Kelly is the Office of Alumni Relations’ new director of professional networks and career development. She joined the team in November and is eager to lead the Alumni Career Services program, bringing professional development resources and opportunities to Drexel alumni.

As she continues to get up and running, she welcomes your feedback and ideas! You can contact Kelly directly at ktl58@drexel.edu.

Introduce yourself and share why you’re excited to be in the position.

I joined Drexel after 10 years on the alumni relations team at Wharton. I am thrilled to be leading Drexel’s Alumni Career Services (ACS) program because I have seen firsthand how integral the professional success of the alumni community is to everything a university does, from admissions and student outcomes to brand awareness and philanthropy. What makes this position even more exciting to me is the fact that it’s at Drexel. Being career focused is part of the Drexel culture. Drexel’s Co-op program attracts students that are driven, professional and career-motivated – characteristics that persist long after graduation. I am excited to offer an ASC program that builds on Drexel’s tradition of professional success and supports alumni in all stages of their careers.

Looking ahead at 2023, what are some of your plans for the ACS program that alumni can look forward to?

2023 is going to be an exciting year for ACS! Between global changes due to COVID-19 and staff transitions internally, a lot of the core ACS programming has been on hold. I am looking forward to reviving popular, existing programs like Dragons at Work and the Professional Affinity Groups, while piloting new opportunities for alumni to connect with each other. Dragon Network, Drexel’s online professional community, turns three this year! With the foundation already established, there is so much opportunity to boost engagement and foster more meaningful connections through the platform. I also want to increase awareness about our dedicated career coach for alumni! My colleague, Arnie Kohen provides complimentary career counseling and job search strategy support to graduates at all career stages – you can take advantage of this amazing resource by signing up here.

What is Dragon Network and what value does it bring to the Drexel community?

Dragon Network is the University’s online professional community for alumni and students to connect with each other and provide professional guidance and support. It serves as a central resource for facilitating career-focused conversations, expanding your Drexel network, and accessing professional development resources. If you have any sort of professional goal in mind, whether you’re a student who wants to reach out to alumni at a prospective co-op employer or a mid-career alumna eager to connect with industry leaders in a new city after relocating, it is very likely that Dragon Network can help. What sets Dragon Network apart is its ability to match you with potential connections based on your experience and interests. One of the biggest challenges with networking or finding a mentor or mentee can be knowing where to start; Dragon Network takes care of this for you!

What advice would you give to someone who is new to Dragon Network?

Setting up your profile in Dragon Network is quick and easy. It takes less than 10 minutes! That being said, my biggest piece of advice is to take 10 minutes to complete your profile – don’t rush through it! I always try to emphasize that the more you put into your profile, the more you’re going to get out of it. Dragon Network streamlines a lot of the profile creation process by allowing you to import your information from LinkedIn. But what people often overlook are the additional “matching quiz” questions, such as the areas in which you’d like to give and receive help. As I mentioned previously, the power of Dragon Network lies in its ability to facilitate quick, meaningful connections. The platform can’t do this if you haven’t shared enough information about yourself. The good news is that you can update your profile and “matching quiz” questions at any time!