Business Trek

During the spring semester of their junior year, Sheedys embark on a two-and-half-day (Thursday evening to Saturday evening) trek to Chicago for an immersive professionalization experience. The itinerary is intense but rewarding. The students tour major companies, hear talks from leaders in different business fields, and network with Sheedy alumni in career-related workshops. Along the way, they practice skills like delivering professional introductions, pitching themselves to recruiters, and articulating questions during Q&A sessions.

In the evenings, they debrief their experiences from the day with Sheedy faculty and alumni to guide them. They also dialogue about their professional concerns and aspirations and participate in community-building activities. 

Students emerge from the Business Trek with a clearer, more realistic sense of what careers in different fields entail. They become more natural at networking with business professionals. According to their self-reports, they also gain more sophisticated ways of thinking about their futures and more confidence that their backgrounds in the liberal arts and business are preparing them for success.

Participating in the Business Trek is a requirement for all Sheedy students during their junior year unless they are studying abroad. Students studying abroad may participate during the spring of their sophomore year instead. 

The Sheedy Family Program provides meals and transportation for all participants. Students will meet with the program directors twice before the Trek to prepare for the experience.

The dates for the Spring 2025 Business Trek are Thursday, February 20  at 5 p.m. through Saturday, February 22 at 10 p.m.