Companies worldwide are discovering the many benefits of creating their own corporate alumni networks. However, to keep alumni engaged and active on these networks, they also understand the importance of offering alumni benefits. 

When alumni get value from their membership, they are more likely to keep participating. Want to know what benefits will impress them the most? These are the nine top expectations corporate alumni have for their membership benefits.

What are alumni membership benefits?

Alumni membership benefits are the perks and privileges that come with belonging to and participating in an alumni program.

The exact benefits on offer tend to differ between academic and corporate alumni programs. They can even differ slightly from one corporate alumni program to the next. However, there are some benefits that most alumni expect.

Why is it important to offer corporate alumni membership benefits?

When you offer your former employees benefits in return for their corporate alumni membership, they will:

  • Feel recognized, valued, and appreciated by your company
  • Stay engaged and active in the alumni network 
  • Want to participate in further alumni program activities
  • Be more inclined to promote the alumni association and employer brand

And all of this will encourage them to agree should you ask for contributions, referrals, or mentoring of your new employees.

9 Top expectations corporate alumni have for their membership benefits

Let’s turn our attention to what corporate alumni expect from their membership benefits. 

Technology that enhances the experience

Today’s alumni expect a digital platform that keeps in step with the times and enhances the overall alumni membership experience. 

They want a platform where they can remain in contact with fellow colleagues, get to know other alumni, and retain their ties to the corporate community. One that’s user-friendly and that makes alumni membership accessible regardless of geographic location.

With Aluminate for Enterprise, you can meet all of these alumni membership benefit expectations and many others. 

Access to networking events 

corporate alumni membership benefits

Networking events give your alumni the chance to get to know their fellow alumni and form strong partnerships. These often lead to lasting friendships and even new business ventures. That is why being invited to exclusive events is such a common expectation for corporate alumni. 

Ensure that your alumni always know what events are available. Post announcements on Aluminate’s digital dashboard. Because this is the first thing they see when they sign in to the platform, it is the core of the alumni digital community. 

No alumni members ever need to feel left out, regardless of their location. With Aluminate, your alumni network can enjoy virtual networking events too. 

Career advancement support

Many corporate alumni expect a certain amount of help with career advancement. If you feel that this is not in your company’s best interests, we have the solution. Advance their careers within your organization.

Sometimes, the best candidates for job openings are hidden somewhere in your alumni network. Leading companies know this, which is why their alumni networks double as talent management systems. You can do the same by posting job openings on your Aluminate for Enterprise community platform. 

You’ll save money on recruitment and fill positions with loyal, skilled people who can hit the road running. Your alumni gain access to opportunities for the career advancement they seek, with a former employer they already know and trust. It’s always a win-win situation. 

Continuous learning opportunities

Continuous learning opportunities are a great way to offer value to your corporate alumni. It will show them that you care about their goals and aspirations and are willing to help them pursue these dreams.  

On the Aluminate for Enterprise platform, you can provide alumni members with easy access to a digital library of resources. They can use these for career advancement, business development, and personal growth.  

Alumni association recognition 

If you want to make your alumni feel valued, show them recognition for their achievements. These can be achievements while they were still with the company, outside the company, or within the alumni program itself. 

Use the Aluminate for Enterprise platform to show recognition. It’s the most customizable online community on the market, which means you can adapt it to suit your alumni’s every need. 

Celebrate their milestones with them, and congratulate them on their successes. You’ll always stay up-to-date and know what’s new, thanks to Aluminate’s social data sync feature. 

Exclusive alumni network discounts and perks

corporate alumni membership benefits

Few alumni can resist corporate alumni membership benefits like exclusive discounts and perks. 

There are many ways to do this. You could offer your alumni discounted (or free) products and services from your own brand, or vouchers for other (non-competitor) top brands or even outdoor activities. Alternatively, offer alumni-specific branded merchandise like coffee mugs, golf shirts, or office supplies. 

These alumni discounts don’t have to be huge and the alumni perks don’t have to be expensive. The value comes not from the cost of the items or perks, but the meaning attached to them.

Fellowship and a sense of belonging

Many corporate alumni join alumni programs to retain a sense of belonging. Just as many academic alumni wish to keep in touch with their fellow graduates and stay involved with their alma mater, so too do corporate alumni. They may have strong ties to their former colleagues, and the company culture. 

Support their need for continued fellowship, with activities and events where they can socialize with fellow alumni. Nurture alumni fellowship with Aluminate’s Groups module. This allows you to create sub-communities within the larger alumni network, segmented by alumni interests or any other criteria.

Clear and consistent communication

Your alumni expect clear and consistent communication from your alumni association. You must meet this need if you want to build strong alumni relations. Give members access to the latest company news and industry trends, as well as the latest developments in the alumni program. 

Post news snippets and important announcements on the digital dashboard, and in your alumni newsletter. You don’t have an alumni newsletter yet? It’s never too late to start one. Our guide to writing an engaging alumni newsletter will show you how to create a newsletter that your alumni will want to read. 

Opportunities to give back

Many alumni want to be able to give something back to the corporate community. It is their way of saying thank you for the support you showed them for years. Allowing them to mentor your new and future employees meets this expectation, perfectly. 

So, support their need to give something back, with mentorship opportunities and Aluminate’s mentor-matching feature. This takes the hassle out of pairing up mentees with suitably skilled mentors.

corporate alumni membership benefits

Meet and exceed alumni expectations with Aluminate for Enterprise

You may expect several things from your alumni program, such as opportunities for talent acquisition, mentorship, business referrals, and more. However, alumni have several expectations of their own. 

When corporate alumni membership benefits expectations are met, yours will likely be met, too. It all starts with creating an online community platform where alumni can be informed, involved, and engaged. Aluminate for Enterprise offers all this and more, with features that meet and exceed every expectation.  

Request your free demo today and get ready to start exceeding your alumni’s expectations for their membership benefits.