As of next fall, Career Services hopes to start matchmaking between employers and a whole new section of the U community?alumni.

On average, someone will change jobs seven times and careers twice, according to Pat Steigauf, who holds the recently created position of alumni career counselor.

Displaced by downsizing, a need for a change or other factors, experienced employees may have lost some of their job-search skills. The Alumni Career Services Program is intended to help sharpen those skills and provide connections to employers.

After four or five years at their first career-oriented job, a job seeker is no longer considered entry level, Steigauf said. So the program will focus on finding and filling experienced, professional-level positions.

Other than a database of alumni used as a mentoring resource for new graduates, Career Services has had little interaction with this group. It is partnering with the Alumni Association to offer this program.