A recent survey of Alpha Sigma undergraduates offers an interesting snapshot of the career aspirations, professional interests, and expectations of our current members. The responses reflect a group with ambitious goals, a strong interest in professional achievement, and a growing appreciation for the value of the Chi Psi alumni network.
Business, finance, and real estate are among the most popular career interests. Many students expect to move directly into the workforce following graduation, with particular interest in investment banking, private equity, wealth management, asset management, consulting, and commercial real estate. New York and Charlotte were frequently mentioned as potential destinations, along with other major business centers. Several students already have specific employers or positions in mind, while others are still exploring their options.
Other members are pursuing paths in medicine, dentistry, law, government, public policy, and international relations. For some, the year immediately following graduation will serve as a bridge to professional school, providing time for employment, research, travel, or additional experience. Others hope to pursue graduate degrees, fellowships, teaching opportunities, or service-oriented work. A few have entrepreneurial ambitions, including plans to launch businesses of their own.
Looking further ahead, the students’ long-term goals reveal an especially strong entrepreneurial streak. Many aspire not simply to build successful careers but eventually to own businesses, become partners, lead organizations, or establish their own investment ventures. Commercial real estate development, venture capital, private equity, and business ownership are recurring ambitions. Healthcare and law also represent important career interests, while others envision leadership roles in technology, sports, media, government, and other specialized fields. Although some members have yet to settle on a particular direction, the overall picture is one of considerable ambition and professional diversity.
Perhaps the most revealing survey results concern how undergraduates would like alumni to help them. The overwhelming message is that members want access to the experience, professional connections, and mentorship of Chi Psi alumni. Networking and personal introductions were the most frequently identified needs. Students recognize that the fraternity’s alumni network can provide valuable connections to internships, first jobs, shadowing opportunities, research experiences, and professionals working in fields they hope to enter.
They also want opportunities to develop relationships with individual alumni who can serve as mentors and sounding boards. Hearing how alumni navigated their own careers—from their first positions after UNC to the opportunities and challenges that shaped their professional lives—is particularly appealing. Students are interested not only in established career paths but also in learning about less familiar industries and opportunities they might not otherwise encounter.
Practical career guidance is another priority. Members would welcome assistance with recruiting, resumes, interviewing, professional networking, and navigating competitive industries. They also expressed interest in more career-oriented programming, including industry-specific panels, speaker programs, informal conversations with alumni, and a directory of alumni organized by professional field. Areas of particular interest include finance and wealth management, commercial real estate, medicine, dentistry, law, public policy, marketing, and international relations.
Ultimately, the survey reinforces an important opportunity for Alpha Sigma: our alumni network can be one of the fraternity’s most valuable resources for undergraduate members. The students are asking for more than occasional career advice. They want meaningful relationships with alumni who are willing to share their experiences, provide guidance, make introductions, and help open doors.
For alumni, this represents an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the professional development of the next generation of Chi Psi brothers. Whether through a brief conversation, an introduction to a colleague, an internship opportunity, or an ongoing mentoring relationship, even modest involvement can have a lasting impact. Our members are preparing to enter an increasingly complex professional world, and the collective experience and connections of Alpha Sigma alumni can help them navigate that transition successfully.
If you are interested in assisting with mentoring the undergraduates, contact Kurt Gilliland ’92 (kogillil@med.unc.edu).