Three ways to help bridge OSU students' transition into the workforce

November 6, 2025

By Karla Rockhold, Senior Director II of Alumni Career Engagement, OSU Alumni Association

A major transformation is underway for Oregon State students. With the launch of the new Core Education curriculum in June 2025, OSU is redefining what it means to prepare students for life beyond graduation. Designed after years of collaborative work with faculty, students and employers, Core Education connects foundational learning to real-world skills, such as creative problem-solving, teamwork and career readiness.

Faculty are designing new, experience-based assignments to help students connect their coursework to professional pathways. Many of these assignments encourage students to reach out to Oregon State alumni for short informational interviews — 10- to 20-minute conversations about career trajectories, industries and workplace insights. These activities are becoming an essential bridge between classroom learning and the skills and networks students need as they transition into the workforce.

That’s where alumni involvement is essential. Through OSU Connections, Oregon State’s official networking platform, students can easily find alumni who display the “Willing to Help” banner on their profiles. Faculty are directing students to the platform because it’s purpose-built for Beaver-to-Beaver engagement, offering an accessible way to connect without LinkedIn’s message limits and helping students — especially those still building their professional networks — find supportive alumni in their fields of interest.

Alumni can support this new educational experience in three quick steps:

  • Update your OSU Connections profile to share your current career details and interests.
  • Activate your “Willing to Help” banner to signal your openness to student outreach.
  • Respond when students email or message through OSU Connections — your insights may help them complete a key assignment and clarify their path forward.

By taking a few minutes to engage, you’re helping students link their learning to life after graduation while reshaping how Beavers learn, connect and lead.

Update your OSU Connections profile today! Not already a member? Please consider joining OSU Connections to provide valuable career insights to students.

Curious to learn more about career resources available to students and alumni at OSU? Join our next Ask Alumni webcasts:

Ask Alumni | Leveraging Career Services and Resources at OSU | Thursday, Nov. 6 | 5:30 p.m. PT

Ask Alumni | Leveraging Career Services and Resources Beyond OSU | Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 5:30 p.m. PT