ExpLORE
Discovering Career Directions
Are you feeling lost deciding on your major or career direction?
Do you want to develop career goals to help you become more focused?
Do you want to improve your decision-making skills in a structured environment?
If you have answered yes to any of the above questions, ExpLORE may be the program for YOU!
What is ExpLORE?
ExpLORE, which stands for Experiences and Learning Opportunities in Real-world Environments, is a four semester personalized, structured career development program designed to meet the specific career exploration needs of UConn sophomore and junior students deciding on either a major or a career. Through one-on-one coaching with an assigned Career Consultant and group workshops with other ExpLORE participants, ExpLORE students learn how to make educated academic and career decisions and develop the skills necessary to obtain an internship prior to or upon graduation from the ExpLORE program (the end of their junior year).
Essentially, ExpLORE packages all of the services offered by Career Services into a four semester personalized, structured program. Regardless of how lost or focused you feel about majors or careers, ExpLORE can help!
Who is eligible to participate in ExpLORE? How do I become involved with ExpLORE?
Students are eligible to apply for ExpLORE during the Fall semester of their sophomore year. Students must complete the online application form by the required deadline and attend an enrollment meeting in order to be fully admitted into the program. Participation in the program lasts four semesters until the end of the students’ junior year.
ExpLORE registration for the 2007-2008 academic year has ended. For inquiries about the program, please email explore@uconn.edu
First-year students who want to get a head start with ExpLORE are eligible for Pre-ExpLORE during their second semester. Applications for Pre-ExpLORE are accepted during the Spring semester of a student’s first year of college. Students must complete the online application form by the required deadline and attend an enrollment meeting in order to be fully admitted into the program. If you are interested in Pre-ExpLORE, contact Career Services at explore@uconn.edu or 860-486-3013.
How does ExpLORE work?
Figuring out what to do with your life can at times be confusing and frustrating. Part of the reason for this uncertainty is that the process of career development is not linear, meaning when you finish one step you don't necessarily move on to the next; you may start at the beginning again, or even somewhere in the middle. This is all completely normal! Joining ExpLORE can help you make sense of all the confusion.
ExpLORE’s success relies on the dual use of individual and group coaching to assist students as they progress through the career development process.
Immediately upon their enrollment in the program, students are assigned a Career Consultant. Your Consultant works with you one-on-one throughout your four semesters to determine where you are in the career development process, what activities would most benefit you, and how best to identify and achieve your professional goals.
Additionally, ExpLORE students participate in several group workshops with other ExpLORE students in their cohort who are in a similar stage of the career development process. These workshops occur two to four times per semester and discuss topics relating to the theme of the semester. These themes are:
- Semester 1: Making Major/Career Decisions
- Semester 2: Making Connections and Gaining Experiences
- Semester 3: Developing and Implementing Job Search Strategies
- Semester 4: Transitioning from Student to Professional
Click here for a sample semester by semester Professional Development Plan for ExpLORE.
What are the benefits of ExpLORE?
ExpLORE graduates report that they are more prepared to enter the workforce or graduate school than their peers. This success is due to the many benefits ExpLORE provides. ExpLORE allows participants to:
- Learn how to make good career decisions today that will help you succeed tomorrow
- Discover new majors and how they relate to careers
- Apply classroom theory to hands-on learning
- “Try-on” various careers to see if they are right for you
- Develop resume writing, cover letter writing, and interviewing skills
- Gain a competitive edge in the job market building professional skills sought by employers such as leadership, communication, decision-making, researching, computer, and teamwork
- Learn about professional behavior in the workplace and how to get the most out of your experiences
- Connect and build rapport with assigned Career Consultant and other Career Services’ staff
- Receive additional opportunities for involvement and networking with employers
What do student participants say about ExpLORE?
According to a recent survey, 94.1% of current ExpLORE participants recommend the program to others.
- “ExpLORE has given me opportunities that I wouldn’t have found elsewhere on the UConn campus. A voluntary program that will shape your career exactly the way you’ve envisioned.”
- “It’s a great program. It headed me in the right direction and kept me motivated to keep searching for what I really wanted to do.”
- “This program has helped me become more motivated to create a future that I am going to enjoy.”
- “It was all very informative and helpful. This program is really just a wonderful opportunity for college students. I’m lucky to be in it.”
- “I have learned that even though I am still unsure about career plans, I have taken the right first steps.”
What employers sponsor ExpLORE?
- Department of Children and Families, State of Connecticut
- Department of Mental Retardation, State of Connecticut
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car
- Liberty Mutual
- Philip Morris USA
- Target
- The Hartford
- Travelers
- Webster Bank
- University of Connecticut Alumni Association
Who do I contact if I have questions about ExpLORE?
If you have questions about ExpLORE, contact Career Services at 860-489-3013 or email explore@uconn.edu.
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