A personal reflection on alumni relationships and unexpected opportunities

When I graduated from Syracuse University in 2020, I'll admit I wasn't thinking much about staying in touch beyond the occasional donation request. Like many new graduates, I was focused on launching my career and, eventually, my writing dreams. But seeing my sci-fi debut The Convergence Chronicles: Book One - Cyber Inference featured in Syracuse's "The Slice" alumni publication this week reminded me of something important: your alma mater wants to celebrate your wins.

It's Not Just About Bragging Rights

That small mention in the Cuse Community newsletter—"Eric Yocam G'20: The ECS graduate's new book, The Convergence Chronicles: Book One - Cyber Inference, is live on Amazon Kindle! A sci-fi techno-thriller where AI sentience meets high-stakes intrigue. Yocam is planning to turn this into a series"—might seem like a brief blurb, but it represents something much bigger.

Universities aren't just collecting success stories to fill their marketing materials (though that's certainly part of it). They're building networks, creating connections, and showcasing the diverse paths their graduates take. When fellow Syracuse alums see that mention, some might be fellow writers, potential collaborators, or simply readers who love sci-fi thrillers.

The Network Effect You Didn't Expect

Here's what I've learned about maintaining those alumni connections:

Visibility in unexpected places: Alumni publications reach people you'd never connect with otherwise—professors who might invite you to speak, classmates who've become editors or agents, or simply readers who trust recommendations from their university community.

Credibility by association: Having your achievement recognized by your alma mater adds a layer of institutional credibility. It's not just self-promotion; it's peer recognition.

Inspiration is bidirectional: While it's nice to inspire current students, I've found that seeing what fellow graduates accomplish in completely different fields often sparks my own creativity.

Unexpected opportunities: You never know when that mention might lead to a speaking opportunity, a collaboration, or even just a meaningful conversation with someone walking a similar path.

The Simple Act of Sharing

Most universities make this incredibly easy. Syracuse's alumni team, like many others, actively seeks out graduate achievements to feature. A simple email to the alumni office or filling out an achievement form on their website is often all it takes.

For Cyber Inference, I sent a brief note mentioning the book launch, the series plans, and how my Syracuse education in technology and systems thinking influenced the hard science fiction elements. That's it. No lengthy pitch required.

Beyond the Individual Win

There's something bigger at play here, too. When we share our diverse achievements—whether it's launching a tech startup, publishing a novel, or making breakthroughs in research—we're showing current students that there's no single path to success. Some kid studying computer science at Syracuse might see that mention and realize they don't have to choose between technology and creative writing.

The Long Game

As I plan the rest of The Convergence Chronicles series, I'm thinking more strategically about these connections. Maybe there's a guest lecture opportunity about AI ethics and fiction. Perhaps a collaboration with current students on digital marketing strategies. Or simply being part of a network that celebrates intellectual curiosity and diverse achievements.

Your alma mater gave you more than a degree—they gave you a foundation and a community. Letting them know what you've built on that foundation isn't just good karma; it's good business and good citizenship.

So if you've published that book, launched that startup, or achieved that milestone you've been working toward—send that email. Fill out that form. Share your story.

You might be surprised by who's listening.