I’ve applied for jobs a few times and this has always been a problem. Now that I’ve been out of college for a while it’s even more of a problem. I don’t have anyone from college that would even remember me. I can’t use my current coworkers because I don’t want my current employer to know I’m leaving until I have a new job lined up. I don’t keep in touch with old coworkers. I don’t do anything outside of work as far as volunteering or anything. I know I’m not supposed to use friends or family. Who is even left after that? The only people I have the contact info for are friends, family, and my current boss.
As a former college lecturer I definitely remember my students for years, so thats still an option. I’d do whatever lecturer you knew best and then the admin department who can confirm that you were there.
Seconding this. I also teach higher ed and would definitely recommend a student from years ago if they reached out.
Modern learning management systems keep your old assignments for years so even if I didn’t recognize the student’s name it would be easy to look up their performance.