Notre Dame launches new career services program for alumni

Author: Angela Sienko

Alumni Association Logo

The University of Notre Dame Alumni Association, in collaboration with the University’s Career Center, Mendoza College of Business and Notre Dame Law School, has established ONWARD: Alumni Career Development, a comprehensive career and networking program.

The ONWARD Web site (http://alumni.nd.edu/career) provides tools for job seekers and those looking to network with other alumni. It includes job postings, webinars on career topics, links to articles, and access to the alumni mentor program. In addition, there are career advisors available to answer questions and provide guidance.

“We recognize the hardship that this economy is causing,” said Marc Burdell, senior director of professional programs for the Alumni Association. “We want to be as responsive as possible and help our more than 123,000 alumni leverage the strength of the University and our alumni network to help get them through this tough time.”


The program’s main components include the following:

  • Career Catalyst provides step-by-step guides and resources to help alumni define their career interests, set goals, market themselves, advance their careers and achieve professional satisfaction. It includes career searches, self-marketing campaigns, networking techniques and tips on maintaining a healthy working environment.
  • The Notre Dame Alumni Group on the LinkedIn networking site has grown to more than 10,000 members. The space allows alumni to post profiles, resumes and cover letters that they can then make available to prospective employers, who can post positions for job seekers through the same system.
  • Search engines include Indeed and OneWire, both of which are available through ONWARD. In addition, CareerShift is an innovative search engine that allows alumni to search jobs across all boards alongside up-to-date contact information for the companies. The site includes a “school attended” search field through which alumni can locate industry professionals or employees who are Notre Dame graduates.
  • The Savvy Landings series of online video seminars provide easy access to job information.


The ONWARD Web site also features a calendar of events for upcoming educational seminars across the country, and alumni can register to work with one of 4,000 Notre Dame alumni mentors.

Assistance with navigating ONWARD is available by sending an e-mail message to onward@alumni.edu or by calling 206-350-3949.

Contact: Marc Burdell, 574-631-8467, or mburdell@nd.edu