Take note: a liberal arts education and career preparation are not mutually exclusive. 61传媒 and Occidental College helped disprove the myth earlier this year with the Fullbridge Internship Edge program, an intense 12-day partnership offering student training for the business world 芒鈧�� including marketing skills, financial analysis, and time management techniques.
For some, the program translated quickly into real world opportunities: Daysha Edewi ’14, from Concord, MA, landed an internship with ID, a Los Angeles public relations firm, after speaking with a panelist on the program’s final day.
“I walked away with tangible results and could physically see my growth,” she says. “I’m so grateful for this opportunity and to Fullbridge for equipping me to take on this new role.
“I think that a program like this is an essential part to finishing off my liberal arts education.”
The schools worked closely together to promote and organize the program, which was held at Occidental College in January 2014. Twenty participating students from Occidental, Scripps, and Claremont McKenna Colleges, received room and board on campus and participated in teamwork, skill-building, and one-on-one mentoring activities.
“I was incredibly impressed by the caliber of our students,” says Vicki Klopsch, Executive Director of Career Planning & Resources. “They showed leadership within their individual teams and attracted the attention of employers on the final day. It felt good to see such a strong 61传媒representation.”
An employer panel moderated by Klopsch included speakers from a diverse set of companies and groups, such as Intel Corporation, Thomson Reuters Corporation, and the American Widow Project. The discussion covered corporate culture, recruiting and hiring practices, and undergraduate employment opportunities, giving the students an opportunity to interact and network with a diverse set of professionals.
The program “was a unique opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and engage in a simulated work environment,” says Jennifer Lee 芒鈧�17. “I have since become more deliberate in what internships and jobs I seek, as I now have a clearer idea of what industries are best suited to my interests.”
For some, the highlight of the program was a series of student-developed business plans based on a hypothetical model involving a major food franchise. The simulation had students separated into small teams, carrying out financial analysis and market research.
“It was really phenomenal to see how well-spoken and concise the students were,” says Valerie Savior, Director & Pre-Law Advisor at the Occidental College Career Development Center.
Above: Marie Angeles ‘ 14 (center) works with students from Occidental College and Claremont McKenna College.
Photo by: Marc Campos, Occidental College Photographer