This opportunity is only open to enrolled students during the duration of the program. The program is open to all majors and class years. Juniors, seniors and graduate students are given priority. International students are also eligible to apply as well as sophomores.

The Career Treks application has two parts. First, students will complete an online application and be asked to submit an updated resume, personal statement, and short-answer questions. Applications are reviewed by a panel of LMU staff and faculty and are scored based on a rubric. Once all submitted applications are reviewed, all applicants will be notified if they are accepted, waitlisted, or respectfully declined. Please know that our decisions are based on a combination of factors, including the match between your essay responses and the objectives of the program, as well as the competitiveness of the applicant pool. While we are unable to offer every applicant a spot, we encourage you to continue pursuing opportunities that align with your career aspirations, including future treks.

• Update/polish your resume​
• Showcase your career goals, interests​ and aspirations
• Read essay questions thoroughly and respond thoughtfully
• Original content is desired; proofread before submitting
• Minimal to no usage of AI is recommended
• Ensure a strong professional presence via your LinkedIn profile
• Visit CPD or the Writing Center for additional support

Participation at an information session is strongly recommended and gives applicants a competitive advantage. It also helps you learn more about expectations, confirmed employers, and the program’s agenda. An overview of the information session is available here and is mandatory to watch as part of the application process.

Yes! As long as the Treks do not overlap, you are welcome to apply to as many as you want. However, remember to check the industry, field or companies being explored in each Trek as these will vary.  Each application will be evaluated separately and will require different short answer responses. Previous participation in a Career Trek will not be considered during the application review.

Multi-day Treks:

The cost to participate is $250 plus your own flight costs. Our department covers your hotel stay, two meals daily, and transportation to and from each employer visit, as well as all events included in the Trek. Students should expect to cover their round-trip flight, one meal a day, and any other extraneous expenses such as snacks and souvenirs. Scholarships are available and can be requested in the application.

Local day treks:

The cost to participate is $20. CPD covers transportation (shuttle) costs, lunch and light snacks. Students should expect to eat breakfast before departure and bring other snacks with them if desired or needed.

Multi-day treks:

Yes, scholarships are available and can be requested in the application.

Local day treks:

No, since the cost to participate is only $20, we do not offer scholarships for day Treks.

The number of site visits depends on the specific Trek you are attending, as we offer a variety of Treks of differing lengths and career fields. Typically, students visit two employers each day of the Trek, and sometimes one on the last day before departing. For multi-day treks, we typically host an alumni mixer where you may interact with several more employers in an open networking environment.

The itinerary will vary slightly depending on each company host, but you can expect each visit to include a mix of these programming elements: a behind-the-scenes tour of the company’s space, a panel with employees and possible alumni in a variety of positions at the company, or some sort of interactive career activity. Depending on the Trek, it is also possible that we host a student/alumni networking mixer. Students leave with an in-depth inside perspective of the organization(s), early career advice tailored to their field/industry, and valuable professional connections within their industry of interest.  

Yes, for multi-day treks, you are dismissed after Trek programming ends and may extend your stay if you wish. You may also choose to arrive early before the Trek starts. However, please note that you will need to make your own lodging arrangements, as CPD will only cover your stay during official programming. CPD also cannot guarantee that students will be able to stay in the same hotel outside of the Trek dates. 

Multi-day Treks:

Accepted students are required to attend two mandatory prep sessions to review travel logistics, trip expectations, and to practice professional skills with the Career & Professional Development team leading the Trek. Accepted students are also required to complete mandatory assignments in a non-instructional Brightspace course. Assignments will include confirming payment and travel, completion of required forms, polishing your resume, updating your LinkedIn profile, completing the Career Launch Assessment, and researching the companies, employers and alumni participating in the Trek.

Local day Treks:

Accepted students are required to complete mandatory assignments in a non-instructional Brightspace course. Assignments will include confirming payment, completion of required forms, polishing your resume, updating your LinkedIn Profile, completing the Career Launch Assessment, and researching participating companies, employers, and alumni.

Local day treks are typically 8-9 hours with two company site visits, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The day will roughly run from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

At minimum, two professional staff members from Career and Professional Development will travel and stay with the students for the duration of the Trek and be accessible for questions, coaching, and on-site support. 

Company Visits: Smart casual
Alumni Networking Session: Business casual
Group/LMU-only activities: Casual

On every Career Trek, we want you to showcase your authentic professional expression by choosing an outfit that is appropriate and aligned with your personal style. Refer to the attachment below and the CPD website to view a quick style guide for professional environments like a Career Trek.

If you are in need of professional attire, please stop by our Mane Apparel Career Closet at our CPD Office in Von der Ahe 135.

Mane Apparel is a student-run, on-campus program that provides students with appropriate attire for career fairs, interviews, networking, and professional headshots. Inventory includes suits, blazers, skirts, button-down shirts, and more. The only cost to students is a cleaning fee after use.

Bring your LMU OneCard to CPD and ask the front desk how to begin to “shop” our career closet for free.

Each Career Trek application will be live by the noted deadlines on our website. We encourage you to follow us on social media, Facebook and Instagram: @lmucareers, and LinkedIn: LMU Career and Professional Development. Refer to our website occasionally for updates and contact us with questions at careers@lmu.edu.