Explore

Information for Employers

If you are looking for a way to gain greater name recognition on campus and work with highly motivated students, becoming an Explore Partner might be the answer for you. You will have the opportunity to meet students focused on their career development as early as their second year on campus. This motivated group of students has the potential to stay connected with Explore throughout their UConn career, giving you the opportunity to interact with these students for a period of two to four years.

What is Explore?

Explore is a four-semester, intensive career development program for University of Connecticut sophomore, junior, and senior students deciding on either a major or a career. Through one-on-one coaching and group workshops, Explore students learn how to make educated academic and career decisions and develop the skills necessary to succeed in their future profession by addressing topics related to the semester’s theme:

• Semester 1: Making Major/Career Decisions
• Semester 2: Making Connections and Gaining Experiences
• Semester 3: Developing and Implementing Job Search Strategies
• Semester 4: Transitioning from Student to Professional

What are the benefits of Explore?

Explore graduates report that they are more prepared than their peers to enter the workforce and graduate school. Explore allows participants to:

• Learn how to make good academic and career decisions that will lead to future success
• Identify personal interests, skills, and values
• Create a personal career development plan in order to achieve professional goals
• Develop résumé writing, cover letter writing, and interviewing skills
• Build professional skills sought by employers, such as leadership, communication, decision making, research, technology, and teamwork
• Learn about professional behavior and how to get the most out of their experiences
• Gain experience and opportunities for involvement and networking with employers

Why should my organization consider supporting Explore?

Organizations who contribute to Explore support a highly motivated group of University of Connecticut undergraduates who are honing their skills in order to find professional success. By supporting Explore, you would be:

• Providing a valuable learning experience for the next generation of professionals who may be struggling to find an academic or career focus today
• Building a better prepared and well-informed workforce for the future by developing and enhancing current students’ leadership, communication, decision making, and teamwork skills
• Helping young adults be more intentional and thoughtful about their professional and personal decisions
• Cultivating relationships with sophomore, junior, and senior year students and building name recognition for your organization with the University of Connecticut community

Explore contributors are designated as “Friends of Career Services”and receive enhanced visibility among University students, faculty, staff, and administration as a result of their generous support. “Friends of Career Services” is categorized into three tiers:

• Tier I – Financial donations of $5,000.00 or greater
• Tier II – Financial donations of $1,000.00-$4,999.99 or major event/program sponsorship
• Tier III – Financial donations of $999.99 or less, or in-kind donations

How can my organization contribute to Explore?

Organizations contributing to Explore might be involved with the following:

• Events
  Welcome Back Receptions *$
  
  • Educational receptions held at the beginning of each academic semester
  
  
  Recognition Banquet *$
  
  • End-of-the-year banquet to honor and acknowledge the accomplishments of Explore graduates
  
  
• Programs
  Employer Luncheons *$
  
  • Luncheons where students learn from professionals working in a particular field or industry
  Group Workshops/Presentations *
  
  • Presentations on career-related topics for Explore students
  Mock Interviews *
  
  • Practice interviews conducted by employer representatives
• Career Development
  Scholarships or Stipends for Unpaid Internships $
  Scholarships or Stipends for Professional Interview Attire $
  Career and Interest Assessments $
  Explore Educational Workbooks *$
  Professional Association Memberships or Conference Registration Fees $
  Job Shadowing/Informational Interview/Mentorship Opportunities *
  

* Denotes In-Kind Donation of Participation and/or Materials
$ Denotes Financial Contribution

Whom do I contact if my organization would like to become involved with Explore?

If you would like more information on how your organization can become involved with or contribute to Explore, please contact Rachel Larson, Career Consultant/Explore Program Manager, at Rachel.Larson@uconn.edu or (860) 486-3013 to discuss your interests and the program’s needs.