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Tyler D'Amore �Ӱ�ԭ��14, �Ӱ�ԭ��16 M.S. understands if college students could find it a bit intimating to be asked questions about their plans for the future. He found, though, that the Chargers taking part in a �Ӱ�ԭ��mock networking�Ӱ�ԭ�� event hosted by the Career Development Center and the Office of Alumni Relations as part of Homecoming weekend were up to the challenge.

�Ӱ�ԭ��The students I met are very ambitious, and they impressed me with their communication skills,�Ӱ�ԭ�� he said.

As a member of the board of directors for the University�Ӱ�ԭ��s Alumni Association, D�Ӱ�ԭ��Amore says it is his priority to help bridge the gap between alumni and current students. �Ӱ�ԭ��The time I had as a student here really impacted me,�Ӱ�ԭ�� he said. �Ӱ�ԭ��I try to come back to campus as often as possible.�Ӱ�ԭ��

Staying engaged with his alma mater and giving back to help current students is deeply personal to D�Ӱ�ԭ��Amore and his wife, Erika (Williams) D�Ӱ�ԭ��Amore �Ӱ�ԭ��15, �Ӱ�ԭ��16 M.S.

�Ӱ�ԭ��Us meeting on campus led us to getting married, buying a house in West Haven, having children, and starting our family here,�Ӱ�ԭ�� said Tyler. �Ӱ�ԭ��The University of New Haven really gave our family a lot.�Ӱ�ԭ��

�Ӱ�ԭ��They have that drive�Ӱ�ԭ��

Among the more than 30 students and alumni participating in the special event was Kim Rowland �Ӱ�ԭ��99, a sales manager for . She says she always tries to hire sale interns from the University.

�Ӱ�ԭ��I have found that the students here have to work and go to school, so they have a lot of grit,�Ӱ�ԭ�� she said. �Ӱ�ԭ��The Career Development Center has always been good to me in supporting the roles that I have to fill, and I thought this was a great opportunity to help current students learn how to network.�Ӱ�ԭ��

Rowland described the students she interacted with as very polished. �Ӱ�ԭ��They come from all different backgrounds, and they have that drive,�Ӱ�ԭ�� she said.

Samantha Williams �Ӱ�ԭ��10, president of , said the level of professionalism among the students participating was very strong.

�Ӱ�ԭ��I saw a lot of leadership skills and abilities,�Ӱ�ԭ�� she said. �Ӱ�ԭ��I think it is important to invest in the future generations and teach them things such as networking and tools and strategies they can take with them in their careers.�Ӱ�ԭ��

�Ӱ�ԭ��I was very impressed�Ӱ�ԭ��

Kelonda Maull �Ӱ�ԭ��12, executive director of , said she wishes she had opportunities like this when she was an undergrad.

�Ӱ�ԭ��I was very impressed,�Ӱ�ԭ�� she said. �Ӱ�ԭ��I�Ӱ�ԭ��m always in the spirit of giving back and supporting the next generation of leaders.

�Ӱ�ԭ��Once you are a Charger, you are always a Charger, continued Maull. �Ӱ�ԭ��To be part of the University community at this point in my career is important to me.�Ӱ�ԭ��

Before the networking began, Matt Caporale, executive director of the Career Development Center, offered a presentation about the art and science of networking.

�Ӱ�ԭ��Networking is about relationships and making connections,�Ӱ�ԭ�� he said, explaining that one�Ӱ�ԭ��s network is similar to a spider web. As a spider moves, or one�Ӱ�ԭ��s network grows, it makes ripples across the web.

�Ӱ�ԭ��You have to spend some time getting to know other individuals because you have to find your way around that web,�Ӱ�ԭ�� he said.