Alumni survey results: valuable insights to bring the network even closer to you!

Respondent profile: a young, dynamic community

The majority of the survey participants were aged between 25 and 39, graduated between 2000 and 2020, and work mainly in the auditing, finance and marketing sectors. Over 60% of them expressed a strong sense of belonging to SKEMA Business School, which proves that students do not lose their school spirit after graduating.

Expectations voiced: more networking and career support 

The results reveal clear expectations:

• 74% of respondents would like more networking opportunities.
• 59% would like more professional events.
• 48% expect career support.

Based on this feedback, we will be expanding our offerings to better meet these specific needs.

What we will be doing:

• More networking events: in 2025, we aim to increase the number of after-work events and networking conferences by (re)launching some new chapters to bring the community together in cities with a large alumni base.
• More professional development support: new mentoring tracks, a more extensive coaching programme, new topics for group workshops and webinars, to name just a few, await you from the start of the 2024-2025 academic year.

Profile of the most engaged respondents:

Participation and interests: key community gatherings

The survey revealed a strong preference for activities that allow participants to build stronger bonds with the community and those that provide networking opportunities. The most popular events include:

• Class and cohort reunions: 75% of respondents really enjoy these reunions, which are an opportunity to wander down memory lane and celebrate shared journeys.
• Alumni after-work networking events: 74% want to attend these informal gatherings which are ideal for engaging in interesting conversations and making new professional contacts in a relaxed atmosphere.
• Talks at industry-specific events: 71% are very interested in these events focused on their areas of expertise, allowing them to keep abreast of developments in their industry and expand their network.
• Targeted events: in response to the strong interest in industry-specific events, we are planning more events focused on key sectors and hot topics such as artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship and human resources.

To meet these expectations, SKEMA Alumni will be expanding its event offering in 2025 to include a mix of face-to-face and hybrid formats so that our alumni can participate from wherever they are in the world. We are also planning more specialised events, targeting specific topics and sectors that are in demand within the community.

Class and cohort reunions will be organised at key moments in the lives of our alumni and programmes. The format for these celebrations scheduled every year will be redesigned to be more dynamic and engaging.

Event themes that get you fired up

The alumni surveyed also expressed a particular interest in certain event themes and formats, including:

• Recruitment, management and talent development: 34% of respondents are interested in discussions on talent management, career development and new HR practices.
• Entrepreneurship: 19% of alumni would like events focused on entrepreneurship, an area that particularly appeals to alumni wanting to start their own business or those already actively involved in innovation projects.
• Digital transformation and AI: 15% of alumni see digital transformation as a major topic to explore, highlighting the importance of these skills in today's world.

Artificial intelligence emerged as one of the most important topics to cover, with 50% of alumni considering it a must. It will now feature more prominently at our upcoming events, in response to the strong demand for this type of content.

Reconnecting alumni: strengthening ties

41% of the alumni surveyed are in contact with SKEMA Alumni at least once a year. This figure is promising, but it also highlights the fact that a significant part of our network has yet to reconnect: 28% of respondents have not yet had the opportunity to interact with the network, yet 50% of them express a strong sense of belonging despite this low level of contact.

64% of respondents were not aware of the opportunities to get involvement with SKEMA Alumni. This strong area for improvement revealed by the survey shows that better communication and increased access to opportunities are needed to rekindle ties and fully mobilise the community.

Our actions to strengthen ties within the community:

1. Optimise communication

Since the start of the 2024 academic year, we have launched more targeted communication campaigns, for example by using segmented newsletters. The aim? To increase the visibility of opportunities for involvement (mentoring, juries, clubs, etc.) so that every alum can find a way to contribute according to their interests and availability.

2. Adapted and inclusive formats 

We are diversifying event formats to make them accessible to everyone, wherever they are. Whether in-person meetups, hybrid sessions or events held 100% online, we aim to break down logistical barriers and make participation easier. 

Professional development: more potential to unlock

The survey also revealed a high level of interest in professional development services: 82% of alumni see these as adding value. However, only 12% have ever used these resources, often due to a lack of time or knowledge of what is available. Now that we are aware of this, we will be rethinking our offering to make it fit better into the busy schedules of our community.

What we are putting in place to support you 

1. Redesigned mentoring programmes 

We are developing simplified, flexible formats to make mentoring accessible to everyone, whatever their schedule or geographical constraints.

2. Workshops and online resources 

We are expanding our range of digital content (webinars, e-learning modules, practical guides) to bring you continuous professional development that is adapted to your pace and needs.

In short, these initiatives are designed to strengthen ties with our alumni and offer services in line with their expectations. Whether you want to get involved, develop your skills or simply stay connected, the SKEMA Alumni network is here to support you. Join us and help us write the next chapter in this great story!

The Alumni team would like to thank all the graduates who took part in this survey.

Note: the percentages and data mentioned reflect the responses of the alumni who took part in the survey and do not represent the entire SKEMA Alumni community.