Georgia Tech Ies will soon have a new outlet for networking with peers. The Young Alumni Business Network, or BizNet, is expected to debut this fall. The web-based communication network, based on MIT's Forum, is designed to provide alumni with lifelong support to maintain relationships and stay current on industry knowledge.

"A lot of schools are already doing this," said Ruth Gregory, leader of the BizNet project. After joining the network, users will have a password that allows them to access resources available only to ISyE alumni, including a calendar, scheduled meetings, knowledge updates, and discussion groups. BizNet also will facilitate meetings of alumni groups. "We'll start in Atlanta, but we want to expand the opportunities into other cities," Gregory said.

Despite the word "young" in its official title, the network is expected to connect alumni of all ages, especially in situations where older alumni can act as mentors or offer tried and true expertise. BizNet is a way of facilitating communication, and there are an infinite number of topics for discussion: anything from venture capitalism and incubators to recruiting, interviewing, and politics. "Tech IE's work within a broad variety of professions, and their experience is a very valuable resource. The exchange of information is a simple idea, but the result can be overwhelming," said Gregory. The network also will host a database of alumni biographies and interests. Although the network will be run from campus, staff hope that alumni interests will drive the programming issues.

Undergraduate students also will be welcomed to the network. "We want to provide them the opportunity to appreciate the business issues they will face later," Gregory said.

School chair Bill Rouse describes himself as head cheerleader for the project. "Our overall goal is for ISyE alumni to be able to count on the school to support their lifelong needs for knowledge, best practices, etc.," he says. "ISyE BizNet is our next step toward achieving this goal."