Career Treks

Overview

The UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media is committed to exposing our students to life in major media markets. During the fall and spring semesters, selected students participate in Career Treks to cities such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Charlotte and San Francisco/Silicon Valley.

These students meet in small groups with alumni and others working in media and journalism fields and get to experience what work-life is like in these cities.

The trips give students the opportunity to learn from alumni and make connections in their career fields that can help them secure jobs and internships in the future.

Among media and journalism outlets previously visited by students: The New York Times; CNN; Fox News; Edelman: Google; Facebook; YouTube; Rubenstein; FleishmanHillard; BBDO; BooneOakley; Charlotte Agenda; and NASCAR.

The school wishes to thank the Reuhl Family Foundation Excellence Fund for its financial support for Career Treks. Catherine Reuhl Becker is a class of 2003 alumna of the school. Additionally, the Hussman Alumni Association board supports the Career Treks through their participation and financial gifts.

2023-24 Information

There will be one Career Trek during fall 2023 — to New York City on Wednesday, October 18,  to Friday, October 20, over fall break. New York City over fall break. There will be two Career Treks in the spring: San Francisco over spring break and Austin, Texas, in May after graduation. The Austin trek is not for newly graduated students.

Applications for the New York trek will go live on Friday, September 8, at 7 a.m. and close when full.  Fourteen students will attend the trek. Applicants need a resume, headshot, PID and should be ready to answer why they want to go to New York City. Applicants must be current Hussman undergraduate students. All Hussman students can attend only one trek during their time at UNC.

All applicants will be notified by Wednesday, September 13, if they have been accepted or not.  

FALL 2023 CAREER TREK APPLICATION

For more information, please contact Career Services.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

From students:

Q: Do I have to be an Hussman student to apply?

A: Yes! To be selected, students must already be admitted into the school. Both undergraduate and graduate school students are welcome to apply.

Q: How much does the trip cost?

A: Students are responsible for their transportation to and from the destination city, as well as ground transportation and meal expenses throughout the trip. The school covers the cost of the students' hotel but not any parking fees.  Additional travel funds are available for students with financial need.  Students selected for the trips will be notified about how to apply for this funding.

Q: How much extra money should I bring?

A: Students are responsible for their own transportation and dining expenses, as well as any optional activities in the city that may cost money. Students can expect to spend about $100 to $200 of their own money during the trip, depending on the location of the trip.

Q: What should I wear to my meetings?

A: We suggest business attire. Acceptable attire includes blouses, dress shirts with ties, dress pants, skirts, dresses, blazers, and sport coats. Please plan to bring a pair of comfortable shoes if your dress shoes are not made for walking because participants often walk between appointments. No jeans.

Q: Are these meetings job interviews?

A: No. The meetings are for networking and educational purposes only. That said, our alumni regularly contact the school about hiring recent graduates and often ask students for resumes during the meetings. It is important to be prepared with work samples and resumes, just in case.

Q: Where do we stay?

A: The school books double-occupancy hotel rooms in the center of the city we are visiting. Locations are chosen to provide easy access to meeting locations.

Q: Do we have time to explore the city?

The school covers the hotel costs for two nights. Students are free to make their own accommodations to stay beyond those days to sight-see, shop, visit family and friends or schedule other meetings.

 

For more information

For more information, please contact Director of Career Services Jay Eubank or Assistant Director of Career Services Heather Stevenson.