Students across UVM and across the country are encouraged to put their academic skills to the test in the real world through internships, service learning, job shadows and others. But finding those real-world opportunities can be challenging. In the vast landscape of career exploration and networking, UVM Connect (University of Vermont’s online community for alums and students) is proving to be a game-changer. Students like Claire Evans ('25) – a neuroscience major on the verge of breaking into the medical field – have begun to use this resource to their advantage.

Claire's college pursuits blend her love for biology with her interest in the human psyche. She set her sights on becoming a Physician Assistant (PA), transferring to UVM as a neuroscience major. While navigating coursework – which requires clinical and research experience – Claire found herself working as a medical scribe in hopes of fulfilling the clinical aspect of her career preparation. The path to PA school involves accumulating a multitude of experiences, including shadowing and volunteering. This is where UVM Connect came into play. “I was looking for [alums] to shadow through UVM Connect,” says Claire. “I got in touch with Anna Hilton, a cardiology PA, I've shadowed her twice now, but I can schedule more.”

For Claire and many students, UVM Connect serves as a bridge to the professional world. "It's good for reaching out to alumni specifically," she notes. “I think that made me feel more comfortable than if I just had a random email from someone who was an alum, I probably would feel kind of weird [reaching out to them].” The platform allowed her to explore profiles, understand career trajectories, and connect with individuals who could provide perspective and guidance. Although not all inquiries yielded responses, the ability to identify alums in her field of interest was crucial.

"I messaged everyone that I could find,” Claire explains. “I used the message function and asked if anyone had time for me to shadow or even just to talk about things, ask questions, just have a contact."

Claire's proactive approach led her to Anna Hilton (a UVM alum and General Cardiology PA at UVM Medical Center in Burlington), who became a pivotal contact. Thanks to Anna, Claire secured shadowing opportunities, and expanded her network. "She sent me an email for a different cardiology PA who does a specific type of imaging. I want the experience so I can get closer to what I want to do.”

“I knew going into PA school and when I graduated that I wanted to be available for students looking to shadow,” says Anna Hilton ('12). “As someone in Vermont with no family or friend connection here previously, I came to the university as an outsider. It was really challenging to find real-life shadowing because I didn’t have a family connection. Many of my peers – who were excellent and great – a lot of their shadowing experiences happened through family networking, like ‘my dad’s a doctor,’ or ‘my mom’s a nurse and she asked this person in her clinic,’ and I kept thinking, ‘what about the people that are just as qualified and smart that just need to be exposed?’ I made a personal promise to myself that I would have availability for people I don’t know that need to see what [the field] is before they invest their life into this career.”

For students testing the waters of networking and UVM Connect, Claire Evans offers practical advice: "Keep your options open and reach out to as many people as possible. Experience is good no matter what type of experience it is. If you make an effort, UVM Connect can help."

Anna echoes these sentiments, adding that the best way to get started with networking is to simply get started. "It’s not always going to play out as you planned," says Anna. "Put the effort in and some of those leads will work out. You don’t get a connection unless you try. You won’t get to shadow everybody but somebody will let you shadow, and that often opens more doors.”