An online alumni network connects Santa Clara grads through time and industry.
The bulletin boards that once powered campus exchanges of books, long-distance car rides, jobs, and housing have disappeared in the digital age. But the Santa Clara Alumni Association found a replacement that stretches campus connections beyond the physical boundaries of SCU. Through Switchboard, an online network for students, alumni, faculty, and staff, Broncos can hunt down nearly anything—from a sofa to an informational interview. After Riley McShane ’17 posted about his interest in music event planning, he was connected with another SCU graduate. Bruce Labadie ’77 built a career in music events; he’s artistic director of the San Jose Jazz Festival. Labadie helped McShane land an internship with the festival. “I realized he could handle this really complicated job,” organizing artist transportation, says Labadie. “It was a bonus that there was a Santa Clara connection.” Through that work, McShane found another job.
