome. However, Mo Chanmugham (Questrom’99) will cover the steps you can take to improve your chances of landing a job.

Returning to work after a break
Are you getting ready to integrate back to your job after having a baby, medical leave or any other lapse in employment? Learn the strategies you’ll need to make this transition as smooth as possible with Jaime Bronstein (CAS’99), LCSW, The Relationship Expert.

Mastering the art of job hunting

Finding a job in today’s complex market can be challenging. These webinars provide insider tips from recruiters and strategies to sharpen your networking skills and set meaningful goals to land your next opportunity.

Ten truths about job hunting in today’s market
The job market today presents unique challenges that have never been seen in previous eras. Scott Singer (CAS’93) covers how to get a leg up as you search for your next career challenge such as ways in which AI is permeating today’s job market, how employers have changed the hiring process, and ways in which you can rise above, even in the face of a challenging market.

You’re hired: A recruiter’s roundtable on getting the job
We assembled a dynamic panel of BU alumni with experience working as professional recruiters and HR reps at companies such as Boston Beer Company, Mass General Hospital, Shark and Ninja brands, Wayfair, and more to cover topics like resumes, cover letters, networking, and following up.

Create your 2025 blueprint: An evening of intentional goal-setting
Have you ever set New Year’s resolutions only to watch them fade by February? What if this year could be different—the year you truly align with your biggest dreams and turn them into reality? Led by expert facilitator & certified personal coach Samantha Melendez McManus (CGS’10, COM’12), this dynamic workshop will guide you through a neuroscience-backed process to help you step into your best self and build a clear path to success.

Everything you need to know about resumes, cover letters, and interviews

When applying to jobs, it’s crucial that your resume, cover letter, and interviews don’t fall short. Whether you’re actively applying or you haven’t applied to a job in years, these resources will help you strengthen your application documents and ace any interview.

Elevate your resume: How to beat the seven-second barrier
Many recruiters claim that they know within about seven seconds of looking at a resume whether to cut someone from the candidate pool. So how can job seekers capture the attention of managers and decision-makers to ensure they’ll advance to the next stage in the process? Presented by Deborah Jancourtz, Assistant Director of Career Education at the Center for Career Development.

Top 10 job search and interview tips
Where you work can make all the difference in the world when it comes to your happiness. Presented by Dr. Rose Opengart (CAS’90) you will learn how to be strategic about your search, answer the toughest interview questions, and ask great questions to land your dream job.

Leveraging AI for career development
This article delves into how to utilize AI as a resource for career exploration, job searching, and content creation – both ethically and strategically.

Resume guides and Cover Letter Guides

The BU Center for Career Development provides application examples and guidance, so you get started on crafting an effective resume and a cover letter that ties your experience seamlessly together with the job description.

Network. Network. Network

Networking is crucial to build the necessary relationships and grow professionally in your career. One of the best places to network with the BU community is BU Connects, an exclusive networking platform for Boston University alumni, students, staff, and faculty that brings Terriers together for personal and professional networking on a global scale. You can also join the Boston University Alumni group on LinkedIn to engage with even more Terriers. If you’re not sure how to move your networking to the next level, check out the resources below to learn how to harness your Boston University network.

Expand your authority and leverage with LinkedIn and BU Connects
Whether you’re an aspiring business owner, entrepreneur, or corporate executive, LinkedIn is the ultimate platform for generating broader visibility for your brand. But do you know how to truly harness its power? Adding BU Connects to your toolkit to work hand-in-hand with LinkedIn is the most powerful way to showcase your skills and build your network within our global BU community. Angela Pitter (ENG’86, MET’93), Founder & CEO of LiveWire Collaborative, and Michael Ouellette (Wheelock’08) speak on how to best utilize these platforms to work (and network) smarter, not harder.

“I love networking” – said nobody ever
When you hear the word “networking”, you might feel like recoiling in dread thinking about cheesy events where strangers smash business cards in your hand. When done wrong, putting yourself out there and making professional connections can feel intimidating, unpleasant, and tiring. But networking doesn’t have to suck. Listen to this panel of four accomplished alumni discuss their experiences, and how networking has helped get them to where they are today.

How to unlock career opportunities with BU Connects
Learn how BU Connects can help you expand your professional network, access alumni mentorship, and discover jobs and internships.

Career development support and coaching

As a Boston University alum or student, you have access to resources from the Center for Career Development, which offers innovative, accessible, and inclusive programming, and strategic partnerships to support career readiness for the BU community. Many individual BU schools & colleges also offer services catering to the industry-needs of their alumni, and you’ll find a full list of BU Career Development Offices on the BU Alumni & Friends website.

For extra support, browse the growing number of alumni-led Career Coaching listings in the BU Connects Business Directory. Be sure to inquire about BU discounts from these private coaches!

Additional articles/resources

Looking for more food for thought about your career? Check out these helpful articles and podcasts from BU and beyond.  

• Proud to BU Alumni Careers Podcast
• Erica Mattison – Career Resource Guide for Federal Employees Navigating Job Loss
• Forbes Bouncing Back From Career Failures
• Get Hired with Andrew Seaman
• 15 Best Jobs to Consider for a Career Change in 2025

No matter where you are in your career—navigating a transition, searching for a new job, or simply polishing your skills—you’re not alone. Take advantage of the resources above and Boston University’s strong and connected alumni network to begin the next phase of your professional journey.