Interview Questions to Ask School Alumni When They Visit

When school alumni visit, it's a great opportunity to ask them questions about their experiences and what they've learned since graduating.

Here are some interview questions to ask school alumni when they visit.

Regrets not doing while still here in school

Now that you've graduated for a few years, what do you wish you had done while you were a student back then?

When speaking with alumni, be sure to ask about any regrets they had while still students.

Hindsight is always perfect, and while you don't have the luxury of looking back (since you're in the situation itself), ask the alumni who are a couple of years older.

You know what they say.. with age comes wisdom and experience.

Alumni can also offer advice on how to make the most of your time in school.

Their experience in balancing between being happy (leisure) and serious work (studying)

What advice would you give to current students who are struggling to balance between being happy and working hard?

It can be tough to find the right balance between work and play, but it's important to remember that both are important parts of life.

Get a few pieces of advice from someone who's been there. This will better help you weigh your options and focus college life on your strengths so that you work and play optimally.

This will give you valuable insight into what your own experience as a student might be like.

Their recount should be like a balancing act:

1. Their role as a child of parents, plus,
2. a partner in a boy-girl relationship, and,
3. a student who needs to score good grades to get into uni, a scholarship or a coveted course

They might say:

1. Make time for things that make you happy. It doesn't have to be big – even just taking a few minutes each day for yourself can make a world of difference.
2. Don't forget why you're doing this in the first place. It's easy to get caught up in the grind and lose sight of your goals, but remembering why you're working hard will help keep you motivated.
3. Talk to someone if you're feeling overwhelmed. It's okay to ask for help – nobody expects you to do everything on your own!

But.

A big but.

Hear from them - your school seniors, alumni. They will be better at telling stories you can relate to.

On life choices: Picking a career path or trade

What advice would you have for students who are trying to decide on a career path or trade?

Getting some long term outlook and advice is something you can ask from your school seniors and alumni students when they return to their alma mater to visit.

There is no one answer that fits everyone, but here are four pieces of advice that may help you make your decision (or possibly more if you ask them):

1. Do some research and explore different options. There are many resources available online and in libraries. Solo-preneurs may also tell you sob stories of how they tried and failed, but picked themselves up again - they've been through the hard, unbeaten path.
2. Talk to people who work in the field you're interested in. They can provide first-hand insights about how the job interview process is like, kill off nervousness, tips to do well in phone screenings, face-to-face interviews. Plus, they may share what the job is really like from the inside (insider info!).
3. Consider your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your interests and values when making your decision.
4. Try out different things before settling on one particular option – internships, part-time jobs, etcetera – so that you can gain experience and get a feel for the work involved before committing to it long term.

Conclusion & More Questions to Ask

When alumni visit the school, be sure to ask them about their time at the school and what they are doing now.

Alumni can offer valuable insights into the student experience, so take advantage of their willingness to share their experiences with you.

Here are some more questions to ask alumni to get you really ready before your discussion or interview:

1. What was your favorite part of your time at the school?
2. Do you have any advice for current students?
3. What did you wish you had known when you were a student here?
4. What is your fondest memory of your time at the school?

Interview questions above should give you some valuable insights, ultimately into what to expect at your new college / school and what to prepare for in your own journey.

If you are still in the application stage, even better. Most alumni won't hesitate but walk you through (and provide tips) for the college admissions and interview process.

Alumni are a great resource. Don't be nervous, ask away.