CONTINUING THE CIRCLE
CONTINUING THE CIRCLE
THE ALUMNI NETWORK
A community for our previous youth participants
We believe that connection, support, and opportunity are the key ingredients for success. Our programs are designed to create strong leaders across our communities, but that doesn’t stop after you graduate SOS. As a proud member of the SOS family, you are an invaluable part of a community of more than 80,000 alumni.
We’re leveraging our resources to create continued opportunities for you to grow, build relationships, and feel successful—well after you graduate from our programs. To continue to provide you with a thriving community, we invite you to join our new SOS Alumni Network, Continuing the Circle, where you can connect, collaborate, and engage with current participants, SOS partners, and each other.
Discover new opportunities, revive old friendships and forge new ones, network with your dream company, and help empower the next generation of young leaders. Whether you participated in SOS last year or two decades ago, for one year or ten years, this network is for you.
As part of this vast alumni network, you’re able to take advantage of crucial opportunities, lean on community, and continue to grow with us by Continuing the Circle.
If you have any questions, ideas, or stories to share, please reach out to our Alumni Liaison, Fernanda Landeros (flanderos@sosoutreach.org).
“I went on that job shadow through SOS, and I was like, ‘Yes this is it. This is what I want to do.’ I felt so encouraged by SOS. They were like, ‘Ok you want to be an interior designer? Great, you’re going to do it! We believe in you.’ It only takes one person to make that difference and at SOS, I had this entire community. Knowing you had a community behind you to help you achieve your goals, it really made me feel like anything is possible.”
-Jessa, Eagle County Alum
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Alumni, your voice matters! In order to provide you with the most meaningful tools and resources, please take a moment to complete our short survey.
Disclaimer: 5 minutes may result in a lifetime impact.
OPPORTUNITIES
Our Alumni Network starts with you. It’s for you, by you—driven by the critical opportunities and experiences that you want. As we grow our circle together, we’re expanding opportunities for your personal and professional growth. Learn how we can continue positively influencing your path—and everyone’s path—in the SOS family.
RECONNECT WITH OUR PROGRAMS
Empower the next generation of young leaders by sharing your experience with current SOS youth participants as a volunteer mentor, serving on a local leadership panel, or joining program days both on and off the mountain.
GROW YOUR SOCIAL CAPITAL
The SOS family of supporters is immense and committed to your success. Access exclusive contacts, networking opportunities, and leadership trainings across SOS’ partner network to increase your own network and foster your personal and professional development.
NAVIGATE WHAT’S NEXT
As you explore your next steps, our partners provide helpful knowledge and resources to get your foot in the door and provide valuable insight into potential opportunities in your career or educational pursuits.
WORKSHOPS
You requested it and we made it happen! Your growth journey shouldn’t have to stop after SOS is completed. Which is why we have been working to offer workshops on frequently requested topics such as financial aid, resume building, and interview prep. Check out the recordings and slides below:
Financial Aid (watch the recording & view the slides)
Resume Building (view the slides)
Interview Prep (view the slides)
BROWSE CURRENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES
RESOURCES TO THRIVE
We sat down with some of the biggest players across a wide array of industries for exclusive insight on their personal and professional experiences that led to their successes. These movers and shakers come from fields like finance, law, public relations, engineering, retail, advertising, technology, nonprofits, and, of course, the outdoors. Along the way, they’ve made important—and at times tough—choices to arrive where they are today. One thing they share in common: leaning on a supportive community to help them achieve their goals.
Episode 2: Tod Francis
Co-Founder, Shasta Ventures
Hear from our Board Vice-Chair Tod Francis as he shares about following your passions regardless of what others think you should do.
Episode 3: Bobby Murphy
General Manager, Stowe Mountain
Hear about the mountain experience that Bobby Murphy wants to share with everyone through his company and his team.
Episode 4: Dave Portman
Executive Vice President, First Bank
Listen to Dave Portman, SOS Board Treasurer as he shares how to prioritize both career and lifestyle.
Episode 5: Wendy Carey
Executive Vice President/CFO, Seirus Innovation
Hear about how to utilize your strengths and weaknesses from our board member, Wendy Carey.
Episode 6: Phil Gosch
Partner, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Interested in law? Hear some advice from Phil Gosch, a partner at Brownstein Hyatt Farber and Schreck.
Episode 7: Jim Knutsen
Chief Culture & Strategy Officer, evo
Listen to Jim Knutsen talk about the importance of being in touch with the people that the Outdoor industry serves.
Episode 8: Rob Hofferman
President, Fact & Fiction
Hear tips from Rob Hofferman on how to communicate and listen more effectively in your career and relationships.
Episode 9: Mike Lewis
Senior Director of Base Operations, Park City Mountain
Get to know more about what it means to support from within the outdoor industry from SOS board member Mike Lewis.
Episode 10: Meg Pitman
National Director, Quality Improvement, Boys & Girls Club of America
Hear from Meg Pitman about proximity and designing from the margins to increase inclusion and diversity in the outdoor industry.
Episode 11: Lee Turlington
CEO, Turlington Inc.
Listen to outdoor industry expert, Lee Turlington, as he shares career advice and words of wisdom.
Episode 12: Alfredo Velasco
Senior Software Engineer, Lowe’s
Our first interview with an SOS program alumni Alfredo Velasco who is also a proud Board member.
Episode 13: Jen McLaren
President, Smartwool
Watch our Interview with Jen Mclaren, the CEO of Smartwool as she delves into her professional life after college.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Name: Vicente Flores
school: University of Utah
Major: Enginieering
ASPIRATION: MY ASPIRATION IS TO BECOME A product designer in the outdoor industry.
“SOS is the reason why I fell in love with the snowboarding world and everything within it, whether it’s the culture and community, lifestyle, the process of always learning on and off the mountain to get better, the adrenaline. It’s what I want to pursue and do for the rest of my life and eventually be able to make an impact in the accessibility of this sport in people’s lives.“ – Vicente Flores
Learn more about how Vicente developed his passion for product design through SOS’ Career Development Program and watch his most recent video on becoming a volunteer mentor.
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Alumni Newsletters
Reconnect. Re-engage. Stay up to date with what’s happening across the circle through our alumni newsletter! Published quarterly.