On opposite coasts of the United States, two HBS clubs have developed innovative programs to help MBA students broaden their career options.

"I am confident that I will get a job in Seattle when I graduate," says Martin DeBono (HBS '00), who participated in last year's Seattle Trek, an initiative sponsored by the HBS Club of Puget Sound (HBSPS) to link students with job contacts and to foster student-alumni interactions. "It's like having a career counselor located in the city where you want to work," DeBono continues. "The club screens companies and job opportunities for HBS students and grads." In light of his positive experience, DeBono has spread the word on campus about the 2000 Trek, which will take place early this year.

HBSPS Club president Tracy E. Kwiker (MBA '95) has been a driving force in developing programs to attract younger members. Kwiker joined the club shortly after settling in the area two and a half years ago. She conceived of and hosted the club's first Decade Party for alumni who had graduated within the past ten years, welcoming sixty young alumni and signing up many new members. The Decade Party is now a quarterly event.

Other efforts aimed at young alumni include the program committee's decision to invite younger, more high-tech-oriented speakers to the club's luncheons, which has resulted in much larger turnouts. "Our goal last year was to increase membership and attendance at club events," Kwiker says. "This year, we also want to enhance leadership to stimulate more activity within the club." The expanded leadership includes vice presidents for women's programs, young alumni, and student affairs.

Kwiker credits the club's corporate sponsors - Deloitte & Touche, Drugstore.com, Polaris Venture Partners, Madrona Venture Group, and Voyager Capital - with mak-ing programs such as the Seattle Trek and Decade Party possible.

On the East Coast, the HBS Club of Southeastern New England (HBSA-SNE) assists HBS students in making career contacts in Rhode Island, southeastern Massachusetts, and portions of Connecticut near the Rhode Island border. Headed by newly elected president Maryann Pernorio (MBA '90), HBSA-SNE invites student clubs - such as the Manufacturing & Technology Management Club (MTM) - to attend dinner programs that have included speakers such as John Welch, president of Electric Boat Corporation; Bill Nordstrom, copresident and general manager of the East Coast Division of Nordstrom, Inc.; and Ralph C. Thomas III, associate administrator of NASA.

"We negotiate with the companies to sponsor the cost of the dinner meeting for the MBA students, and then we have private briefings with the students and the speakers," says Pernorio. Bobby Bose (HBS '00), an officer of the MTM Club who attended the NASA event, gives the program high marks. "It's great," he says. "You get the opportunity to meet some amazing people and see business leadership from the perspective of those on the front lines."

Pernorio hopes the club will continue the well-received program. "It's a unique opportunity for alumni and MBA students to network and to continue their learning experience and for us to attract future business leaders to our local community."

For more information about HBSPS, visit www.hbsps.com or contact tkwiker@mba1995.hbs.edu. For more information about HBSA-SNE, visit www.reade.com/_HBS/hbsgate.html or contact mpernorio@mba1990.hbs.edu. For information on clubs in general, visit the HBS Alumni Clubs Web site at www.alumni.hbs.edu/clubs or call 617-495-6315.

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