You are here: American University Alumni News Resources and Hope for the AU Community

Contact Us

4401 Connecticut Avenue on a map

Alumni Relations 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 United States

Back to top

Alumni

Navigating Uncertainty: Resources and Hope for the AU Community

Recent and ongoing layoffs, hiring freezes, and other changes occurring in the federal government have affected many AU community members.  

"During times of transition and uncertainty, the strength of our alumni network is more important than ever,” says Patty Caballero, Alumni Association president. “As American University alumni, we are responsible for supporting, uplifting, and connecting with one another...Now is the time to lean in, engage, and ensure that no fellow Eagle navigates these challenges alone.” 

Some students who had internships in the federal government or affiliated with USAID projects report sudden changes in those plans and opportunities. At American University, we know that our strength is in our people and our community. The AU network is strong with connections that span the globe and across industries. 

"Right now, our priority is ensuring that no student or recent graduate feels alone in this challenging moment," says Sara Jones, director of career development for AU’s School of International Service. 

"One of the best things we can do to support young students and alumni through a time of dramatic change is to forge personal connections between students and alumni who can share their experiences, wisdom, and perspective," says School of International Service Dean Shannon Hader. 

Need a resource? All alumni have lifelong access to AU's career services. See below for examples of resources available to you. For a comprehensive list, we recommend reviewing the websites of the AU Career Center, SIS Office of Career Development and Kogod Career Center.

Be a resource! Looking to support fellow Eagles? See below for ways to make an impact.

AU Job and Internship Fair
Wednesday, April 2, 1 to 4 p.m.
Bender Arena

Upcoming Webinars (register on Handshake):

Job Serach Strategies (Online & Networking)
Wednesday, March 12, 12 to 12:45 p.m. on Zoom

Converting Your Federal Resume to a Traditional Resume
Wednesday, March 19. 12 to 12:45 p.m. on Zoom

How to Tell Your Story: Elevator Pitch & Preparing for Job Fairs
Wednesday, March 26. 12 to 12:45 p.m. on Zoom

 

 

Check out the Office of Alumni Relations’ spring events calendar for more opportunities to network with fellow Eagles.

Visit the AU Career Center, the SIS Office of Career Development, and Kogod’s Career Center for information, resources, and upcoming events.

Federal Hiring Webinars and Online Resources: Visit the AU Career Center for the latest updates, trusted resources, and upcoming webinars related to federal hiring (including the Partnership for Public Service’s “Federal Employee Explainer Series”).

Join Handshake, AU’s comprehensive career management platform, to apply for jobs, connect with employers, register for events, access additional resources, and more.

Don’t have a Handshake account? Email careercenter@american.edu and include the following information so that they can update or create your Handshake account:

  • Full/Preferred name
  • Full name when you graduated from AU
  • Graduation year
  • Major/Minor or program name

Join Alumnifire to connect with fellow Eagles. Network with the AU community; browse job postings; and find alumni who will review your resume and offer career services, and more.

Alumni have access to advising resources, which vary depending on the school from which you graduated. The SIS and AU career centers offer both in person and online advising. 

For SIS Alumni:  

  • SIS Alumni Advising (in person/online) 
    Virtual group advising on Mondays, 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. is reserved for alumni and students who have recently been laid off or furloughed. Contact siscareer@american.edu with any questions or requests for support. 

For SPA, SOC, SOE, and CAS Alumni: 

  • Drop-In Advising (in-person): Monday to Friday, 1-3 p.m. ET, Bender Library, Collaborative Room 1 

  • SPA-Specific Drop-In Advising (in-person): Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Wednesdays, 1 to 3 p.m., Kerwin Hall 

  • 1:1 Alumni Advising (in-person/online): Schedule appointments through Handshake. Available during business and evening hours (Eastern Time). For assistance, email careercenter@american.edu

We have more than 150,000 alumni across the globe who have the power to be a source of support and hope for Eagles navigating uncertain times. Interested in lending a hand to those impacted by recent executive orders?

1. Share Job and Internship Leads
For opportunities pertinent to SIS alumni or students, please email: siscareer@american.edu. For non-SIS opportunities, please email careercenter@american.edu. 

2.  Hire AU Alumni and Students. Encourage companies to attend the AU Job and Internship Fair on April 2 or post opportunities on Handshake.

3.  Join Alumnifire, our online community for students and alumni. Network with fellow Eagles and respond to questions. Find alumni in your city. Offer career advice, provide resume feedback, plus, and post jobs or internships on the job board.

4.  Lift Up Eagles on LinkedIn
Amplify posts from Eagles looking for opportunities. Lift up Eagles with kind, supportive messages. Share with others the value of hiring an AU graduate. 

5.  Donate. Consider reinforcing our commitment to students whose opportunities have been destabilized by donating to the Student Emergency Relief Fund

Lifelong access to the AU Library.

AU undergraduate alumni looking to pursue a master’s degree can enjoy tuition savings of 30 percent through the Double Eagle Graduate Scholarship.