Tea Time

The SOM Program on Entrepreneurship, in partnership with the Career Development Office, has launched an innovative series bringing current students face-to-face with accomplished alumni across technology, entrepreneurship, and investment sectors. Since its debut in spring 2025, the program has offered more than 100 “virtual coffee chats” to SOM students looking for opportunities to connect with leaders who have walked the same halls. More than 75 alums have donated their time and expertise thus far.

"I just want our students to get great jobs," says Kyle Jensen, Shanna and Eric Bass ‘05 Director of Entrepreneurial Programs. "Turns out there's a ton of alumni who have been super successful in tech and they're more than happy to meet current SOMers to offer them a bit of advice."

The format is simple but powerful: intimate virtual sessions where alumni share insights about their career paths, industry trends, and advice for students navigating their own professional journeys. Some speakers are actively recruiting talent for their organizations, while others participate purely to give back to the SOM community and answer questions about breaking into competitive fields.

Recent sessions have featured an impressive roster of entrepreneurial and technical talent. Seth Goldman ‘95, founder of Honest Tea and Just ICE Tea, shared his experience building a mission-driven beverage company from startup to acquisition. Michelle Fradin ‘17, who works in Strategy and Operations at Stripe, provided insight about one of the tech industry's most influential companies and how students can position themselves for roles in high-growth environments.

“I had a great time talking with students from across SOM,” says Julian Love ‘23, Managing Principal at Franklin Templeton Digital Assets. “We had an engaging dialogue about landing a career in VC, my lessons learned in venture, how to stand out in their interviews, and the convergence of crypto and traditional finance. I look forward to staying connected (and hopefully working with) the students who joined.”

What makes these chats particularly valuable is their accessibility and intimacy. Unlike large career panels or formal networking events, these virtual sessions create space for genuine conversation. Students can ask nuanced questions about career pivots, work-life balance in demanding industries, and how to leverage their SOM education in specific contexts. Alumni, freed from the constraints of formal presentations, often share candid insights about their successes and setbacks alike.

Jensen emphasizes the mutual benefits of these connections: "What do people get out of it? Friendships, jobs, a chance to share one's wisdom…so much!"

The program's popularity speaks to a fundamental truth about the SOM experience: alums want to give back in meaningful and tangible ways, and students don't just learn about entrepreneurship and innovation in the classroom – they engage directly with practitioners who are actively shaping these fields.

Students can access upcoming Alumni Virtual Office Hours by searching for Career Development Office events on CampusGroups. Sessions will be scheduled throughout the academic year.