Alumni Connections
Wherever you are on your journey, the Forever Duke community of 195,000+ alumni are here to help! Whether you have 5 minutes, 15 or more, here are three easy ways to start connecting.
5 minutes
Fill out a short form with a request for advice or connection using Ask A Blue Devil. You can hear back from AI selected alums by email as soon as the next day!15 minutes
Search Duke's private alumni directory by industry, location, identity, or company, and reach out to specific people for opportunities and discovery. Use the directory combined with LinkedIn to find the best contacts!1 hour
Join small-group alumni-student dinners, coffee chats, and more with Duke alumni through Karsh Conversations. Get on the list to be invited to the next event!Body
Dear Blue Devil: Advice to Current Students
A Blue Devil’s path isn’t always a straight line. In honor of the Duke University Centennial (1924-2024), we've asked 100 alumni to share advice with today’s students. Want more inspiration? Discover all alumni by logging into the directory.
Dear Blue Devil
I’m Christian Hernandez '97
I Studied: Economics and Comparative Area Studies
My Current Job: Venture Capitalist investing in sustainable climate technologies as Managing Partner at 2150
My Biggest Fail:Realizing after Orgo that my career as a doctor was not meant to be.
My Proudest Moment: Being a co-investor in several companies with my former Orgo professor.
Dear Blue Devil
I’m Wendy Xiao B.S.'14
I Studied: Neuroscience
My Current Job: Educational Design Specialist at the Asia Foundation. I oversee our literacy edtech product roadmap and ensure we are implementing best practices in early reading.
My First Job: Teaching assistant and performing arts teacher at a school for children with learning differences
My Word of Advice: Be open and willing to explore unexpected opportunities. You never know where those doors could take you!
Dear Blue Devil
I’m Benjamin Shellhorn J.D.'15, M.B.A.'15
I Studied: Law and Business
My Current Job: Senior Associate at Hogan Lovellsp
My Biggest Fail: There is no such thing as failure as long as you learn from the experience.
My Duke Memory: So many great memories, but getting married in the chapel was the pinnacle!
Dear Blue Devil
I’m Patricia Pinckombe '18
I Studied: Evolutionary Anthropology, African & African American Studies, and Visual & Media Studies
My Current Job: I'm a firefighter/paramedic turned MD/JD candidate. When I'm not at school, I'm at work serving my community as a firefighter and paramedic.
My Biggest Fail: It took me 4 years to get into medical school!
My Duke Memory: Sitting front row at Duke basketball games in the winter - you didn't have to tent and there was little to no line because few were on campus!
Dear Blue Devil
I'm Jason Ng B.S.E 18
I Studied: Civil Engineering & Architectural Engineering Certificate
My Current Job: Sustainable real estate development action fellow and dual master’s candidate at MIT.
My Proudest Moment: My proudest moment was the opening day for Bonnet Springs Park, a park my team transformed from a brownfield site after 4+ years.
My Duke Memory: I will never forget participating in Common Ground, which introduced me to having tough conversations around identity, solidarity and community. This has become central to my work as a planner and community-builder.