Building Bridges, One Story at a Time: How Ryan Levy Created Hoo You Know

A Builder at Heart

Ryan Levy has always been a builder. From cardboard constructs as a kid to learning to code, the fourth-year UVA student has a passion for creating things. Now, he's building something different: a bridge between UVA's current students and its alumni through his newsletter, Hoo You Know.

The Problem He Saw

"It felt like all UVA students should have internships based on how supposedly strong our alumni network is," Levy explained. "I felt like networking was a concept that I didn't really understand, and others didn't either."

Originally from Long Island, New York, Levy is majoring in applied statistics and French in the College of Arts & Sciences. With a background in computer science, he started Hoo You Know as a software company the summer after his second year. It has since evolved into a newsletter that serves as a guide not just for UVA students, but for all job seekers.

What Makes Hoo You Know Special

The newsletter blends personal advice essays with interviews from UVA alumni. Levy provides practical guidance on:

Building a network from scratchWhere to find contactsHow to approach potential mentors

His interviews have become the central focus—he asks alumni about their career paths, misconceptions about their industries, and advice for current students.

Impressive Interview Lineup

Levy has interviewed an impressive array of UVA alumni, including:

Jim Ryan - UVA President EmeritusAdam Cohn - CNN CFORyan Odom - UVA Men's Head Basketball Coach

He hopes to interview the cofounders of Reddit and the owner of Birddogs clothing next.

Making an Impact

The newsletter has resonated deeply with the UVA community.

"I've had first-generation students come and tell me that my newsletter has helped them," Levy shared. "Alumni have told me that this is something they wish they had when they were a student."

Ryan's Advice for Students

When asked the same questions he poses to his alumni subjects, Levy offered this wisdom:

"Figure out what you're interested in, find one person who is adjacent to that interest and reach out to them for the goal of learning about their story. Check-ins and updates will compound and serve you really well in the long run."

What's Next

Levy is actively job hunting himself while continuing to grow Hoo You Know. His goal: reach 1,000 subscribers by the end of the fall semester. He plans to continue the newsletter after graduating and expand its scope.

Read the full story on UVA Today.

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