At the Institute of Political Science we value our alumni. We can learn from you, and would like to contribute to your further development. And, of course, we want to lend a hand in connecting ‘our’ political scientists all over the world.

Stay in touch

We'd love to stay in touch with you. If we have your current contact information, we’ll make sure you receive the monthly newsletter and three times a year the alumni magazine ‘Leidraad’. We’ll also keep you informed about alumni activities at the University, the Faculty, and your Institute.

LinkedIn

We also have a LinkedIn page for our Institute’s Alumni Community. Through our LinkedIn Community page, we’ll keep you informed about professionally interesting activities and vacancies for young professionals. You’ll also have the opportunity to stay in touch with former fellow students for information, networking, and social exchange. Joining the alumni community is easy and free.

Job market guidance

Did you know that you can contact us for career advice up to a year after graduation? You can also use the LU Career Zone to explore the job market, find vacancies, and develop your professional skills. If you, as a young alumnus, would like career advice from an experienced alumnus, sign up for our Mentor Network. More than 100,000 Leiden alumni are ready to answer your questions.

Become a mentor

Maybe you no longer need to receive career advice, but would you like to give advice instead. With your work experience, you know much more about the job market than students who have yet to start their first job. You are an important link for them in the transition to working life.

If you enjoy sharing your experiences, usually informally, with students and recent graduates and brainstorming with them about their first steps in the job market, we would love to hear from you. Register as a mentor for students and young alumni.

Or stay involved in other ways

As an alumnus, you can help students and prospective students in the following ways:

Information: Tell pupils and/or students about the choices you made during and after your studies, and how you ended up in your current position. For example, during an Open Day or Master’s Day.

Speed dates with third-year and master’s students: Every year, we organize a speed date where groups of students discuss career questions with alumni in several rounds.

Practical orientation: Let students experience your work by having them shadow you for a day (or part of a day).

Vacancies for internships and entry-level positions: Is your organization looking for (research) interns? Then we can distribute the vacancy for you. We’re also happy to share vacancies for entry-level positions for aspiring political scientists with our students and young alumni.

If you would like to forward a vacancy, have a student shadow you for half a day, or be involved in our speed dating and/or information activities, please send an email to the alumni coordinator of the Institute of Political Science.