Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak with an advisor to one of the nation’s top cheerleading teams.  He said that the cheerleaders in his school attend numerous alumni functions throughout the school year.  Their role isn’t to perform, although they might, but rather, they are to mingle and meet alumni at these events. The cheerleaders are clearly ambassadors for the school and so must conduct themselves with grace and poise. 

The advisor said that initially, some cheerleaders dread these events.  After all, what do 20 year olds have in common with 50-year olds? What do you talk about?  This school’s cheerleaders are instructed to be prepared to report on their networking results.  After the event, they are asked to name 3 people they met, what their names are, where they live, and what they do.  In other words, these cheerleaders are taught how to network! 

Over time, these cheerleaders recognize and appreciate the value of this.  One said that this prepared her well to handle any business or social event after she left school.  She feels comfortable talking to anyone, anywhere, about anything! 

Sounds like a win-win-win.  The school wins because the poise and grace of the cheerleaders encourage the alumni to donate to the school; the alumni win because they get to meet these young people and they can feel pride in their school; and the cheerleaders win because it’s excellent training for the real world!