Career Trek Offers Students Insight on D.C. Careers
Photo by Dan Loh.
Center for Career Development helps students learn about careers in journalism and the arts
Dickinson’s Center for Career Development recently helped students gain first-hand knowledge of careers in journalism and the arts through the Winter Break Washington, D.C., Career Trek. The trip took 12 students to the Associated Press and the National Gallery of Art to meet with alumni and learn how a Dickinson education can help them carve a path toward similar jobs.
“What I talked about were the skills that I use that I had picked up at Dickinson,” said Chris Rugaber ’90, economics reporter at the Associated Press. “The other goal was to talk about the pathway—how did we get where we are and how it may work similarly or differently today.”
In addition to hearing from Rugaber, students also met with several of his colleagues, including AP White House Correspondent Josh Boak. The power of this experience, connecting with and learning from top professionals in the field through alumni connections, was not lost on the students.
An 'Unbelievable Opportunity'
“Today was an unbelievable networking opportunity,” said Jack Solovey ’28 (English). “I had the chance to connect with numerous Dickinson alumni and various journalists and reporters and hear about their respective fields.”
Students also visited the National Gallery of Art, where they learned about careers in the arts from Jen Rokoski ’12, a communications officer, and Lisa Shea ’08, an editor with the gallery. Between the two stops, students also attended a networking lunch at the National Press Club, where they heard from Rowan Humphries ’19, a global advocacy officer at the International Press Institute.
“They were all so willing to help and made it very clear that they're so accessible and easy to reach out to and that they will be happy to support you and provide you with a network,” said Sophie Beaubouef ’28 (English).
The Washington D.C. Career Trek was just one of ways Dickinson’s Center for Career Development helps Dickinson students prepare for success. In addition to trips like these, the college offers students Career Pathway advisors, who provide more than 2,000 coaching sessions each year, offering advice on landing early experiential opportunities, internships and other career-building strategies across a range of industries.
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Published January 26, 2026