Alumni Directory FAQ
Connect with Alumni Via Fast, Filtered Searches
Searching
- Does the directory search for exact matches?
- Is searching the directory case sensitive?
- Does the search box accept Boolean logic or wild cards?
- Once I have made a category selection, how can I refine it further?
- How do I start a new search?
- How do I remove criteria that I have added when trying to refine my search?
- How do I drill down to more specific criteria in a category?
- How can I search for multiple class years that span different decades?
- Is it possible to search for two keywords simultaneously?
Site Navigation
- I selected an item from the "browse within results" list on the left and now it is not there. I wanted to refine further in that category.
- Can you click on more than one sub-category within a category under "browse within results," such as Function or Industry?
- What does the "Sorted by" drop down list do?
- I have selected more than one category under "browse within results" and now I'd like to go back one or two steps. How do I do that?
Alumni Data
- Why are there no email addresses listed for some alumni?
- What is a career advisor?
- Can I change the class year that I am affiliated with?
Does the directory search for exact matches?
Yes. The directory will not find "Thomas" if you type "Tom" in the search box and then select the category "Name." However, it will find every instance of Thomas (if "Search All Fields" is selected in the drop-down menu) such as Thomas Smith; Joe Thomas; Thomasville, Maine; Thomas Enterprises; etc. Also note that you can use an asterisk "*" for wildcard searches when searching using the name or location categories. For example, Johns* finds Johns, Johnsen, Johnsen, Jr., but Johns finds only Johns.
Is searching the directory case sensitive?
No. All fields are case insensitive.
Does the search box accept Boolean logic or wild cards?
Yes, you can use an asterisk "*" for wildcard searches when searching using the name or location categories. For example, Johns* finds Johns, Johnsen, Johnsen, Jr., but Johns finds only Johns.
Once I have made a category selection, how can I refine it further?
You can use the "search within results" search box to refine your search, or click on one of the categories under "browse within results."
How do I start a new search?
You may either click the "New Search" link in the top left or click on the "Remove" link for each of the refinement filters in the "current filters" section.
How do I remove criteria that I have added when trying to refine my search?
A list of applied filters you have selected will appear in the "current filters" section at the top of the page. To remove any filter, simply click the "Remove" link.
How do I drill down to more specific criteria in a category?
You can expand the categories under "browse within results" on the left hand side of the search results page to drill down to more specific criteria.
How can I search for multiple class years that span different decades?
Select "Class/Degree Year" from the Alumni Directory drop-down menu and enter multiple class years in the "Enter Search Term" field.
Example: Typing "1988 1989 1991" (without quotation marks) in the search field with "Class/Degree Year" will bring back results of anyone with any of these three classes in their record.
Is it possible to search for two keywords simultaneously?
Yes. Enter the keywords in the "Enter Search Term" field and make sure you select "Search All Fields" from the Alumni Directory drop down menu.
Example: Typing "MA Smith" (without quotation marks) in the search field will yield anyone who lives or works in Massachusetts, with Smith as the name, company, job title, or location.
I selected an item from the "browse within results" list on the left and now it is not there. I wanted to refine further in that category.
The categories that appear on the left will always be the list that applies to the current set of data displayed in the search results. If you have applied filters, the category list will get smaller and smaller as fewer options are available within the found data list.
Can you click on more than one sub-category within a category under "browse within results," such as Function or Industry?
No. The functionality allows you to further refine within the data you've already selected, not search for multiple types of data at once.
What does the "Sorted by" drop-down list do?
The sort function refers to the found set of data (or search results). When a selection is made in the "Sorted by" drop down and the "Sort" button is clicked, the found data will be reordered based on the criteria selected.
I have selected more than one category under "browse within results" and now I'd like to go back one or two steps. How do I do that?
You can remove any of the applied filters by clicking "Remove" next to the criteria under "current filters" at the top of the search results page.
Why are there no email addresses listed for some alumni?
Most likely, the alumnus/a has not registered for an Infinite Connection account. However, in some cases, the person has chosen to hide his/her Email Forwarding address. If there is no contact information available, either the person has an account and chooses to hide his/her information or there is no contact information on record.
What is a career advisor?
A career advisor is an alumnus/a who volunteers to give career advice and guidance to alumni and/or students. Details about the individual's career and how to contact him/her are found in his/her Detailed Record (accessed by clicking on the person's name in the directory).
Can I change the class year that I am affiliated with?
Yes. In order to change your class year affiliation, please send an email requesting this change to mitalum@mit.edu. Once your record has been updated you will ONLY receive information for the new class year.
