From classroom to career: Pamplin students explore professional paths in D.C. area
The two-day trip gave hands-on exposure to consulting, tech, and sports business.
Thirty-six hours. Thirty-two students. Countless career connections.
This fall, Pamplin College of Business students embarked on a career trek to the greater Washington, D.C., area to meet with alumni and professionals from the Washington Commanders, Deloitte, and Appian. Organized by Pamplin Career Services, the free program connects students with companies to explore a wide range of career paths.
Pamplin Career Services hosts one trek each fall and spring. The fall trip received a record 250 applications. Selected students receive free round-trip transportation, hotel accommodations, and meals.
“This trek changed my perspective on my career because it exposed me to potential career paths that I hadn't explored before,” said Frencesca Nolen, a sophomore double majoring in management consulting and analytics and finance. “It was really cool to see how many different career paths I could pursue.”
Students departed from Blacksburg with their sights set on Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, home of the Washington Commanders. As part of the organization’s College Night, students met with representatives from the Commanders’ front office and peers from other universities. Alongside Virginia Tech were American University, George Washington University, Mount St. Mary’s University, and James Madison University. Students also attended a Monday night game between the Commanders and the Chicago Bears.
“Career treks give students an inside look at organizations in a way that simply isn’t possible on campus. They offer a unique opportunity to step into real workplaces and connect with employers who are actively interested in Pamplin talent,” said Jennifer Tortora, Pamplin’s director of career services. “We are excited to continue offering these experiences at no cost, helping students explore career opportunities and make meaningful professional connections.”
On day two, the trek continued with stops at Deloitte in Arlington and Appian in McLean.
At Deloitte and Appian, students gained insight into consulting careers through presentations and hands-on demonstrations. Representatives from Deloitte and Appian spoke about their organizations, discussed the opportunities available for students, and hosted product demonstrations for students to engage with products that touch on artificial intelligence, sustainability, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure. Students also took tours of the facilities and had Q&A sessions with company leaders.
“It’s a great chance to explore different career paths and discover what really excites you. If you're spending 30 years at a company, you'd better be passionate about what you're doing,” said Miller Bogarde, a sophomore majoring in business information technology. "The career trek definitely gives you a clearer idea of the kind of work you could see yourself doing long-term.”
Applications for the spring career trek open in January. Selection is based on demonstrated interest, quality of application responses, and resume. In addition to the spring trek, Pamplin Career Services will host winter break company visits at CGI and Marriott International. Applications for the winter break company visits are now open and can be found on the Pamplin Career Services website.
