Oh, the places Techers go!
While some stay on campus to help shape future generations of Techers, others head off to blaze new trails and effect change in places ranging from Iceland and Australia to Antarctica and the thermosphere.
Last spring, Caltech graduated its newest class of alumni— sending 560 new Techers (218 undergraduates and 342 graduates) out into the world. The global alumni network now boasts more than 25,000 Techers working to advance humanity in and beyond their respective communities.
We have thought quite a bit about how to build stronger alumni connections. No matter where you live, work, or play, that sense of community and belonging is paramount in enhancing both your well-being and your ability to help others. Fortunately, access to your Caltech community might be closer than you know.
If you’re like most alumni, you likely don’t know how many Techers live near you—whether that be in the U.S., Germany, Nigeria or Japan. Unless you see a sweatshirt, baseball cap or car with a Caltech vanity plate, it can be difficult to spot a fellow Techer.
Yet, when you see or meet another Techer out in the world, it is always a welcome surprise, right? Unprompted, you launch into a familiar line of questions: “When did you graduate? What house were you? Whose lab? When was the last time you were on campus? Do you know…?” It’s an excellent start to a new friendship or an interesting expansion of your professional network.
Recently, I spoke with a Techer from Houston who didn’t think many Techers lived in his city. I was able to tell him that more than 300 Caltech alumni live in Houston. (Data put it at 333.) “You must be kidding me,” he remarked. “That many?”
“Yes, that many,” I responded. “And we’re going to help you find them.” That goes for you, too, no matter where you live and work— Houston, Boston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Frankfurt, Nairobi, Dakar or Paris.
And the connections run deeper than geography. Techers abound across more industries than ever, including healthcare, energy, manufacturing, the law, and agriculture. How many alumni are professors, work in labs or help lead companies like Google or Microsoft? How many are at Boeing or Airbus?
Caltech’s list of “Who’s Who and Who’s Where” is almost endless. It also is a network you can leverage across generations as you navigate all facets of your life from personal to professional.
As we continue to improve access and expand this network, we have a humble request: Can you commit to helping build the most robust alumni network in the world? If the answer is yes, there are three simple things you can do:
1. Register in the Caltech Alumni Portal using your LinkedIn profile to authenticate.
2. Join Techers at virtual and live programs (COVID-permitting). CAA might be coming to a city near you soon.
3. Watch for a Caltech Alumni Census. Complete it, return it, and help us discover better ways to expand your Techer network. CAA will share the big data with the broader alumni community.
One last favor: start sporting Caltech gear when you’re out-and-about. I suspect you’ll be pleasantly surprised at whom you’ll meet!
Ralph E. Amos
Executive Director, Caltech Alumni Association
