Resources for Young Alumni

Department Overview

Welcome to young alumnihood ! 1  You are a part of a global community of over 20,000 Swarthmore alumni. As a young alum, you may be wondering what comes next. While we can’t necessarily answer that question on a philosophical level (you’ll have to talk to other Swatties for that), we can certainly help you access the Swarthmore tools, resources, and communities that are available to you – on campus and virtually. In fact, we’ve created a course of study, of sorts, to help guide you along the way, whether it’s your first year or fourteenth of being a young alum.

1 young•alum  /ˈjʌŋ • əˈlʌm/   / noun 1. the youngest members of an institution's alumni community. 2. at Swarthmore College, defined as a graduate of the last 14 years.

 

Prereq. GRAD 2025
Congratulations to the Class of 2025! You’ve accomplished so much in your time at Swarthmore — mastering fields of learning, participating in extracurricular activities, and developing lifelong friendships. As you prepare to walk across the stage at Commencement, we want you to know that generations of alumni stand ready to support you in all of your future endeavors. Explore this site to familiarize yourself with the resources available to you as part of the global Swarthmore alumni network. Welcome to alumnihood!

Syllabus

Welcome to Alumnihood

Whether you’re starting your first job, beginning grad school, or simply exploring what’s next, our series of Welcome to Alumnihood events give you a chance to connect with fellow young alumni. 

See upcoming Welcome to Alumnihood events
A view of Philadelphia's skyline beyond Clothier bell tower

Young Alumni Links

YA 001: Foundations and Connections

Update Your Contact Info

They say once a Swattie, always a Swattie – but your student email address doesn’t last quite as long. Update your contact information and email preferences to connect with classmates, stay up-to-date on campus news, and be invited to regional events.

Access Your Online Community

The Swarthmore Alumni Online Community allows you to find alumni in your area, connect with alumni who have common interests or professions, find mentorship opportunities, and more.

Find Your People

No matter where you are in the world, you can always find other Swatties who share your interests or experiences. Connect with alumni- or College-run social media accounts or learn more about Swarthmore’s affinity groups.

Attend an Event

Whether you’re interested in traveling back to campus, connecting with Swatties in your area, or meeting new people virtually, Swarthmore offers a wide variety of alumni events and signature programs.

YA 099: Alumni Practicum: Resources and Tools

Get Career Advice

Finding your footing in the professional world can be a challenge, but Swarthmore Career Services is available for advice, networking, mentorship opportunities, and more.

Access Digital Journals & Research Tools

Missing those late-night research sessions? As an alum, you still have access to online journals including JSTOR, SAGE Journals and Videos, CQ Magazine and CQ Press Library, Adam Matthew Primary Sources Collection, Mango Languages, and Project Muse.

Nurture Your Curiosity

We all know that the Swarthmore academic experience is uniquely rigorous and thoughtful. Luckily, this remains true even after graduation thanks to book groups, discussion groups, lectures, Lifelong Learning courses, and more. 

Request a Transcript

Chances are you’ll need to request a transcript at some point — whether  you’re embarking on graduate or post-bac studies, or even applying for certain jobs.

YA 199: Alumni Capstone: Securing Swarthmore’s Future

Volunteer

Whether you help plan your class reunion, organize a regional event, or engage in any number of ways to enhance the student experience, alumni volunteers make meaningful and lasting contributions on behalf of the College. We even have a volunteer group specifically for young alums like you: YAAP, the Young Alumni Ambassador Program. 

Give Back

Just like First Collection, Primal Scream, and Crum Regatta – to name only a few –  giving back is an important Swarthmore tradition that enriches the lives of students. We hope you’ll honor your time at Swarthmore by taking part. A gift of any size can make a lasting impact on current and future students.