The Power of Second-Tier Alumni Networks

Lucas and Luna explore a counterintuitive networking strategy: leveraging your college or university's 'second-tier' alumni — people who graduated around the same time as you, not the famous ones. They dig into a real example from a University of Michigan engineering grad who, stuck in a career rut, reached out to a fellow alum from his own graduation year who worked at a mid-tier automotive supplier. That connection didn't just lead to a job offer — it led to a completely new career trajectory in supply chain analytics, a field the grad hadn't even considered. Lucas and Luna break down why mid-career alumni are often more responsive than senior executives, how to find them on LinkedIn, and what message actually works. They also touch on the research from sociologist Mark Granovetter on weak ties, showing how these 'just-strong-enough' connections can be more powerful than either close friends or distant strangers. If you've ever felt your alumni network was useless because you don't know the big shots, this episode will change your mind. #AlumniNetworks #SecondTierConnections #WeakTies #MarkGranovetter #UniversityOfMichigan #LinkedInStrategy #CareerPivot #SupplyChainAnalytics #Networking #ProfessionalRelationships #CareerAdvice #JobSearch #InformationalInterview #MidCareer #AlumniOutreach #FexingoBusiness #CareersPodcast #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo