How can career services boost student engagement in career treks?
Promote treks as adventures tied to career goals, offer incentives, build a community, and add fun, flexible formats including virtual participation to broaden access. Use visuals, testimonials, and pre-trek workshops to shape intent.
Today’s students are eager for more than classroom learning; 81% seek real-world experiences to bring their studies to life.
When done right, Career Treks offer a powerful way to bridge that gap, allowing students to explore industries, connect with professionals, and gain clarity on their career paths.
However, creating genuine excitement and engagement around these opportunities can sometimes be a challenge for career services teams.
To help you get it right, here are 5 straightforward strategies to turn Career Treks into must-attend, unforgettable experiences for students.
1. Promote Career Treks as an Adventure, Not a Chore
Let’s face it—if students think Career Treks are just another career development activity, they may not sign up.
Instead, market these treks as exciting adventures.
Emphasize the chance to visit different cities, meet industry leaders, and explore real work environments in their field of interest.
Encourage students to see it as a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in their dream industries and get behind-the-scenes access to top companies.
By positioning Career Treks as something more than a learning experience, you’ll ignite excitement and curiosity.
Pro Tip: Promote Career Treks with visuals of past trips, showcasing unique locations and immersive activities. Consider adding student testimonials sharing their excitement or transformative experiences.
Also Read: Hiration vs VMock - What’s Right for your Career Center?
2. Tie Treks to Their Career Goals
Students want to know how something benefits them, and Career Treks are no different.
To boost engagement, make sure you’re tying the experience directly to their career goals.
Help them understand how the trek can:
- Clarify their career path
- Offer networking opportunities with professionals who could be future employers
- Provide real-world insights that will enhance their resumes or interview prep
Pro Tip: Host a pre-trek workshop where students can reflect on their career goals and identify what they hope to learn during the trek. This way, they’re not just going to observe but to actively shape their career journey.
Also Read: Is Hiration a Better Big Interview Alternative for Career Centers?
3. Offer Incentives for Participation
Sometimes students need that extra nudge.
Offering incentives—like course credit, certificates, or priority access to future events—can increase participation.
Highlighting these benefits during your promotional efforts ensures students understand the additional value.
Even something as simple as hosting a follow-up event where students can share their trek experiences with peers and win prizes can create a buzz.
These kinds of incentives give students tangible reasons to get involved.
Case Study: How Rasmussen University optimized 3000+ resumes with Hiration.
4. Create a Community Vibe
One of the biggest engagement drivers is community.
When students feel like they’re part of a group or community, they are more likely to stay engaged.
Consider forming a Career Trek group where students can interact, share their goals, and support each other leading up to and after the trek.
You can even appoint a few trek ambassadors or student leaders to organize meet-ups, provide information, and keep the group energized.
This sense of community builds excitement and ensures that students feel connected to the experience, rather than approaching it as an individual task.
Also Read: How to combat counselor burnout with AI?
5. Make Career Treks Fun and Flexible
While Career Treks are professional in nature, they don’t have to feel like a rigid, formal event.
Incorporate fun elements—like team challenges, social media contests, or scavenger hunts—during the trek to make the experience more dynamic and enjoyable.
Also, don’t forget to offer virtual trek options.
Not all students can travel or attend in person, so providing flexible, virtual options opens up the experience to more participants.
You can include virtual tours, online networking events, and Zoom meetings with industry professionals.
This adaptability increases access and engagement, ensuring more students can benefit from the program.
Also Read: Hiration vs Quinccia - Which is the better option?
Final Thoughts
With the right approach, Career Treks can offer students valuable industry exposure and networking opportunities that can shape their career paths.
And to ensure your students are fully prepared for these opportunities, Hiration provides the tools they need to succeed.
From polished resumes to mock interview practice and optimized LinkedIn profiles, our tools are built to empower your career services team and your students.
We’ve already helped students in 100+ institutions like NYU Stern and CSU Fullerton create and review over 1 million resumes, ensuring they present themselves in the best light during these crucial experiences.
Why not see how Hiration can support your team?
Book a demo and get started with a no-commitment, free pilot, and zero setup fees, and discover how effortless career preparation can be for both you and your students.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a Career Trek?
A Career Trek lets you explore industries, connect with professionals, and gain clarity on your career path. When done right, it bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world experiences.
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How do you promote Career Treks to attract students?
Market treks as exciting adventures. Emphasize visits to different cities, meetings with industry leaders, and exploration of real work environments in their field of interest.
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How do you tie Career Treks to students' career goals?
Tie the experience directly to their career goals. Explain how the trek can clarify their career path, offer networking with professionals who could be future employers, and provide real-world insights that enhance resumes or interview prep.
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What incentives increase participation in Career Treks?
Offer incentives like course credit, certificates, or priority access to future events. You can also host a follow-up event where students share trek experiences with peers and win prizes.
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How do you create a community vibe around Career Treks?
Create a Career Trek group where students interact, share goals, and support each other. Appoint trek ambassadors or student leaders to organize meet-ups, provide information, and keep the group energized.
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What activities make Career Treks more fun and engaging?
Incorporate team challenges, social media contests, or scavenger hunts during the trek to make the experience more dynamic and enjoyable.
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How can you make Career Treks more accessible for students who cannot travel?
Offer virtual trek options that include virtual tours, online networking events, and Zoom meetings with industry professionals. This adaptability increases access and engagement.
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What common mistake should you avoid when promoting Career Treks?
Avoid framing treks as just another career development activity, or students may not sign up. Position them as something more than a learning experience to ignite excitement and curiosity.
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What is the difference between in-person and virtual Career Treks?
In-person treks can offer behind-the-scenes access to top companies. Virtual options include virtual tours, online networking events, and Zoom meetings with industry professionals.
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Why do students seek real-world experiences alongside classroom learning?
Students seek real-world experiences to bring their studies to life. 81% seek real-world experiences to bring their studies to life.
