Last modified: Monday, December 13, 2010
IU Alumni Association offers free Bridge Membership to unemployed alumni
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 13, 2010
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The Indiana University Alumni Association announced its Bridge Membership program today (Dec. 13). The program provides unemployed IU alumni a one-year free online membership with access to IU Alumni Career Services normally available only to dues-paying members.
The IUAA Bridge Membership comes as the jobless rate for Americans with at least a bachelor's degree has risen to 5.1 percent — the highest since 1970 — according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
"This program combines the power of networking with a set of job-seeking tools we want to provide to IU alumni who most need them right now," says J Thomas Forbes, executive director of the IU Alumni Association.
With a Bridge Membership, employment-seeking alumni gain free access to information on finding jobs in 43 U.S. cities and 32 countries, making the program valuable to IU alumni no matter where they are located.
"We're introducing this complimentary Bridge Membership to our unemployed alumni to give them the resources they need to help them move toward the next step in their career," says Nichole Williams, director of alumni career services. "Over the past few years we've helped unemployed alumni, and it is time to do more."
Bridge members will have access to the IU alumni directory for networking, use of a resume and cover letter builder, a mock interview feature, career assessments, and researchable databases. In addition, career advice webinars and job-coaching conference calls will begin in January to further help unemployed alumni.
Dues-paying members and new graduates requesting a complimentary one-year membership upon graduation already have access to these career services along with other member benefits.
"We are extending a helping hand to IU graduates caught in the global economic maelstrom," says Forbes. "These resources will help alumni find job opportunities and make career transitions during these turbulent economic times."
To take advantage of the IU Alumni Association's free Bridge Membership program, alumni should call (800) 824-3044 and ask for the Membership Department.
The IU Alumni Association is dedicated to serving the university and its diverse alumni, students and friends. As one of the nation's largest alumni organizations, serving more than 540,000 graduates worldwide, the IUAA provides many programs and services to its members, nonmember alumni and the university. For information, visit https://alumni.indiana.edu/ or call (800) 824-3044.
