Future Alumni
Student Career Treks
THIS EVENT IS CANCELED
With the evolution of COVID-19 (the illness known as coronavirus), coupled with an abundance of caution for the health and wellness of our student and alumni community, we have canceled the spring break Student Career Treks and their associated Alumni-Student Mixers. Thank you for your interest in this event. The UW Alumni Association looks forward to seeing you in the future.
Make the most of your spring break
March 22-25, 2020
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED. Check back in spring for information about our Fall Career Treks.
Pursuing your degree is the first step. The UWAA can help you figure out the next one. Student Career Treks take small groups of students for behind-the-scenes looks at professional life in major U.S. cities across the country. Tour local companies, meet up with area Huskies and see a new city with your fellow students. Each tour includes an after-hours mixer with local alumni, so you can get the lowdown on what life’s really like in each town.
Cost for all destinations, including airfare, lodging and most meals is $600; a limited number of scholarships are available.
Choose your adventure
San Francisco, CA — Northern California has more UW alumni than anywhere outside Washington — nearly 19,000! Your home base at the Holiday Inn Express by Fisherman’s Wharf will offer lots of opportunities to explore the City by the Bay as you see what life’s like at the area’s scrappy tech startups and industry titans. Get to know Bay Area alumni at a special mixer on March 24.
Meet your host: Evan Carman — I’ve worked with UW students for the past 5 years, and led the Career Trek to NYC last spring break. I’m thrilled to return to the Bay Area, where I grew up, this year. I love hearing all the career journeys of UW alums, and how your career path isn’t always a straight line.
Denver, CO — New this year! Close to some of America’s most spectacular natural wonders (and more than 3,000 Husky alumni), the Mile-high City is one of the fastest-growing in the U.S. Stay at MOXY in Denver’s hip Cherry Creek neighborhood as you strike out to visit Huskies at Oracle and the VF Corporation. You’ll also meet local alumni at a hosted mixer at Denver’s hip collective eatery, Avanti, in the LoHi District.
Meet your host: Amanda Campbell — I have worked with students at the UW for almost 10 years. In my current role in the Alumni Association, I enjoy connecting current students with alums to build a fabulous Husky community. I’ve led several student career treks, and I enjoy how each trip is completely unique.
New York, NY — From arts to finance to nonprofits, the big city calls to those looking to make their mark. See how 4,000 UW alumni are making it in the Big Apple. Stay at the Fairfield Inn in Midtown Manhattan and soak in the sights and sounds of the city. On March 24, the gang heads over to the Brazen Tavern to hang out with NYC Huskies.
Meet your host: Kaela Worrall — I’m ecstatic to be leading my first trek in New York, excited to help current UW students take in all the great advice and experiences our NY-based Huskies have to offer and looking forward to celebrating both Husky spirit and professional success in the Big Apple!
Sample Itinerary
To give you an idea of what to expect on your career trek, we are sharing the itinerary from the 2019 Husky Career Trek to New York. Trek hosts and site visits change from year to year, but all treks feature alumni working in a wide range of positions and industries.
Sunday, Day 1: Travel Day
Early AM: Trek starts at SeaTac. Direct flight to NYC
3:30 p.m.: Arrive to JFK Airport. Travel as group to hotel.
5:30 p.m.: Welcome Meeting at Hotel
Evening: Free time for dinner
Monday, Day 2: First Site Visit Day
8 a.m. Morning Meeting, Review Today’s Schedule, Depart Hotel
10 a.m. Site Visit 1: SqaureSpace meeting with UW alum working on the creative team for print, video, and digital marketing
12 p.m. Break for Lunch
1 p.m. Site Visit 2: Google meeting with three UW alums (working in Human Resources, Software Engineering, and Sales)
3:30 p.m. Site Visit 3: ?What if? Innovation meeting with UW alum and team working in strategy/consulting
5:30 p.m. Free time for dinner
Tuesday, Day 3: Second Site Visit Day
8:30 a.m. Morning Meeting, Review Today’s Schedule, Depart Hotel
10 a.m. Site Visit 4: Morgan Stanley meeting with four UW alums in both finance and non-finance roles
12 p.m. Lunch at Site Visit 5: VirtualHealth (start up) meeting with two UW alums (finance and marketing)
3 p.m. Site Visit 6: International Flavors & Fragrances meeting with two UW alums (infrastructure/cyber security and treasurer)
6 p.m. Alumni/Student Mixer to meet more alumni in the NYC area
Wednesday, Day 4: Travel Day
9 a.m. Morning Meeting
10 a.m. Free time to explore the city
3:30 p.m. Travel to JFK Airport. Direct flight to Seattle
10:00 p.m. Return to SeaTac. Trek ends
Why should I go on a Career Trek?
