When Zahra Jarrell ’29, a public relations major in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, had questions about breaking into sports administration and sports media, she wasn’t sure where to turn.

That’s when she discovered Ask Orange Alumni, the Syracuse University Alumni Association’s artificial intelligence (AI)-powered networking tool that’s modernizing how the Orange community connects.

Breaking Down Barriers to Mentorship

Ask Orange Alumni eliminates traditional networking hurdles. Students and alumni visit the website, submit questions and let AI work behind-the-scenes to find alumni matches. Faculty and staff members can also use the tool to identify guest speakers and bring themselves up-to-date on current industry trends.

For Jarrell, this process opened unexpected doors.

“I spoke to many alumni from different class years who currently work in sports administration and sports media,” she says. “We talked about career paths in sports administration and PR, the importance of networking and they offered insightful advice about navigating opportunities as a student and building professional connections early on.”

The Power of Giving Back

Alumni like Jeffrey Wells G’23, who earned an MBA from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, have found responding to fellow Orange community members fulfilling.

“The experience has been very rewarding,” Wells says. “The feedback I have received from alumni is that they not only value but also appreciate my input. I am grateful that I have had a chance to help other Syracuse alumni.”

Building Confidence and Community

The impact goes beyond simple question-and-answer exchanges. For Jarrell, connecting with multiple alumni provided confidence and direction.

“It was such a valuable experience, giving me a clearer sense of direction and making me feel more confident about pursuing my goals at Syracuse and beyond.”

Wells sees the bigger picture: “Ask Orange Alumni is a great idea for a forum where Orange alumni can help other Orange alumni and students. I hope that it continues to grow.”

How to Get Involved

Whether you’re a current student seeking guidance, a recent graduate navigating early career decisions or an established alum ready to give back, Ask Orange Alumni makes connections effortless.

For students and alumni seeking advice: Visit Ask Orange Alumni, submit questions and receive personalized responses from alumni who’ve been in your shoes. Be sure to say thank you to the alumni who step up to help!

For alumni ready to help: Keep your information current for better matching, respond to questions that align with your expertise and choose how you’d like to help—answer in the system, offer virtual meetings or suggest in-person connections.

Join the Growing Orange Network

Ask Orange Alumni is a bridge connecting generations of Syracuse graduates and current students, fostering authentic relationships that define the Orange experience.

Ready to be part of this story? Visit Ask Orange Alumni and discover how Orange connections can transform your career journey.