SC&I’s annual career networking event, the “Mingle,” held virtually on November 30, 2022, lived up to its mission: to connect SC&I students with the school’s ever-expanding network of alumni, and to provide an opportunity for alumni to assist students as they plan their own career journeys in the communication, journalism and media, and information industries.

Director of Student Services for Careers Ildi Koczan headed up the organization of this year's Mingle event with the assistance of David Janes MCM ‘24 and support from our CES campus partners Toi Tyson and Aaron Ratzan.

Koczan said the event attracted 175 participants, including alumni who were as close by as North Brunswick, New Jersey to as far away as Hawaii. Koczan credited the Rutgers Alumni Association for their assistance which enabled her to recruit so many talented alumni from all over the country to attend the event.

The event began with a welcome message by SC&I Interim Dean Dafna Lemish, who discussed SC&I’s learning and community environment and the importance of networking followed by some opening remarks from Toi Tyson, CES on campus, and alumni collaborations and support.

Koczan said the event attracted 175 participants, including alumni who were as close by as North Brunswick, New Jersey to as far away as Hawaii.

Before the breakout room sessions, alumni and students enjoyed a few games to help everyone connect and engage.

Following Lemish’s opening remarks, the students were separated into online breakout rooms that corresponded with their career interests.

In the breakout rooms, SC&I alumnae and alumni discussed their career paths with the students, and suggested ways the students can achieve similar successes.

Far from being a stuffy, formal event, students were encouraged to ask the alums questions ranging from the light-hearted to the serious, and the alums presented themselves as open books. The friendly, low-key environment helped to build rapport between them during the breakout sessions.

At its core, the aim of the annual Mingle is “not to highlight individual stories, but rather to showcase different types of careers our alumni have successfully pursued, and put the focus on enabling students and alums to interact,” said Koczan.  

Learn more about Career Assistance and Support for students at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information on the website.