An ‘Alum from Day One’ strategy permeates across the University of New South Wales Business School in Australia. The school constantly reminds its 80,000-plus alumni that they are part of a cohesive network. ‘By participating in student and academic life you are actively shaping the culture, values and traditions of the Business School,’ explains the webpage dedicated to Alum from Day One. ‘This makes you an integral part of the UNSW Business School and alumni communities. Your involvement, engagement, and commitment are the hallmarks of being an alum from day one.’ The school's programming for students and alumni reinforce the reflective, supportive culture. Structured mentorship, alumni-led business case studies, and industry-focused networking events are available in Sydney and across the globe. What makes this case unique? The school coordinates its programming from this core belief of Alum from Day One. We can all create our own Alum from Day One thinking, as new or seasoned alumni. This is our Day One. We can start over. We can reflect on our past and how our evolving alumni capital can affect our future.

Reflection is a continuous process of self-awareness and personal alignment. While both time-consuming and challenging, reflection leads to immense returns. ‘The process of personal alignment may begin with the commencement speaker who urges you to reflect on the advantages you’ve been given and how you will apply them in the years ahead,’ explains Jay Lorsch and Thomas Tierney in their book Aligning the Stars. ‘But if it stops there, you’re in trouble because the challenge of leading a fulfilling life lies in consistent attention to your own priorities.’ Hyperawareness of alumni opportunities allows us to keep an eye on the prize – our key priorities – and view the university in a more strategic way. This book challenges us to reinvent our relationship with our alma mater from strangers to life partners.

An alumni speaker in class, a welcome BBQ organized by the alumni association, ‘Class of ‘ paraphernalia – not all ‘Alum from Day One’ strategies are obvious. The sentiment is the same: our alma mater wishes to keep in touch from the moment we step onto campus until well after our graduation day. From day one, we hold multiple identities with the university.