Learn Finnish: Tulimme tänne alumneina, jotta voimme verkostoitua. - We came here as alumni, so that we can network.

The base word is alumni. For many newer words and loanwords ending in -i, the final -i changes to an -e- before adding the plural marker -i-. Then we add the essive ending -na. This gives us the stem alumnei- plus -na, resulting in alumneina (as alumni). Since there are no gradating consonants in this word, the strong grade rule for the essive doesn't visibly change it.

Why does this sentence use jotta instead of the more common että?

Jotta is used specifically to express purpose or intention, translating as "in order to" or "so that". While että can sometimes mean "so that" in casual speech, it is mostly a general conjunction like the English "that" in "I know that...". Using jotta clearly highlights the purpose of the visit.

The verb verkostoitua (to network) has a recognizable suffix. How does that suffix work here?

It is derived from the noun verkosto (a network). The suffix -itua (or -oitua) is often used to form verbs meaning "to become something" or "to form into something". Here, it turns the noun into the reflexive action of building a network yourself.

As a quick refresher, why do we use tänne (to here) rather than täällä (here)?