BCIT’s Architectural Science (ARSC) and Architectural Connections programs co-hosted Alumnight 2017 for faculty, students, and alumni. The BCIT Alumni Association and Thinkspace Architecture also helped out with contributions to the event. The intimate crowd gathered at the Downtown BCIT campus to learn about future opportunities and to catch up with familiar faces.
From the ground up
In the past, the ARSC department would organize a talk with Ron Kato, the ARSC program head, faculty, and alum guest speakers to speak to the graduating class. The goal of the event was to present students with advice and information on their career or future education options. For the first time this year, the Architectural Connections club was asked to collaborate and spruce things up.
The student-run club, Architectural Connections, was the lead organizer for this event. Instead of doing another talk, the concept was to create an intimate networking experience where students, alumni, and faculty could interact on a more personal level. The club tackled all marketing aspects such as promotions, sending out invites to guests, along with photography and videography during the event.
To varying degrees, all parties financially contributed to the event including BCIT’s Alumni Association and the industry sponsor, Thinkspace Architecture.
Alumni connections
One ARSC student was especially excited by the number of alums in attendance.
“I liked the energy in the room and I was impressed by how many alumni showed up! It was a great opportunity to talk with them about BCIT.”
Impressive is an understatement – the turnout was commendable. Approximately 100 attendees gathered at the Downtown Burnaby campus and close to half of the crowd were BCIT alumni. This gave students an incredible 1:1 ratio to network with graduates and professionals.
BCIT alumni are eager to connect with students, and they are eager to help them transition to life beyond their studies. One alum explained the importance of giving advice to students.
“It’s great to have a chance to connect with students and to give them advice that I would’ve wanted to hear when I was in school.”
But it was not just advice that circulated around the networking floor. Fourth year ARSC student projects were on display, which gave alums the opportunity to ask students about their design concepts. It also gave them a chance to learn about changes to the Architectural Science Program.
“Great event! I enjoyed seeing people I haven’t seen in years. It’s interesting to see how the ARSC program has grown since I was a student.”
Information was shared throughout the night, and these interactions solidified new bonds between the learning sphere and the professional sphere.
Photos, and the following event recap video, were kindly provided by Architectural Connections.