Dickinson College Immersion Treks Bring Career Exploration into the Workplace
Students interested in careers in politics had an opportunity to visit alumni in the political field in Washington, D.C., and ask the about their work.
Events connect students with the professionals who can answer questions, show them the ropes
by MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson
Whether you’re just starting to think about your career path or you’re zeroing in on the exact professional life of your dreams, there’s nothing quite like talking directly with people who work in fields in which you're interested. Unless, of course, you get to have those conversations right where those people work.
That opportunity comes knocking several times a year at Dickinson—most recently, when 40 students traveled to Washington, D.C., for the 2019 D.C. Career Immersion Industry Trek.
Hosted by Dickinson's Center for Advising, Internships, & Lifelong Career Development, the daylong trips offer students a chance to visit one or two organizations in nearby Washington, D.C., or New York City so they can learn about fields they’re considering, the different career options within that field, how professionals in various jobs broke into their jobs and what their day-to-day work lives are like. Most of the visits are hosted by Dickinson alumni, and sometimes students make contacts that lead to internships or entry-level positions.
For the Oct. 21 D.C. trip, students selected from one of four career interests: politics, government, nonprofit/social justice or consulting. Those interested in politics visited Capitol Hill and the National Cable and Telecommunications Association. Students with an eye on the government sector visited the Pentagon and Booz Allen Hamilton. The Human Rights Campaign was the stop for nonprofit- and social-justice-minded students, while students interested in consulting traveled to McKinsey & Company and Ernst & Young.
Ken Bamba ’20 (international business & management) is exploring options in consulting and analytics, and was one of 14 students who visited Bernadette McFadden Stout ’07 at McKinsey & Company consulting firm and Eric Grorud ’94 and Sarah Mazer ’19 at Ernst & Young. “I wanted to learn more about how these firms differentiated themselves in the business field and how their values aligned with my own,” Bamba says. “The experience was helpful in introducing me to new consulting firms and allowing me to gain insight on the work they do. I am grateful for the time that the panelists gave to share their stories and their experiences.”
View details about the Jan. 16 Career Immersion Industry Treks.
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
Published October 28, 2019