Career Catalyst Blocks
Career Catalyst Blocks are immersive, career-connected learning experiences that bridge classroom study with real-world application. Developed in partnership with employers and community organizations, Career Catalyst courses bring students and faculty together to explore complex challenges in authentic professional settings. Through hands-on projects, site visits, and collaboration with industry professionals, students gain practical skills, career insight, and the confidence to navigate future opportunities, all while deepening their understanding of how a liberal arts education connects to meaningful work in the world.
Experiential Education as a Course (Not all inclusive)
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TYPE |
Career Catalyst Block (CCB) |
Career Catalyst Projects |
Community Engaged Learning (CEL) |
Study Away/Field Studies (FS) |
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Type of Engagement |
Immersive, site-based interdisciplinary experience embedded within a single organization for a minimum of 7 to 10 days |
Disciplinary or interdisciplinary, project-based, and structured around a deliverable for an organization, these experiences naturally take on a consulting mode, drawing on students’ disciplinary expertise |
Disciplinary or interdisciplinary in nature collaborative projects or assignments with community partners to address real-world issues |
Disciplinary, site-based learning, typically involving multiple locations, not typically embedded within a single organization for over a week.
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Partner Types |
Corporations, NGO’s, Civic Institutions, non-profits |
Corporations, NGO’s, Civic Institutions, non-profits
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Mission-driven organizations (nonprofits, grassroots groups, government agencies, etc.) |
Research sites, cultural institutions, natural environments, laboratories, government agencies, community organizations, etc. |
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Focus |
Understanding how an organization functions internally and apply interdisciplinary knowledge to organizational challenge(s). Intentional reflection. |
Applying discipline-specific expertise to address an identified need or challenge for the partner organization, resulting in a tangible project or deliverable that supports the organization’s goals. |
Apply course content to community-identified needs, contributing to positive social change |
Observing, analyzing, and interpreting phenomena in real-world contexts to deepen disciplinary knowledge and connect theory to practice |
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Design Structure |
Co-designed by CC faculty and host organization; meets CCB established learning outcomes; focused on a central question that aligns with CC values |
Faculty - designed in collaboration with organization; integrated into course objectives and assignments |
Faculty – designed with input from community partners; integrated into course objectives and assignments |
Faculty-designed; fieldwork, site visits, and experiential activities are integrated into course objectives and assignments |
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Outcomes |
Enhanced professional skills, career exploration, strengthened career competencies. |
Discipline-specific skill development, applied problem-solving, tangible deliverable creation, and strengthened identified competencies. |
Enhanced civic learning, deeper understanding of social issues, meaningful community relationships, and strengthened identified competencies |
Strengthened disciplinary expertise, applied research and analytical skills, increased adaptability in varied settings, and enhanced competencies in observation, interpretation, and synthesis |
Express Interest in a Career Catalyst Block or Projector
Faculty interested in developing a Career Catalyst Block or project are invited to submit this form to share their ideas and indicate interest. Whether you already have a community or industry partner in mind or are seeking guidance in identifying one, the Career Catalyst team can help you shape an immersive, career-connected learning experience that aligns with your academic goals. Submitting this form is a great first step toward exploring how your course or project can connect students with real-world challenges and professional pathways.Gratitude to our Donors
With the generous support from donors, we’re working to ensure cost is never a barrier to opportunity and Career Catalyst Blocks are accessible to all students.
Thank you to Liz MacLean Larned ’83 P’21, P’23 and Barry MacLean P’83, G’21, G’23 for their transformational $2.5M gift in support of the Career Catalyst program.