Bear Treks

The Center for Career Engagement offers Bear Treks to provide students with immersive experiences in various industries in St. Louis and across the country. Bear Treks offer the opportunity for students to meet with employers, network with alumni, explore new industries, and gain valuable insights into company culture.

Students attending Bear Treks can engage directly with professionals in their fields of interest, fostering connections and learning about the day-to-day in different companies. Bear Trek alumni receptions allow students opportunities to tap into the expertise and experience of talented WashU alumni in top organizations. The Center for Career Engagement organizes Bear Treks to focus on connecting students with industries and alumni to explore potential career paths across industries, and to provide timely insight into industries at key moments in recruiting cycles.

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Bear Trek Funding

The Center for Career Engagement aims to ensure every student can participate in Bear Treks, regardless of their ability to pay.  

There is no cost to students to participate in St. Louis Bear Treks. Students accepted for a travel Bear Trek pay a $300 non-refundable program fee – here’s what’s included: 

  • Airfare or travel to the Bear Trek destination from St. Louis or a student’s hometown within the U.S. Travel from international locations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. All travel arrangements and requests are subject to approval by the Center for Career Engagement (CCE). The CCE reserves the right to deny any travel request at its discretion.
  • Hotel double room rate for the duration of the Bear Trek – see our Travel and Lodging Policy for more information; students are responsible for their own conduct and behavior throughout the program and during any travel or hotel arrangements connected to the program.
  • Networking lunches/dinners with industry professionals (please see individual Bear Trek programs for more details) 
  • Transporation between employer site visit locations 

Students are responsible for: 

  • Ground transportation costs to and from airports/train stations and any other transportation costs for non-Bear Trek related visits 
  • Meals not included in Bear Trek itinerary (please see individual Bear Trek programs for more details) 
  • Other hotel incidentals, baggage fees, souvenirs, etc. 

Additional Funding Details

Students participating in Center for Career Engagement Bear Treks are expected to contribute a $300 non-refundable program fee towards the cost of the Bear Trek. Need-based financial awards are available for those who qualify. See Bear Trek Financial Awards section below for details. For Bear Treks traveling outside St. Louis, the Center for Career Engagement will arrange a hotel room block for attendees and connect students with the university’s travel partner to arrange flights or train travel. Please review each Bear Trek program for more details. Students accepted to participate will receive information about how and when to submit payment and book travel. 

In the event a student is participating in a travel trek but will not need flight or hotel through the Center for Career Engagement, the program fee will be waived as follows: 

  • Either hotel or flight is not needed: Reduced fee of $150 
  • Both hotel and flight not needed: No payment needed

Bear Trek Financial Awards 

Need-based financial awards will be awarded to undergraduate students with financial need, up to the full cost of participation, including $300 program fee, plus ground transportation and meal reimbursement. Financial awards are based on financial need as determined by Student Financial Services. Bear Trek applications are need-blind and student financial need is not a factor in the selection process. There is no need to submit a separate application for a Bear Trek financial award.

Students who qualify to participate with no program cost will also receive reimbursement for ground transportation and meals. Qualifying students will receive additional details on covered costs and information on submitting receipts for reimbursement. Receipts for reimbursement must be submitted within 4 weeks from the end of the trek. Reimbursements will be processed and paid following the successful conclusion of the Bear Trek in the order in which they are received. Reimbursement submissions must include all needed information and receipts. Processing payments will be delayed for reimbursements submitted without correct or complete information until all needed information is submitted. It could take up to 3 months to receive reimbursement.

Additional details will be shared with qualifying students via email. If you have any questions about the program fee or financial awards, please contact careers@wustl.edu. 

St. Louis Local Bear Treks 

There is no cost to students to participate in Bear Treks in the St. Louis area. The Center for Career Engagement covers costs where applicable for transportation, networking lunches with industry professionals, etc. Please refer to individual Bear Trek itineraries for more details.