# Alumni networking without leaving WhatsApp

> An alumni networking platform is often a separate app that alumni sign up for once and forget. Milvao works inside the WhatsApp groups alumni already read. An alumnus sends a private request to your association's number, Milvao asks a fellow alumnus whose profile fits the industry, skill or city, and both get each other's number after that person accepts. Batch year and programme can be shown with the introduction.

Source: https://milvao.com/use-cases/alumni-networking · Updated 2026-11-05

## Key takeaways

- Alumni use WhatsApp as they already do. No app, account or password.
- Requests are matched on industry, skill and city from each alumnus's profile.
- Batch year and programme can travel with the introduction, which makes a cold contact warmer.
- Alumni can search a directory only if you turn one on, and it lists only people who chose to be listed. There are no events and no fundraising.

## What alumni actually ask each other

Alumni ties are strongest in the moments someone needs help: a move to a new city, a switch of industry, a first hire, a visa question, a product to sell into a company where a batchmate works. These asks are personal, and many alumni won't post them in a 900-member batch group.

Made-up sample requests: "Moving to Bengaluru in March, would like to speak to an alumnus in fintech product roles." "Our startup is hiring a first data engineer, looking for alumni who can refer or advise." "Anyone from the alumni network working in hospital administration, for career advice?"

## How Milvao differs from an alumni networking platform

A typical alumni app compared with private requests on WhatsApp

|  | Typical alumni app | Milvao |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Where alumni go | A separate app or website | The WhatsApp chat with your association's number |
| Finding people | Search a directory | Describe the need; Milvao asks someone who fits |
| Contact details | Often visible in the directory | Shared only after both people agree |
| Events, giving, news | Usually included | Not included |
| Sign-up | Account and password | Tap a join link and send |

Many associations use both: an alumni system for records and events, and Milvao for the asks that happen in WhatsApp every day.

## How an alumni request is matched

1. Pin a join link in each batch, chapter or city group. Alumni tap it, send the message, and fill a short profile in the chat or on a private link.
2. An alumnus sends a request to your association's number. Milvao writes a brief and they confirm it.
3. Milvao asks a fellow alumnus whose skills and city fit and who has turned on introduction requests. They see the brief, not who asked.
4. If they accept within 48 hours, both receive each other's name and number, plus any profile answers you chose to show in introductions, such as batch year.

## Profile set-up for alumni

Start from the Alumni starter set in Profile questions: batch year, programme or course, current organisation, and whether they are happy to mentor students. Set batch year and programme to Also shown in introductions, so the person introduced knows they share a college. Keep current organisation for operators only if members are uneasy about sharing it. See [profile questions](https://milvao.com/help/community/profile-questions).

Skills should describe what alumni can help with, by industry or function: Product management, Hospital administration, Fintech, Civil services preparation. Add the cities where your alumni live, including large cities abroad if many alumni are there.

## Limits for alumni networking

- Alumni see only people who chose to be listed, in a directory for members that you turn on in Settings. Your team's directory stays private.
- Milvao doesn't run reunions, collect donations or post news.
- Bot replies are in English. Requests can be written in English or Hinglish.
- Starter covers up to 300 onboarded members. Many alumni associations pass that and fit Growth, at ₹6,999 a month for up to 1,000.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do alumni need to download anything?

No. They tap a join link in their WhatsApp group, send the prepared message, and fill a short profile. Requests and offers arrive in the same WhatsApp chat.

### Can alumni ask a specific batchmate through Milvao?

Milvao matches on the need, not on names. Alumni who already know whom they want can message them directly as they do today.

### How is this different from posting in the alumni group?

The ask is private, it goes to an alumnus whose profile fits, and their number is shared only if they accept. The group stays for news and conversation.

## Sources

- [Milvao Help Center: Profile questions](https://milvao.com/help/community/profile-questions) (checked 2026-11-05)
- [Milvao Help Center: Joining a community](https://milvao.com/help/members/joining-a-community) (checked 2026-11-05)

## Related pages

- [Milvao for alumni associations](https://milvao.com/for/alumni-associations)
- [Mentor matching](https://milvao.com/use-cases/mentor-matching)
- [Who sees what](https://milvao.com/privacy-and-consent)
- [Pricing](https://milvao.com/pricing)