>> Is there a path to becoming an alumni director?
Actually, there is no prescribed path, and the ways you get
into this line of work are all over the map.
A lot of people come out of a communications background, a marketing background.
Many years ago, there was a clearer path in that a lot of former journalists, reporters,
media folks were hired in this job because communication skills are such a big part of it
and they remain a big part of it.
But there are people who get into my line of work who have been, oh, business executives,
directors of non-profit organizations.
It can be all over the map.
But communication skills are paramount, organization skills are very important,
and certainly personological traits, I mean, you got to have enthusiasm for what you do
or you're not going to be successful.
So you got to have people skills.
You have to know how to engage, inspire, and motivate folks.
So it really -- it's a strange grab bag of traits that you have to bring to this job,
but those who are successful are able to, you know, work hard, work long,
manage an organization, and yet provide some aspect of inspiring and motivating others.