College2Career Scholars

This cohort-based program provides entering students with enhanced career exploration and career readiness activities to build and strengthen their future professional identities. Designed to support students in making connections between their academic and future professional pursuits, this program provides enhanced individual and group career advising, mentoring, internships, and facilitated employer connections for selected scholars.

Over the course of four semesters, students will engage in activities including self-assessment and understanding, career pathing, and engaging with alumni and employers to develop their professional competencies.  Additionally, students will meet each semester with an assigned Career Educator to ensure progression in their career exploration and professional development. College2Career Scholars may choose to apply for Arcadia’s Intern Philly program, Virtual Europe program, or Arcadia’s Intern Abroad program to participate in customized internship placements (based upon their career interests) in locations including Philadelphia, London, Rome, Athens, Sydney, Edinburgh, or Dublin.

Additional Program Benefits

College2Career Scholars who complete all four semesters in the program will be eligible to apply for leadership positions as Career Scholar Mentors to offer guidance and support to new scholars in a future cohort. Additionally, students who complete all four semesters of program activities will receive a $500 grant to be applied to their tuition.

APPLY FOR COLLEGE2CAREER

Apply by June 30th for priority consideration. After June 30th, applicants will be considered for selection if space is available. All applicants will be notified by August 15th regarding application decisions.

First Semester

Career Scholars will commit roughly 8-10 hours in total to program activities during the first semester.

Group Sessions:  

• Students will participate in a virtual welcome activity before fall classes begin to meet their fellow scholars, program facilitator, and learn more about the program.
• Students will receive an introduction to and begin their e³ Career Action Plans. This is a step-by-step career exploration and professional development program that students will complete before graduation.
• Students will utilize online assessment tools to uncover their interests, values, skills, and strengths. A Career Educator will then guide students in understanding how their assessment results can be applied in their academic and future career pursuits. 

Individual Support:

• Students will participate in individual meetings with a Career Educator to ensure progression in their career exploration and professional development.

Second Semester 

Career Scholars will commit roughly 8-10 hours in total to program activities during the second semester.

Group Sessions: 

• Students will receive guidance on effective networking and informational interviewing to help support their career exploration and future internship and job search strategies.
• As VIP guests to Arcadia’s annual Internship & Career Fair (typically held in March) students will engage with Arcadia alumni and employers during a guest reception.  

Individual Support:

• Students will participate in informational interviews with Arcadia alumni to explore career areas of interest and gain professional insights into the world of work.
• Students will participate in individual meetings with a Career Educator to ensure progression in their career action plans.

Third Semester

Career Scholars will commit roughly 20-25 hours in total to program activities during the third semester. 

Group Sessions: 

• Students will participate in Arcadia’s Strategic Career Planning class. This two-credit course designed to increase awareness of the career planning process and expand understanding of the relationship between career education and the world of work. Through course meetings and assignments over 7 weeks, scholars will learn competencies such as interviewing, resume-writing, networking, and developing professional goals. 

Individual Support:

• Students will gain access to employers and a deeper understanding of career fields by participating in Road Trips to the Real World events over winter break. Local travel and registration fees for these visits will be provided.
• Students will participate in individual meetings with a Career Educator to ensure progression in their career action plans.

Fourth Semester and Beyond

Career Scholars will commit roughly 8-10 hours in total to program activities during their final semester with additional hours required for students who participate in the internship option.

Group Sessions:  

• Students will receive training on professional development topics such as Leading as a Young Professional, Workplace Etiquette, and Mentoring.
• Students will be provided the opportunity to serve as mentors to the incoming cohort.

Individual Support:

• Interested students will receive a guaranteed internship placement through Arcadia’s Intern Philly program, Virtual Europe program, or Arcadia’s Intern Abroad program.
• Students will participate in individual meetings with a Career Educator to ensure progression in their career action plans.

In addition to these activities, students may choose to attend additional group activities or excursions offered by the Program Coordinator to enhance their scholar experience. Apply by June 30th for priority consideration. After June 30th, applicants will be considered for selection if space is available. All applicants will be notified by August 15th regarding application decisions.