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Take a Triton to Work presents an opportunity for students seeking career and professional guidance to meet and interact with an alumni professional via a career conversation or job shadowing experience. Students get real-world advice in potential fields of interest and industries and alumni have the opportunity to share their valuable career insights. Scheduling is flexible, based on the preference of the participants, and meetups can take place in-person or virtually.

Key Dates

  • Now-Nov. 5: Students sign up by completing/updating their Tritons Connect profile and opt-in (See details in “How do I participate?”). Students will be prompted to complete a survey to confirm their registration.
  • Nov. 6: Match Day: Students and alumni are paired
  • Nov. 6-Dec. 8: Students reach out to introduce themselves and confirm a meetup
  • Dec. 18-Jan. 5: Meetups take place during Winter Break* (in-person and virtual)

    *Alumni hosts and students can choose an alternate date that works best for them.

How do I participate?

  • Join/login to Tritons Connect.
  • Complete/edit your profile by clicking on “Edit Profile.”
    • Upload a photo.
    • Include academic, volunteer/special interest information and experience.
    • Scroll down to the “Seek Mentoring” section and select “Take a Triton to Work.”
    • Enter professional experience or simply connect and sync your LinkedIn profile under "Settings" on the top right.
    • Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on “save.”
      Pro-Tip: Your complete Tritons Connect community profile serves as a reflection of you and is essential for matching, engaging with others, networking and personal branding.

       

  • Need help? Feel free to book an appointment with a Career Consultant on Handshake.
  • Questions? Contact careercenter@ucsd.edu

Sign up to Participate

Student Workshop

As a UC San Diego student, you have access to a robust Tritons Connect network — alumni, employers, parents, staff and faculty — who are willing to meet and share their post-graduation journeys. Take a Triton to Work offers students the unique opportunity to meet with these industry professionals for valuable career conversations. Understand how these tools can enhance your student experience.

Student Workshop video coming soon!

FAQs

What is Take a Triton to Work?

Take a Triton to Work connects current students with alumni to explore potential career paths without the pressure of grades or full-time internship commitments. Students can ask questions, exchange information and receive career and professional development guidance via a meeting or job shadowing experience.

Why should students participate?

  • Explore a pathway into a career field or industry and find out what it’s like to be a working professional.
  • Experience the workplace to get an inside perspective of a particular organization/field.
  • Learn how to apply formal education and experiences by engaging with successful Tritons.
  • Assess "fit" for a particular career, industry or organization.
  • Make Triton career connections with alumni who want to help.
  • Gain real-world, practical experience and practice networking.

How do I participate as a student?

To be paired with an alumni partner for the Winter Break session, join Tritons Connect and complete/update your profile by Sunday, Nov. 5.

  • 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 as you wish.
  • Scroll down to the “Seek Mentoring” section, choose “Take a Triton to Work.”
  • Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on “Save.”

What is the matching process?

Participating alumni and students will be paired and notified on Monday, November 6, 2023. After you’ve been matched, reach out and send a friendly message to introduce yourself to your alumna/us partner. Respond to their communication in a timely manner, exchange information and confirm the meetup by December 8.

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

During the 2023-24 academic year career exploration meetups will occur twice:

  • Winter Break: Mon., Dec. 18, 2023, to Fri., Jan. 5, 2024
  • Spring Break: Mon., March 25, to Fri., March 29, 2024

For the initial Winter Break session, alumni and students will be paired on November 6 and prompted to reach out and confirm their preference for either an in-person or virtual meetup, to occur between December 18 - January 5, (Winter Break). If the date range is not convenient, the paired host and student can choose a date that works best for them.

What if I have questions and need help?

Drop-in advising with a Career Peer Educator is available so that you can make the most out of Take a Triton to Work and other opportunities via Tritons Connect. You can also book a 1:1 appointment with a Career Consultant through Handshake. Discuss strategies for making the most out of your career exploration experience, the importance of showing initiative and how to follow through to build meaningful connections and relationships.

More information visit Career Center Advising

What does a typical Take a Triton to Work experience look like?

The length and structure of the experience is determined by the alumni host and may range from a virtual career exploration conversation, to an in-person job shadowing visit. This is an opportunity for you to learn more about their career journey and the path that led them there. Similarly, you are encouraged to share insights about yourself, the university and discuss today’s higher education learning experience.

What students are eligible to apply?

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

STUDENT RESOURCES