What is WhartonConnect?
WhartonConnect is Wharton’s new alumni online portal, which will enable alumni to better connect with each other and with the School. The new system replaces WAVE, our existing online alumni platform. Alumni volunteers have been heavily involved in the selection and tailoring of WhartonConnect for alumni. This process has ensured that the needs of both individual users and alumni clubs will be met through this easy-to-use system. Many thanks are due to those alumni volunteers who expended time and effort to ensure that we developed the best product offering for Wharton alumni.
How is WhartonConnect different from WAVE?
WhartonConnect has several features that did not exist in WAVE. One such feature is a new single sign-on designed to eliminate the need for multiple usernames and passwords within Wharton club sites and the main online community.
Other benefits to alumni include an enhanced search capability, making it easier to navigate through an extensive alumni network to find classmates and to contact fellow alumni. Searches can be performed by name, region, alumni club membership, industry, or specific program. In addition, personal profiles can be managed with greater ease, making networking amongst alumni more up-to-date and dynamic.
Whether alumni travel nationally or internationally they may wish to take advantage of the many Wharton activities that occur across the globe. The Calendar of Events featured on WhartonConnect allows the user to view all Wharton-related activities taking place throughout the year. Prior to traveling, alumni can log on to WhartonConnect to find out about the next gathering of this powerful network. Once logged on, alumni can register for the events of their choosing.
What about career management?
We’re all interested in what our next career move might be. It could be promotion within an existing field or a complete change in direction. With more than 82,000 Wharton alumni, the likelihood is high that someone in the alumni network will have experience of the sector in which the user is interested. With WhartonConnect career decisions can now be better informed through the help of fellow alumni. And on the recruitment side, jobs can be posted.
What if alumni prefer not to disclose some information listed in the WhartonConnect online directory?
The choice is entirely up to our alumni. When alumni log on to the site, they will see general profile information, which has been compiled from Wharton’s database. The data will include name, year of graduation, major, business information, contact details, work history, student activities, interests, photos, and so forth. This information can be updated and fields for inclusion or exclusion can be selected; or alumni can opt out of having their profiles in the directory altogether. Any information changed by the graduate will automatically synchronize with the School’s database and vice versa (e.g., if the user contacts Wharton with a change of address, once the change is added to the database, the new information will be reflected in the profile on WhartonConnect).
Is there a cost for this new alumni service?
No. WhartonConnect is free to all Wharton alumni. Wharton recognizes the value of alumni being able to connect with one another and with the School in an efficient and effective manner. That is why the School has invested heavily in this product to deliver a tangible benefit to its alumni community. Upon first logging in, users will be asked to comply with standard terms and conditions for using the site.
How can alumni ensure that their privacy will be maintained?
Access to alumni information is provided via a secure server and only alumni users with approved user IDs and passwords will be permitted to view data. Alumni have complete control over what is visible on their profiles, and we encourage all users to regularly check their profiles to ensure that the content is current. For those alumni already registere d on WAVE, will they have to re-register for WhartonConnect? No. All existing Wharton accounts and profiles will be seamlessly migrated to WhartonConnect without any need for action, other than routine updates to ensure that your contact information remains up-to-date.
What about Wharton alumni who have never used the Wharton online portal? How can they sign up?
Wharton alumni who are new to the online community should log on to www.whartonconnect.com and follow the “Register for a New Account” link. There, alumni will find directions for how to establish, review, and modify a profile.
Will technical support be available?
Yes. Wharton Alumni Affairs has a customer support team that is available to provide assistance to ensure that alumni receive the maximum benefit from WhartonConnect.
How do I sign up?
Please visit www.whartonconnect.com, log on, and review your profile. We hope you enjoy this great new resource designed exclusively for the Wharton alumni community.