Great question, and there are many reasons. Most students participate in Career Treks to learn about career paths, experience work environments firsthand, expand their networks and explore a new city or region. Check out what students have said after participating in prior career treks:
“I would highly recommend this program to anyone and everyone at the UW. Even if you are a freshman with no idea of what you want to do after college or a senior with a specific career plan, you can get a lot out of this trek.”
“Keep your mind open to meeting new people and encountering new experiences. This program is one of my favorite parts of my whole UW experience because of the people and memories I was able to take away with me.”
“This is an amazing experience to know all about different jobs, companies and life after graduation. Plus, this is a great opportunities to meet different alumni from different areas in person! Not to mention you’re going to make great friends with your peers!”
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I required to travel to and from the Career Trek destination with the group?
Yes, we require that all students fly from Seattle to their Career Trek destinations.
Am I required to stay with the group?
Yes, we require that students stay in the group hotel so as not to interfere with trip logistics.
How much does it cost?
Your UW Alumni Association is subsidizing the cost of this trip to make it as affordable as possible. The fee for each student will vary from city to city and typically includes airfare, lodging, ground transportation and most meals.
When are the dates? And what will we do?
The trek will begin with students meeting at the airport on the morning/early afternoon of first day, and will conclude with travel back to Seattle in the afternoon/evening on the last day. The second & third day will be the primary career connection days, with some opportunities for down time and exploring the city. The overall trip will be a mix of company visits, chances to meet alumni informally and career development workshops.
What types of companies will we visit and what happens during company visits?
Each trek’s itinerary varies and won’t be finalized until after students are selected. The companies and alumni will reflect a variety of industries and positions.
Examples of past visits:
Bay Area: Google, Pinterest, Wells Fargo, Air Bnb, City and County of San Francisco
D.C.: Library of Congress, Department of Justice, FEMA, Mundo Verde
Los Angeles: NASA JPL, Triage Entertainment, Greene Broillet, Tetra Tech
Portland: Columbia Sportswear, Wieden + Kennedy, Nike, City Hall
Company visits will vary but could include a tour, company overview, advice from experienced professionals and Q&A session with various alumni and their colleagues.
What do you look for in an applicant?
Treks are best suited for students who aren’t laser focused on a specific career or industry, but rather those who are interested in exploring a variety of industries and learning how their major could apply. Even better is if the student understands the value of connecting with alumni and their peers.
How many companies will we visit?
The number of site visits per trek varies, but most treks include visits to five to eight different companies.
How will I be prepared for this trip?
If you are accepted, we will host an orientation during the weeks leading up to the trek that will cover expectations, how to network, people you can expect to meet and more. We will coordinate with students selected to find a time that works with their schedules so that we can participate in a group session.
Do students have any post-trek responsibilities?
All trek participants are asked to complete a post trek survey about their experience. We may also request to use your name, photo and trek reflection to promote the program. Students are also encouraged to follow up with trek site visit hosts and send thank you letters or emails.
Do you offer any scholarships?
While these Career Treks are already subsidized to keep costs down, we recognize that some students still might have a financial barrier. We are proud to offer up to one full scholarship for each Trek, including lodging and airfare. You’ll have the opportunity to release your financial aid information for consideration in the Career Trek application.
I’ve applied, what happens next?
You can expect to be notified of your application status by the date listed in your trek application confirmation email. Those selected for the trek will be sent more details, including information about travel, how to pay the deposit and balance, and a program orientation. All selected students will be required to complete an agreement form and pay a deposit by the listed deadline in order to secure their spot.
How can I learn more?
Email your questions to us at asengage@uw.edu.
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