Explore
Discovering Career DirectionsAre you having trouble deciding on your major or career options?
Do you want to develop career goals to help you become more focused?
Do you want to improve your decision-making skills in a structured environment?
If you have answered yes to any of the above questions, Explore may be the program for YOU!
What is Explore?
Explore is a four-semester career development program designed to meet the specific career exploration needs of UConn sophomore and junior students deciding on either a major or a career. Through one-on-one coaching with a career consultant and group workshops, Explore students learn how to make educated academic and career decisions and develop the skills necessary to succeed in their future professions.
Essentially, Explore packs all of the services offered by Career Services into a four-semester personalized, structured program. Regardless of how lost or unfocused you feel about majors or careers, Explore can help!
Who is eligible to participate in Explore?
Students are eligible to apply for Explore during the fall semester of their sophomore year. First-year students who want to get a head start with Explore are eligible for Pre-Explore during the spring semester.
All students, whether applying to Explore or Pre-Explore, must be available to attend the required group workshops in order to participate in the program. Group workshop dates can be found on the online application.
How do I become involved with Explore?
Students eligible for Explore must complete the online application form by the required deadline and attend an enrollment meeting in order to be fully admitted into the program. Applications for Explore are accepted for sophomore students during the Fall semester.
Explore registration for the 2009-2010 academic year has ended. For inquiries about the program, please email explore@uconn.edu.
Applications for Pre-Explore are accepted during the Spring semester of a student’s first year of college. If you are interested in Pre-Explore, check this website in January 2010 or contact Career Services at explore@uconn.edu or 860-486-3013.
How does Explore work?
Explore’s success relies on the dual use of individual and group coaching to assist students as they progress through the career development process.
Immediately upon enrollment in the program, students are assigned a career consultant. Your consultant works with you one-on-one throughout your four semesters in the program to determine where you are in the career development process, what activities would most benefit you, and how best to identify and achieve your goals.
Additionally, Explore students participate in several group workshops with other Explore students in their cohort. These workshops occur two to four times per semester and address topics relating to the theme of the semester:
- 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
Click here for a sample semester-by-semester Professional Development Plan for Explore.
What are the benefits of Explore?
Explore graduates report that they are more prepared to enter the workforce or graduate school than their peers. This success is due to the many benefits Explore provides. 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
- Discover and research interesting majors and careers
- 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
- Learn about professional behavior in the workplace and how to maximize their experiences
- Receive long-term personalized attention from a career consultant
- Gain experience and additional opportunities for involvement and networking with employers
What do students say about Explore?
"“Explore has far exceeded my expectations. I find that as a participant of Explore I was far ahead of the rest of the students in finding and obtaining an internship, having a résumé completed, navigating the career fairs, and all the skills that one needs for life after graduation. Explore was able to guide me through the process step by step and sharpen my skills to succeed in the future.”
- Milind Kamdar, Economics, 2008 Explore Graduate
“I was undecided on my major and had no idea what I wanted to do or where to even start. Explore seemed like the perfect opportunity to help me in the right direction. I found a major I am passionate about, and I was motivated to get more involved on campus and build my résumé. Had I not joined Explore, I do not think I would feel as prepared and confident to enter the professional world as I do now.”
- Christine Pare, Sociology, 2008 Explore Graduate
“Explore was very helpful because it provided one-on-one time with a career counselor who assisted me at different stages during my college career. My counselor was very helpful in setting goals and providing feedback for my résumé. Explore also provided valuable workshops such as networking and finding an internship, which aided in my career search.”
- Tamara Roman, Molecular and Cell Biology, 2008 Explore Graduate
What employers and organizations support Explore?
- Connecticut Defenders
- The Connecticut State Museum of Natural History
- Department of Children and Families
- ESPN
- GE
- Hartford Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (HYPE)
- Mansfield Middle School
- Office of the Attorney General
- Philip Morris USA
- Teach for America
- Travelers
- UNESCO
- Webster Bank
- University of Connecticut
- Alumni Association
- Academic Center for Exploratory Students (ACES)
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS)
- Community Outreach
- Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center (PRLACC)
- Senior Transition and Engagement Programs (STEP)
- University Communications Office
Whom do I contact if I have questions about Explore?
If you have questions about Explore, contact Career Services at (860) 486-3013 or email explore@uconn.edu.
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