In a generation of social media updates, constant connection and job searches, it can seem overwhelming to share our experiences without getting lost at the end of a news feed.

Take Scuddle, a new startup company based out of Boulder, that serves as a networking tool for college students and recent graduates to access various opportunities including internships, jobs and freelance positions.

Some of the current boards include an internship at a local brewery and a social media internship at a ski company.Founded by Colorado College graduates Keir Myers ’10, and Mike Scheuer ’09, Scuddle’s main audiences are DU, CC and CU students.

“As recent graduates we also experienced the pains of hiring and finding a job, so we brought those two experiences together and we came up with Scuddle,” said Myers. “We said we are going to make our mission to make it easier for the next generation.”

A mix between Twitter and LinkedIn, Scuddle requires users to make a profile where people can showcase their talents in 160 characters or less on various boards that feature different areas including travel, health and fitness, jobs and internships.

“The main focus is to create a productive environment and community for people to share their meaningful experiences,” said Myers.

In the fall of 2012, Myers and his friends moved to San Francisco and spent a year working with a recruiter to finalize their product. The company officially launched the last week of August 2013.
“In the last two weeks we have doubled our active user base and we have made upwards of 20 successful introductions,” said Myers. “People are signing up and people are investing in the platform.”

According to Myers, there are around 200 DU students currently using Scuddle.

Senior International Business major Sydney Halle from Annapolis, MD, started using Scuddle and was drawn to the variety of marketing internships.

“It’s technologically convenient because of the way we operate socially now,” said Halle. “It’s a great way to express your personality as opposed to the typical resume. It’s easier to make yourself stand out.”

In an era where college students are constantly sending cover letters and resumes, Halle thinks Scuddle makes it easier.

“I think that, frankly, a resume is really hard to say ‘I’m a rock star economics major and a competitive skier,’” said Myers. “That’s kind of the genesis of why we started in Colorado.”

For their main campaign, “160 jobs in 160 characters,” Scuddle partnered with 60 Colorado employers and created various boards featuring internship and job opportunities including a commercial real estate consultant, a software engineer position at Agiliance and a marketing internship at Vail Resorts.

“We partnered with these companies and pitched our product because they love to look at students and to evaluate them in this format,” said Myers.

As far as expanding, Scuddle is planning on adding jobs in major cities like San Francisco, New York, Chicago and Austin over the next few months but the founders wanted Colorado to be the birthplace of the company.

“Colorado is a great opportunity for us to start because there are a lot of great companies here,” said Myers. “There are a lot of interesting industries whether it is technology, renewable energy, oil and gas, outdoor products and also outdoor companies. Also the vibe here is perfect for Scuddle because the people in Colorado are work-hard, play- hard and the question is: ‘How do you convey that; how do you convey that to a potential employer that you are a multi-faceted person?’”

To showcase themselves, students will respond to a board in 160 characters with their various experiences, whether that experience is in marketing, retail or business. After the board expires, Scuddle will pass along the information to companies, usually within 30 days, and the companies will reach out to the students they want to talk to.

“We don’t want to position it as if you are applying for a job,” said Myers. “We want to position it as a way for students to start networking, to start their professional presence online.”
Myers believes people are constantly sharing their stories on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn but there is no middle ground.

“That’s how people in our generation often communicate, but you look at the next level over and that is LinkedIn and that is just too rigid,” said Myers.

As a senior, Halle believes Scuddle will be a great tool for seniors to start networking and getting a feel for various job opportunities.

“It’s another networking outlet and it’s easy to use and you can connect it with other networks like Facebook and Twitter,” said Halle.

Myers believes it is not too early for freshmen and sophomores to make Scuddle profiles so they can get ahead of the game and think about where they may want to intern in the future.

“When I was looking for internships and jobs it was really scary,” said Myers. “I probably knew some people I could reach out to try and network to get a job and an internship but it’s scary.”

As far as advice, Myers suggests that students invest some time in their profiles and post on a board they are interested in so employers can see them.

“We are trying to level the playing field and give these students the very easy and approachable way to get in front of these opportunities,” said Myers. “Opportunities exist. People want to hire students and give them jobs. That’s our mission.”

To find out more information or make a profile, visit: https://www.scuddle.me.