DIGITAL NETWORKING
out, but also to be able to select some relating to their own interests in advance, customising their path based on their focus areas, their preferences and the time they have available. Furthermore, every student has the chance to make one-on-one connections. Each student is assigned to a professional career coach, with whom they can conduct up to 10 regular meetings while attempting to gain their master’s qualification. They interact with these coaches on planning their career and allowing them to stay connected with the job market, as well as with the academic environment. For those who want more one-to-one access, an alumnus is also assigned as a mentor, with whom they can also discuss how to combine their studies with their personal life.
These initiatives not only facilitate student engagement but also promote a sense of belonging and a support network that enriches each student’s educational and professional experience. The alumni community as an essential network Too often, however, the focus on networking relates to the time spent studying for the master’s degree, rather than placing sufficient emphasis on maintaining the network that has been created, once the programme has been completed. The aspect relating to upkeep and the ability to cultivate these relationships is just as important and it should be actively maintained. At Polimi, we’ve also added the option of continuing to enjoy some of the master’s services, such as participation in career support events and in a number of educational activities, in the two years following the end of an executive MBA programme. These also represent vitally important networking opportunities, allowing students to build their relational capital for a longer and more substantial period. Ultimately, at our school we believe very much in the alumni community as a network fundamental to maintaining valuable relationships: dedicated events, opportunities for continuous learning and thematic clubs are effective tools in this area. It’s clearly evident, therefore, that even remotely, by prioritising networking during an online programme, you’re investing not just in your education, but in your future career and personal development. “At our school we believe very much in the alumni community as a network fundamental to maintaining valuable relationships”
BIOGRAPHY Following completion of her PhD and after having had a successful career in consulting, Antonella Moretto became an associate professor of supplier relationship management at Polimi Graduate School of Management in Milan in 2015. In January 2020, alongside her teaching, she took on a new position at the business school as the associate dean for open programmes. In this role, Moretto’s responsibility involves ensuring students have the best educational experience possible
Ambition • ISSUE 3 • 2025 21
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