In what ways does your Associate program "alma mater" matter going forward?

I am curious the ways in which your Associate program alma mater influences your career going forward. Some of the ways I have seen:

1. Starting a business and getting former bosses and colleagues on your cap table

2. Cards heavily stacked in your favor for job interviews where someone at the firm at which you are interviewing also worked at your alma matter and can tip the scale in your favor

I am interested in any other examples that the forum can provide.

As I round the final 6-9 months of my Associate program, I am wondering: (1) which are the relationships I have now that will last a long time (whether or like them or not, I need to nurture them - for example, I plan to same in the same industry as the industry group I'm currently in), and (2) which are the relationships I am most keen on pouring some gas on the fire on right now.

As most Associates, I have spent the last 15-18 months getting rocked daily and so am thinking about the WIFM of my relationship with my firm after I leave. Thanks for any thoughts.

APAE CompBanker Marcus_Halberstram shot in the dark that one of the kings of WSO will respond.