Colorado College students completed the Fall 2017 Tiger Trek in October with a tour of the Seattle area that featured successful alumni and highlighted potential career paths. The four-day trip over the second block break provided them with valuable insights as well as the opportunity to make connections in their fields of interest.
This experience was provided free for 12 students thanks to the Colorado College Career Center, Office of Alumni and Family Relations, and generous donors.
Students visited Amazon, Boeing, K2 Sports, Meriwether Partners LLC, Microsoft, Sound Transit, Starbucks, and Third Place Books. In addition to site visits, students met in person with area alumni during a networking social with more than 50 participants.
"The trip improved my skills at networking while expanding my professional network," says Noah Hirshorn '20. "Tiger Trek is a great opportunity to get an idea of what type of environment you want to work in and whether or not the city that you visit is a good fit."
The students who participated were competitively selected and held a range of career interests. Each of the sites and alumni hosts detailed their own career paths, and provided advice and information on getting started through internships and job opportunities.
"This trip has shown me the importance of being open-minded in regard to my career development, and has emphasized that one's career path is not always linear," says Lauren Stierman '20. "It has also highlighted the importance of engaging in work that I am passionate about and of finding the right fit in regard to work environment."
Each student left with not only important insights, but also with the opportunity for future mentoring from dedicated alumni.
The success of the last three Tiger Treks, which took students to San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., has led to consideration for additional future programs, including a trip to New York City in April 2018.
"We are excited to keep these trips going, and New York City seems like natural fit," says Michael McNamee, assistant director, career volunteer initiatives. "We are focusing on innovative alumni working in creative fields. It should be an incredible experience for the students."
As part of the $435 million "Building on Originality" fundraising campaign announced in October 2017, Colorado College aims to raise $100 million for student financial aid, including $90 million for endowed scholarship support and $10 million for expendable funds for scholarships. When raised, these funds will enable the college to provide 180 new scholarships as well as support internships, networking opportunities, and career preparation.
Gifts for these life-changing Tiger Trek experiences make a difference for CC students, and they count toward the campaign. Contributions can be designated for the "Tiger Trek Fund" when making a gift to Colorado College. https://www.coloradocollege.edu/donate