The Center for Career Engagement aims to ensure every student can participate in Bear Treks, regardless of their ability to pay.  Students accepted for a travel Bear Trek pay a $350 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 $350 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 $175 
• Both hotel and flight not needed: No payment needed

St. Louis Treks

There is no cost to students to participate in St. Louis Treks.

Need-based financial awards will be awarded to undergraduate students with financial need, up to the full cost of participation, including $350 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. 

There is no cost to students to participate in 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. 

We’re excited you’re interested in a Bear Trek! To make the selection process fair and consistent, all applications are reviewed using the same rubric and scored by CCE staff reviewers. Here’s what we look for:

• Resume: Focus on clarity and content
• Essay Responses: Be specific and authentic. We want to hear your story!
• Relevant Experience: No prior work, internship, or volunteer experience needed. Your effort and curiosity to explore the industry count. Exploration, coursework, personal projects & transferable skills all count.
• Some Bear Treks may have additional criteria. If a Trek has additional requirements, they will be clearly stated on the student-facing application, so you know before you apply.
• Campus & Community Involvement: There’s no “right” activity; show us how you spend your time!
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Inability to meet deadlines, such as confirmation/forms, payment, rooming preference, travel arrangements, resume uploads throughout trek process can forfeit particpation.

• Student participation will always take priority when determining available capacity for any Bear Trek
• A maximum of one faculty or staff representative may participate per Bear Trek unless otherwise approved by the Center for Career Engagement (CCE). Faculty and/or staff participation is not guaranteed and is subject to employer capacity, travel logistics, and overall program needs.
• Students, Faculty, Advancement staff, and other participating university representatives must commit to the full Bear Trek experience and are expected to attend all employer visits and scheduled activities. Partial participation, including attending only select visits or entering and exiting throughout the program, is not permitted.
• Faculty/staff participants and/or their academic department are responsible for all travel-related expenses associated with participation, including but not limited to:
  • Airfare or transportation
  • Lodging accommodations
  • Meals
  • Ground transportation throughout the trek
  • Any additional incidental travel expenses
• The CCE is not responsible for coordinating, booking, or funding faculty/staff travel accommodations or any/all travel expenses.
• The Center for Career Engagement reserves the right to limit or deny faculty/staff participation requests to maximize student participation and maintain employer host capacity. Employer Engagement Leadership will make final approvals on faculty or staff participation per Bear Trek. Please contact CaseyJenkerson@wustl.edu with any questions.