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.

Bear Trek Funding

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 Bear Trek pay a $300 non-refundable deposit – here’s what’s included: 

• Hotel single room rate for the duration of the Bear Trek 

• Airfare or train travel to/from the Bear Trek destination 

• 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 

• Meals not included in Bear Trek itinerary (please see individual Bear Trek programs for more details) 

• Other hotel incidentals, souvenirs, etc. 

Additional Funding Details

Students participating in Center for Career Engagement Bear Treks are expected to contribute a $300 non-refundable deposit towards the cost of the Bear Trek, although need-based financial awards are available. 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. Students are responsible for their own costs of ground transportation to and from airports/train stations and meals not included in the Bear Trek program. 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 deposit fee will be waived as follows: 

• Either hotel or flight is not needed: Reduced deposit of $150 

• Both hotel and flight not needed: No deposit 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 program deposit, 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 receive a financial award including reimbursement for ground transportation and meals will receive 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 within 6 weeks of submission, in the order in which they are received. 

If you have any questions about the program deposit 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.