October 30, 2026
Linda Blaser
Speed Networking 2026 sparks 3,000 networking opportunities
Speed Networking drew a record 172 professionals to campus on Thursday, October 22 for this signature Gorter Family Career Advancement Center fall event.
Nine-minute rounds. Nine rotations. Thousands of connections made. This is the format for the Gorter Family Career Advancement Center’s Speed Networking, which aims to bring students and working professionals across industries together for an evening of connection and skill-building.
Speed Networking provides students an opportunity to showcase their talents, gain insight into today’s professional world and hiring opportunities, and get connected to the Forester Network.
“The event gave me new meaningful connections, and a peek into what I want to be in the future.”
“I attended Speed Networking to broaden my horizons and make meaningful connections,” Min Kyaw ’27, politics major and public policy minor, said. “The event gave me new meaningful connections, and a peek into what I want to be in the future.”
By the numbers
• > 3,000 connections
• 172 professional attendees
• 53% of professionals were LFC alumni
• 333 student attendees
• 2:1 average ratio of students to professionals
• 9 networking rounds
• 9 employer spotlight booths
• 1 international alumni booth
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I connected with professionals from a wide range of companies and industries, learning about their experiences, challenges, and insights, as well as receiving valuable advice to help guide my future career. A big thank you to all the professionals who took the time to connect with students and share their knowledge and experiences. I truly appreciate the opportunity to learn from you all! I look forward to staying connected and continuing to learn from these conversations!
—Christian Jimenez ’27, data science major
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I attended Speed Networking for the opportunity to connect with individuals from diverse professional and academic backgrounds, especially within public service and law because I am currently considering law school or exploring roles that allow me to stay involved in the legal field. Additionally, this event was a great opportunity to practice active listening and ask thoughtful follow-up questions to gain insightful and meaningful conversations.
—Valerie Guerrero ’27, French and international relations double major
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One of the most valuable parts of the experience was hearing firsthand how professionals navigated their careers and learning about the different opportunities available across various industries. These conversations gave me a better understanding of how classroom learning translates into the professional world and encouraged me to continue exploring my interests and potential career paths. As I continue developing my interests in business and data analytics, I’m grateful for opportunities like this that allow me to learn from others, broaden my perspective, and build meaningful professional connections.
—Abigail Evans ’29, business major
Alumni attend in full force
This year, alumni turnout was especially strong with 91 in attendance, making up 53 percent of all professional participants.
“I enjoy sharing my personal and professional experiences helping students explore career opportunities and offering guidance as they navigate their professional future,” Peter Dubois ’85, Senior Vice President / Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley, said.
“It is inspiring to see how talented and capable the students are and to hopefully have a positive impact on their career journeys. It is a great way to cultivate a pipeline for hiring.”
View photos from the event
Interested in seeing more photos from the event? Check out our gallery!
