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 Scotty Shaw ‘09
I Studied: History & Computer Science (Pre-Med)
My Current Job: EUvsVirus CTO at European Commission. We hosted international participants, generated solutions, and forged partnerships to fight COVID.
My Proudest Moment: I'm a smalltown, low-income, first-generation student who got into Duke and graduated on time with my target GPA!
A Duke Memory: My life started the first time I ever set foot on campus, at the bottom of Towerview. As I looked up the massive hill, I felt like I had finally come home, and that, from then on, I would only climb upwards.
Dear Blue Devil
I’m Charelle Lewis '04, M.Eng.M.'08
I Studied: Undergrad in Computer Science, Masters in Engineering Management
My Current Job: IT VP of Diagnostics and Genomics at LGC
My First Job: I started in the IT Future Leaders Program at GSK.
My Word of Advice: "Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon." - Paul Brandt
Dear Blue Devil
I'm Ashini Fernando Ph.D. '00
I Studied: Pharmacology and Molecular Cancer Biology
My Current Job: Scientist at FHI 360, I support quality assurance of in vitro diagnostics for USAID global health efforts.
My Biggest Fail: I was too narrowly focused on my major and missed out on exploring other disciplines.
My Word of Advice: Develop genuine relationships with colleagues and mentors.
Dear Blue Devil
I'm David A. Graham '09
I Studied: History (major), Arabic (minor), Islamic Studies (certificate)
My Current Job: Staff writer at The Atlantic
My Proudest Moment: Winning the 2021 Toner Prize for National Political Reporting and helping organize a workplace union.
My Duke Memory: 301 Flowers, the Chronicle office - where I discovered a vocation, made some of my best friends, and met my wife.
Dear Blue Devil
I'm Ricardo Duque M.B.A.'06
I Studied: MBA
My Current Job: Head of Global Small Business and Latin America at McAfee
My First Job: Financial analyst at Carvajal, a large holding group in my home country of Colombia
My Duke Memory: Getting the Forever Duke Award in 2022!