The Colorado College Career Center and the Office of Alumni and Family Relations successfully completed Tiger Trek, a student tour of the D.C. area, highlighting prestigious alumni and potential career paths. This four-day pilot trip over the second block break in October 2016 provided students with valuable insights as well as the opportunity to make connections in their fields.
This experience was provided free for 12 students thanks to CC’s Student Government Association and a generous gift by Simon and Nancy Sidamon-Eristoff.
The students visited a variety of sites, including:
- Atlantic Council
- Population Services International
- World Affairs Council
- New York Times D.C. Bureau
- U.S. House of Representatives
- U.S. State Department
In addition to site visits, students met with 35 area alumni during an alumni networking reception. They capped off their trip with a meeting with CC Alumni Association Board President-elect Jesse Horn ’07, a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, and a young alumni panel focusing on the transition process to living and working in DC.
“It was a great opportunity to learn more about potential jobs and what life is like away from the CC bubble,” says Roo Smith ’20.
The students who attended the trip were competitively selected, were a range of ages and hailed from six countries. Each site and alumni host detailed their own career path as well advice and information on getting started through internships and job opportunities. The alumni testimonials broadened the students’ perspectives on their post-graduation plans.
“This was a great opportunity to talk to graduates about the transition from CC to living on your own,” says Savanah McDaniel ’17. “Not only did the alumni give fantastic advice, they are willing to keep in touch and lend a hand if we need one.”
Each student left with not only important insights, but also with the opportunity for future mentoring from dedicated alumni.
Due to the success of the inaugural Tiger Trek, plans are underway to expand the program to other major cities on a continual basis, including a trip to San Francisco in the spring. Tiger Treks will continue to serve the dual missions of preparing students for fulfilling careers and engaging with some of CC’s most prestigious alumni.
