Networking used to mean dressing up, handing out business cards and shaking lots of hands.

But that was so 2014.

McMaster’s Alumni Association has launched a new virtual networking program, which takes place entirely online, for alumni and students.

The program will kick off Jan. 15 with an online mentoring event on career-related New Year’s resolutions.

A session later in January will see participants chat about how their degree has helped them in unexpected ways.

The program uses a browser-based messenger system that allows users to make a connection, chat and exchange contact information.

Each chat is seven minutes long and participants can choose multiple people to connect with.

The series will include two, hour-long sessions each month: one dedicated to mentoring and the other to networking.

Those interested can sign up here.