Career Academy opens students’ eyes to unique career paths
Miami University students travel to New York City to explore career opportunities
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Published
Career Academy participants pose for a picture during a visit to IBM.
Career Academy opens students’ eyes to unique career paths
Miami University students travel to New York City to explore career opportunities
•
Published
Fiona Keenan went to New York City with a clear sense of direction but left with new career options she never considered.
Given her hopes of breaking into the fashion and makeup industry, Turner Construction was nowhere near the top of her potential employers list. But, after asking one question at a Q&A session, she was sold.
“I asked one question to someone who worked in HR about what I could possibly do with them, and she gave me five different things I could do,” said Keenan, a sophomore Nutrition and Psychology double major. “I felt like I needed to work there immediately.”
From March 22-25, Keenan was one of 25 Miami University students who traveled to New York City to explore career opportunities. During their Career Academy trip, students visited AlphaSights, Catalyst Brands, Ernst and Young (EY), International Business Machines (IBM), and Turner Construction.
Career Academy is designed for students who want to gain skills needed in today’s workforce, advance their cultural competencies, and explore potential career paths. It also introduces them to a wide range of industries, encouraging them to step outside the classroom and gain real-world insight. By visiting organizations in a major city, students learn about roles and industries that may align with their interests and begin identifying goals that lead to long-term success.
For some students, this exposure leads to reflection. Senior Arts Management and Arts Entrepreneurship double major Olivia West found herself interacting with companies in a new way.
“It felt like more of me interviewing them than being interviewed in a way,” West said. “Like, do I see myself here? Would I fit in?”
Like Keenan, West initially had little interest in Turner Construction. This changed during the trip.
“Going on this trip opened my eyes to the idea that I can be a strategist and an innovator in other ways and other roles,” West said. “The companies I really didn’t even look into, like Turner, were surprisingly the ones I ended up liking the most.”
This shift in perspective is exactly what Career Academy aims to achieve.
“This trip is pivotal because it gives students an inside look into the culture and priorities of these organizations,” said Brandon Prew, director of experiential education. “Until you get that viewpoint, you’re really just guessing. I tell this to students all the time: Until you get into the field, meet with companies, and get some exposure to these professional organizations, you just don’t know how you’re going to feel about them.”
Beyond career exploration, students also gained practical professional skills. Scout Tincher, a senior Arts Management and Arts Entrepreneurship major, noted the experience helped students apply professionalism in real-world settings.
“The trip provided exposure to practicing professionalism, and it was fulfilling in that way of being present,” Tincher said.
As participants like West and Keenan discovered, exposure to new opportunities fosters confidence, curiosity, and growth. Through these experiences, Career Academy helps students grow into perpetual learners and emerging leaders.
The Center for Career Exploration and Success offers Miami students a range of programs and events, including networking opportunities with employers and alumni, professional development workshops, and career exploration activities. Visit its Programs and Events page to learn more about future offerings.
Given her hopes of breaking into the fashion and makeup industry, Turner Construction was nowhere near the top of her potential employers list. But, after asking one question at a Q&A session, she was sold.
“I asked one question to someone who worked in HR about what I could possibly do with them, and she gave me five different things I could do,” said Keenan, a sophomore Nutrition and Psychology double major. “I felt like I needed to work there immediately.”
From March 22-25, Keenan was one of 25 Miami University students who traveled to New York City to explore career opportunities. During their Career Academy trip, students visited AlphaSights, Catalyst Brands, Ernst and Young (EY), International Business Machines (IBM), and Turner Construction.
Career Academy is designed for students who want to gain skills needed in today’s workforce, advance their cultural competencies, and explore potential career paths. It also introduces them to a wide range of industries, encouraging them to step outside the classroom and gain real-world insight. By visiting organizations in a major city, students learn about roles and industries that may align with their interests and begin identifying goals that lead to long-term success.
For some students, this exposure leads to reflection. Senior Arts Management and Arts Entrepreneurship double major Olivia West found herself interacting with companies in a new way.
“It felt like more of me interviewing them than being interviewed in a way,” West said. “Like, do I see myself here? Would I fit in?”
Like Keenan, West initially had little interest in Turner Construction. This changed during the trip.
“Going on this trip opened my eyes to the idea that I can be a strategist and an innovator in other ways and other roles,” West said. “The companies I really didn’t even look into, like Turner, were surprisingly the ones I ended up liking the most.”
This shift in perspective is exactly what Career Academy aims to achieve.
“This trip is pivotal because it gives students an inside look into the culture and priorities of these organizations,” said Brandon Prew, director of experiential education. “Until you get that viewpoint, you’re really just guessing. I tell this to students all the time: Until you get into the field, meet with companies, and get some exposure to these professional organizations, you just don’t know how you’re going to feel about them.”
Beyond career exploration, students also gained practical professional skills. Scout Tincher, a senior Arts Management and Arts Entrepreneurship major, noted the experience helped students apply professionalism in real-world settings.
“The trip provided exposure to practicing professionalism, and it was fulfilling in that way of being present,” Tincher said.
As participants like West and Keenan discovered, exposure to new opportunities fosters confidence, curiosity, and growth. Through these experiences, Career Academy helps students grow into perpetual learners and emerging leaders.
The Center for Career Exploration and Success offers Miami students a range of programs and events, including networking opportunities with employers and alumni, professional development workshops, and career exploration activities. Visit its Programs and Events page to learn more about future offerings.
Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg.