The Career Discovery Experience connects first-year and sophomore students with alumni and professionals for virtual career exploration during winter break (January 5-16, 2026). This isn't an internship or traditional job shadowing—you won't be completing work tasks or being evaluated on performance. Instead, you'll engage in meaningful career discovery through extended conversations and observational experiences designed to help you explore possibilities, ask questions, and build connections with professionals who want to help you discover what's possible.

Your experience is designed for exploration, not doing. You might:

• Have in-depth conversations about a professional's career journey, their day-to-day work, and what they've learned along the way
• Observe meetings, work sessions, or typical daily activities to see what different careers actually look like
• Ask questions about the realities of different careers—the challenges, rewards, unexpected aspects, and honest insights you can't find online
• Learn authentically what it's really like to work in fields that interest you, from people who've been where you are
• Build connections with professionals who are invested in helping you explore your options and discover your path

Every experience is unique because hosts and students co-create the experience together—whether that's extended conversations, virtual observation, multiple shorter sessions, or a combination approach.

The Career Discovery Experience is open to all first-year and sophomore students, regardless of where you are in your career exploration journey.

This program is for you if you're:

• Exploring multiple interests and want to test different fields
• Curious about a specific career but want to understand it better before committing
• Wondering what professionals actually do day-to-day
• Looking to build connections with people in fields that interest you
• Trying to figure out what resonates with your goals and values
• Simply curious about what's out there

You don't need to have everything figured out. Curiosity and genuine interest are all you need.

While in-person experiences are welcome when logistics allow, we encourage you to stay open to virtual opportunities—here's why:

✓ Access professionals anywhere – Not limited to who's nearby

✓ More opportunities available – Many professionals can only host virtually

✓ Same valuable learning – Conversations and insights translate perfectly online

✓ Greater flexibility – Easier to schedule, can split into multiple sessions

✓ No cost barriers – No travel expenses or transportation needs

✓ Equal access for all – Every student can explore careers regardless of location or resources

The best career discovery happens when you find the right professional match for your interests—and format is secondary to that. Don't miss out on your ideal mentor just because they're not local!

Bottom line: Choose hosts based on what you want to learn, not just proximity. Virtual experiences deliver the same insider access and authentic connections.

1. Browse & Apply (Nov 17 - Dec 2)
   Starting November 17, explore our directory of available hosts across all career fields and locations. Each opportunity includes details about the professional's background, what they do, and what format they're offering (virtual or in-person). Submit your application and select your top 3 host preferences—we'll match you based on your career interests and goals.
2. Get Matched (Dec 5)
   Receive your match notification with your host's information and next steps.
3. Attend Orientation (Dec 10)
   Join our mandatory student orientation to learn how to make the most of your experience and get tips for meaningful conversations.
4. Connect with Your Host (Dec 10-Jan 4)
   Reach out to your host, schedule your experience during winter break, and start exploring!
5. Discover (Jan 5-16)
   Engage in your discovery experience—ask questions, observe work, learn what this career is really like, and discover what resonates with you.

You won't be completing work assignments or tasks. This is purely about exploration—observing, asking questions, and learning about careers from the inside. There's no performance evaluation or expectation to contribute to projects. Think of this as career discovery before you commit to an internship.

• First-year and sophomore students
• Available for a minimum half-day during winter break (January 5-16, 2026)
• Able to attend mandatory orientation (December 10, 5-6pm)
• Submit application by Tuesday, December 2, 2025

No prior experience, declared major, or specific career plans required. All curious students are welcome!

Hosts commit to a minimum of a half-day (approximately 3-4 hours), but you and your host will co-create the experience together based on what works best for both of you. Some students spend a half-day in focused conversation and observation. Others arrange multiple shorter sessions spread across several days during winter break (January 5-16). It's flexible and designed around meaningful learning, not rigid time commitments.

That's perfectly fine—and actually quite common! Many students use this program to explore fields they're curious about but haven't committed to. Discovery often means trying something new or unexpected. Browse the available opportunities and see what sparks your curiosity.

Absolutely. The most valuable learning comes from conversations and authentic sharing—and that translates perfectly to virtual formats. Virtual also means you can connect with professionals in any location, opening up more opportunities than traditional in-person experiences. You'll still get insider access, honest perspectives, and meaningful connections.

No prior knowledge needed. This program welcomes students at any stage of exploration. Whether you're completely new to a field or have some background knowledge, the experience will meet you where you are. Curiosity and genuine interest are all you need.

You'll complete a brief survey sharing your experience and what you learned. You're also welcome to stay in touch with your host if you both choose—many students build lasting professional relationships through this program.

While this program is focused on discovery rather than job/internship placement, the insights you gain can absolutely help you make better decisions about future internships. You'll learn what to look for, what questions to ask, and whether a field truly aligns with your interests—making you more strategic in your internship search later.