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Become a Host

Take a Triton to Work presents a meaningful way for an alumni professional to positively impact the life of a student via a professional development conversation or job shadowing experience. Alumni have the opportunity to share valuable career insights, while students gain real world perspectives in potential fields of interest and industries. Scheduling is flexible, based on the preference of the participants, and meetups can take place in-person or virtually.

Key Dates

  • Now through Feb. 18: Alumni hosts sign up by completing/updating their Tritons Connect profile. and opt-in (See details in “How do I participate?”)
  • Feb. 20: Match Day: Alumni and students are paired.
  • Feb. 20-Mar. 15: Students reach out to introduce themselves and confirm a meetup.
  • Feb. 26-Mar. 29: Meetups take place leading up to and through Spring Break (in-person and virtual).

How do I participate?

  • Join/login to Tritons Connect.
  • Complete/update your profile by clicking on “Edit Profile” in the upper right-hand corner.
    • Upload a photo.
    • Add professional information about your Job Title, Company, and Job Function. Include at least one representative Industry/Research Field.
    • Scroll down to the “Offer Mentoring” section and check “Take a Triton to Work.”
    • If you have a LinkedIn profile, enter the URL and other social media links, and include additional interests, experiences and affinities.
    • Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on “save.”
  •  Questions? Contact alumni@ucsd.edu
Sign Up to Become a Host

FAQs

What is Take a Triton to Work?

Some of the most influential experiences for UC San Diego students and alumni are when they have the opportunity to connect and engage with one another. This program allows current students to partner with alumni to explore their aspirational career paths without the pressure of a grade or full-time internship commitment. Experiences vary from a coffee chat to a job shadowing experience mirroring a typical day at a workplace and can be in-person or virtual career conversations. The length and structure of the opportunity is determined by you, the alumni host.

Why should I participate as a Take a Triton to Work host?

  • Share knowledge and expertise about work and careers, as well as personal stories about pathways to success and potential challenges.
  • Assist UC San Diego students with their career development.
  • Build a stronger Triton network through relationships with students who may someday be employees or colleagues.
  • Increase company brand recognition and build a potential pipeline for future opportunities at your organization.

How do I participate as an alumni host?

To be paired with a student for the winter/spring session, join/sign in to Tritons Connect and complete/update your profile by Sunday, Feb. 18.

  • To view your profile, click on your small round profile photo in the upper right-hand corner of the page.
  • Click on “Edit Profile” to change or add information about you and your career.
  • Add professional information about your Job Title, Company, and Job Function. Include at least one representative Industry/Research Field.
  • Scroll down to the “Offer Mentoring” section, choose “Take a Triton to Work.”
  • If you have a LinkedIn profile, enter the URL and other social media links, and include additional interests, experiences and affinities.
  • Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on “Save” to save all your changes.

What is the matching process?

Participating alumni and students will be paired and notified. After you’ve been matched, you are welcome to sit back and wait for your student to send you a message or you can reach out to introduce yourself and initiate the meetup.

When does the Take a Triton to Work program take place?

Beginning on February 20, students who’ve been paired with alumni will reach out to introduce themselves and initiate a career conversation to happen leading up to and through Spring Break (March 25, 2024-March 29, 2024). Alumni hosts and students can choose dates that work best for them.

What does a typical career conversation look like?

Career conversation logistics is based on your time, what you can offer, the nature of your industry and profession, and you and your student’s availability. Ideally, the mutually beneficial experience will be a friendly informational conversation where your student can learn more about your career field and the path that took you from UC San Diego to where you are today. You can ask questions to gain insight about your student, the university and today’s higher education learning experience.

What students are eligible to apply?

While the program is geared toward undergraduate students, all students can participate.

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