There’s a good reason why the generations have their own monikers such as Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, etc. The generations have distinct differences that make them interesting and unique. However, these diverse generations all have a role to play in your alumni network.
Learn how to start engaging alumni across generations with our tips for inclusive alumni programming.
Understanding generational differences
Your workplace and alumni network may consist of members of up to four generations. These are the younger members of the Baby Boomer generation, Generation X, Millennials, and older Gen Zs. Here’s a quick breakdown of what that means:
- Baby Boomers: Born between the end of World War Two and 1964.
- Generation X: Born in the years from 1965 to 1980.
- Millennials: Born in the years from 1981 to 1996.
- Gen Z: Born in the years from 1997 to 2012.
Multi-generational alumni networks pose a couple of challenges:
- How do you create a network where all the generations feel welcome?
- How can you encourage intergenerational interaction for a more inclusive community?
To make alumni of all backgrounds and ages feel welcome, you must ensure that they all derive value from the program.
The challenges of diverse alumni communities
Young alumni have grown up surrounded by technology from a young age, whereas older generations have not. That is why choosing a user-friendly online platform, like Aluminate for Enterprise, is so crucial.
Next, let’s consider the challenge of creating a more cohesive community. The key is to find common ground between the generations.
The most significant common thread between them is that they all seek connection. All generations appreciate the value of fellowship. Older generations may prefer in-person social events while younger generations favor virtual ones. But a healthy mix of the two makes everyone happy.
Using technology to bridge generational gaps
Today’s alumni networks realize the potential of alumni technology for more inclusive alumni programming. Alumni across the generations have joined alumni programs for a sense of belonging, to remain involved in their communities, and to give something back.
Aluminate honors this tradition, with a modern twist.
What sets the generations apart, and what they have in common, are equally important in establishing a successful multi-generational alumni program. You can offer all generations what they want, with a combination of online community interaction on Aluminate, and in-person events.
Keeping everyone happy
Keep your alumni activities varied to make all alumni feel welcome and keep everyone happy. But there’s another way to keep everyone happy, and that’s with affinity groups.
Affinity groups are employee-led teams that share a common culture or common interests. These groups play a major role in workplace diversity and inclusion, especially for underrepresented groups. And you can offer your alumni community something similar, with Aluminate’s Groups module.
Get the ball rolling by creating a few alumni affinity groups based on broad interests. Your alumni can then decide which of these alumni groups to join. Different generations from diverse backgrounds will find themselves interacting in these groups out of mutual interests, despite their differences.
Create multi-channel communication strategies
One of the best methods of inclusive alumni programming is to create a multi-channel communication strategy.
Older generations are not opposed to online alumni program participation. You just need to bring a hint of familiarity into it. They may be nostalgic about reading newspapers and listening to radio news broadcasts. Offer them the next best thing, with newsletters and audio snippets/podcasts, etc.
Younger generations tend to enjoy visual and interactive activities more, so include videos, virtual events, and online games in your alumni online community when possible.
Every member will see what is most relevant to them in the Aluminate community builder’s digital dashboard, on login.
Every generation has something to contribute
Multi-channel communication is the path to including everyone, of all ages, and raising engagement across the generations. Everyone has something to contribute.
Allow your alumni to personalize their online activities with anecdotes, video clips, and more. But set some guidelines for what is, and what is not, acceptable. Keep a set of the alumni program guidelines accessible in the Aluminate digital library. Alumni relations staff and alumni members can then view these any time they need to.
Tailor events to multiple generations
Although the different generations may prefer one type of event over another, it is possible to appeal to all of them in one event. You just need to be creative with your alumni relations activities.
An in-person event that includes multimedia exhibits will appeal to alumni groups of all ages. If you are planning on inviting guest speakers, aim for diversity in your selection, with different age groups, ethnicities, and genders represented, if possible.
Offer flexible volunteer and engagement opportunities
The more flexibility you offer, the more naturally diversity will occur. So, allow your alumni the freedom to choose how and where to get involved in volunteering, mentorship, social responsibility, and other campaigns in your alumni program.
Engagement can be encouraged and supported, but it cannot be forced.
Your alumni have different comfort levels with program participation. Invite them all to participate, but respect their different approaches. These are borne out of generational gaps, and they may take time to adopt new attitudes. This isn’t true for both older and younger generations and for all cultures.
If your alumni show an interest in mentoring but don’t know where to start, the Aluminate mentor-mentee matching feature will help.
Provide lifelong learning options
You’re never too old, or too young, to learn something new or master a new skill.
Simplify this for all generations with a digital library of resources on the Aluminate platform. Encourage career development, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning support among the generations. This is a tried and trusted method for promoting diversity.
If you’re unsure of what resources to offer, use our Aluminate Insights to determine what your alumni are most interested in.
Celebrate alumni achievements across all eras
If you want your alumni to celebrate each other, despite generational differences, give them a platform where they can do so.
Establish a regular feature in your corporate alumni program where members can announce their achievements or those of their fellow alumni. Highlight these achievements in your newsletters. Remember to celebrate individual milestones.
For those alumni who have social media accounts, use Aluminate’s social data sync feature to keep their social data up-to-date (with their permission, of course).
Cultivate a culture of inclusivity for more diverse alumni networks
Networking and mentorship programs offer the perfect opportunity for more inclusive alumni programming. Arrange events, in-person or virtual, where older generations and younger generations meet to network and brainstorm, or pair up for short mentoring sessions.
Such events will open older generations up more to the digitally savvy, multicultural, and diverse community they may not have experienced much in their early work life. It will also give younger alumni members the opportunity to gain knowledge and wisdom from their seniors in the corporate community.
Build a stronger, more unified alumni community with Aluminate for Enterprise
One cannot deny that each generation is unique. But there is more that binds them than what sets them apart. Celebrate their common goals by building a strong, unified, and diverse alumni community. There are countless opportunities for inclusive alumni programming when you have the right platform and tools.
Aluminate for Enterprise is highly dynamic and customizable to create an alumni program that works for everyone. Yet it is also user-friendly, with minimal set-up. Get the online community software that engages alumni across the generations. Need to know more? Sign up for a free demo.
