Global Education and Field Study
Career Catalyst Blocks
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CC’s Career Catalyst Program brings professional experience into the classroom, and CC students out into the real world. These immersive courses connect liberal arts learning to hands-on, curriculum-connected projects in a wide range of industries.
Career Catalyst Blocks are designed and led by faculty in partnership with the organizations and take full advantage of the Block Plan’s flexibility. Whether on campus or embedded at a partner organization, students work in teams to solve problems, collaborate with professionals, and gain the confidence and skills needed to thrive after college.
FAQs About CCBs
How is a CCB different from other Blocks Away?
How is a CCB different from other Blocks Away?
In many ways a Career Catalyst Block is just a type of Block Away, but there are some significant differences. Here are 5:
- Unlike most Blocks Away, a CCB normally starts on campus and ends on campus with 10-14 days spent at the host organization during weeks 2-3 of the block. The course combines the classroom with on-site experiential learning and immersion.
- CCB courses are not announced on a standard timeline like other Blocks Away. The College must negotiate with our host organization, and sometimes the final agreement to host a CCB means that the course is announced only a few months before it will be offered, so a CCB can have a very accelerated recruitment, enrollment, and pre-departure timeline.
- CCB Aid Awards have their own funding, not linked to standard Block Away Aid Awards, so receiving aid for a CCB does not remove one of the two Block Away Aid Awards eligible students are able to use. For this reason a CCB can be a 3rd Block Away for a student who uses aid awards to join CC off-campus blocks.
- CCB Applications may require students to submit a résumé or a short video on a theme tied to the course. This process helps CC and the partner organization identify students who are honed into the focus and the emphases of the program's immersion component.
- Unlike many Blocks Away, one of the primary focus points for a CCB is on the connections between a Liberal Arts education and career paths that may not seem directly linked to your major or area of specialization. There is always a career exploration and competency-building aspect to a CCB that may not be similar to the academic focus of another off-campus block.
What can a CCB do for me?
What can a CCB do for me?
Career Catalyst Blocks are innovative courses that integrate classroom learning with real-world challenges and offer students the chance to apply what they’ve learned in a fast-paced, professionally engaged setting — without pausing their academic journey. Through a CCB, students...
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Gain experience working on real‑world challenges
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Develop skills in communication, critical thinking, and creative problem solving
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Learn directly from industry professionals partnered with CC faculty
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Build confidence and clarity around your professional goals
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Earn academic credit in an immersive, high‑impact format
What are some examples of recent CCBs?
What are some examples of recent CCBs?
Some of the recent Career Catalyst Blocks have included students spending 2 weeks at Mattel headquarters in L.A., exploring the U.S. justice system in the San Francisco Bay Area, learning how science is made approachable at National Geographic, and exploring the reality of wildfires and their environmental and economic impacts while attending Colorado Fire Camp.
You can check in on recent CCB's on our page dedicated to Recent Off-Campus Blocks.
How can I learn about current CCBs being offered?
How can I learn about current CCBs being offered?
You can find current year Career Catalyst Blocks, including any that are seeking applications right now, can be found on our Current Blocks Away page.
Check back periodically as CCBs can be announced and open application cycles at any point during the year, a major difference from other off-campus blocks.
How do I apply for a CCB?
How do I apply for a CCB?
As with other Block Away courses, you apply for a CCB through Summit. The CCB application may look a bit different from other blocks away and may ask for a résumé or other additional materials. You will also want to look for the deadline as most CCB application periods are shorter than the standard Block Away application window.
If there is a Career Catalyst Block currently open for applications, it will appear on this Summit site for CCB applications.
How does aid work for a CCB?
How does aid work for a CCB?
While the timing for CCB Aid Awards, just like the timing for CCB applications, is quite different from other Blocks Away, the aid itself is very similar.
Once approved for a CCB in Summit, you will automatically be reviewed for aid eligibility. If you are eligible, an aid award letter will be sent to you, outlining the amount of your award. All awards represent a percentage of the cost of the travel program, ranging from 20% awards up to 90% awards. The award will take into account the advertised program fee for the CCB as well as airfare, if it is not included in the program cost. No awards provide 100% coverage of the cost, so there will be some portion which you or your family will be expected to pay.
Quick Links to More Block Away & CCB Information
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Last updated: 09/14/2026