Ready for What’s Next: Dickinson Expands Lifelong Career Support
Initiative provides tools for every career stage
by MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson
Dickinson is rolling out new and expanded career-development resources for alumni that begin during the first years after graduation and thread throughout their professional lives. We call this suite of resources Dickinson Next.
Made possible through the support of alumni donors, Dickinson Next helps alumni translate the nimbleness, breadth and depth they’ve acquired through a world-class liberal-arts education into impactful, adaptable 21st-century careers. That’s essential in today's working world, where people commonly change employers and careers, and some reinvent their professional lives more than once.
Each new chapter brings its own opportunities and challenges—and, often, questions about how to get from A to B. Dickinson Next is here to help, every step of the way.
“We’re excited to offer these robust resources, which stand to benefit our entire alumni community,” says President John E. Jones III ’77, P’11, who has a 360-degree view of that community as a Dickinson alum, parent and leader. “It’s an affirmation that one of the greatest gifts of a Dickinson education is that the learning, mentorship and connection continue to grow throughout our graduates’ lives.”
New and expanded resources
This year, the college is offering enhanced career-development events for alumni. Keep an eye out for Dickinson Next events on campus, online and through regional alumni networks. They’ll include industry-specific programs as well as more universal skill-building and networking opportunities.
Dickinson’s new professional networks make it easy to stay in the know about the events and resources most relevant to you:
- arts, media & communications
- business & finance
- data, tech & engineering
- environment, natural resources & sustainability
- health, wellness & human services
- life science & scientific research
- nonprofit, education & social impact
- policy, law & government
A directory of career coaches will streamline access to Dickinson-approved, certified experts who can offer personalized, up-to-date guidance. (This service is recommended for alumni who’ve been in the workforce for at least two years.) All alumni are eligible for one hour of complimentary career coaching. Continued coaching, offered directly by the Dickinson network coach, will be available at a reduced rate.
To optimize your own career coach directory use—and help create successful career pathways for all alumni—simply update your job title, employer and contact information as needed.
Helping bring these initiatives to life is Sara Sabourin, Dickinson’s associate director of alumni career programs—a new position created through financial support from alumni and friends of the college.
“I'm thrilled to join the Dickinson community and support the launch of Dickinson Next,” says Sabourin, who discovered the impact of professional networks and programming through previous work with college communities and employers in the Tampa Bay area. “I look forward to working with Dickinson's accomplished alumni to build a vibrant community that supports career exploration, professional development and meaningful connections for years to come.”
The initiative reflects a broader commitment to the long-term value of a Dickinson education, says Steve Smith ’92, chair of Dickinson’s Board of Trustees.
“When we invest in alumni, we strengthen the entire Dickinson community. Dickinson Next builds on the lifelong value of a Dickinson education by expanding access to career guidance, professional connections and continuing education, while creating more opportunities for alumni to share their experience and open doors for fellow Dickinsonians. It’s an investment not just in where our graduates are today, but in where they want to go next.”
A boost for our youngest alumni
Two forthcoming Dickinson Next initiatives will enhance support during the critical first two years after college, known as “bridge years.” These Young Alumni Bridge Programs, established through seed money from a generous alumnus, will create tailored opportunities to connect regionally and on campus with fellow young alums through college-sponsored networking and social events.
The Continuing Career Education Fund supports the success of qualifying bridge-year alumni in a rapidly changing job market. It provides for one-time grants that can be applied to funding in-person or virtual classes aimed toward developing additional hard skills that bridge-year alumni need to be successful in their intended career. Priority is given to alumni who are unemployed or underemployed within one to two years of graduation; are not enrolled in graduate school or participating in full-time volunteer or military service within one year of graduating from Dickinson; and/or are returning to the workforce after an extended sabbatical.
These resources combine to create a powerful toolbox for success, says Alumni Council member Will Tsang '06, a leader in corporate communications. “Careers rarely follow a straight line, and having a trusted community to turn to along the way can make a real difference," he notes. “I’m excited about Dickinson Next as it gives alumni greater access to coaching, professional networks and career development opportunities, while helping the next generation of Dickinson graduates build confidence and momentum as they begin their journey.”
Built on a solid foundation
The success of Dickinson Next is rooted in a solid foundation of existing alumni career resources, as the college continues to offer all alumni career coaching through the Center for Career Development. Whether navigating a professional transition, searching for new opportunities, seeking growth in a current role or hoping to develop new skills, there is a coach ready to help.
Access to our dynamic global alumni network also continues through the college’s Alumni Directory, regional alumni communities and on-campus and online alumni events, classes and webinars. Additionally, the college’s LinkedIn community is five groups and more than 8K members strong, and alumni may still connect to employment databases and resources through Handshake.
Getting involved
Alumni are helping to shape the Dickinson Next program as alumni network volunteers, by attending Dickinson Next events and through philanthropic support of these initiatives. They include Don Nagle ’76 and Cindy Stites ’77, whose recent gift to the college has provided for expanded career-development opportunities for both alumni and students.
Both Nagle and Stites experienced their own midcareer transitions and witnessed family and friends navigate nonlinear careers. “We wanted to help shorten the learning curve” for fellow Dickinsonians, says Nagle. “We thought that if Dickinson can offer a world-class academic experience, it would be great to also offer a world-class career experience.”
That strong sense of community is the secret sauce of Dickinson Next’s success. "We’re seeing our alumni carry their preparation into the world and open doors for fellow Dickinsonians in so many ways,” says Jones. “That's the power of this place.”
Contact Sara Sabourin to learn more about how to be involved with Dickinson Next.
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
Published November 9, 2026