Career BRIDGE Program

The application for the Spring 2027 Career BRIDGE course is available on the Cornell Experience site here.

What is Career BRIDGE?

Career BRIDGE: Building Readiness, Insight, Direction, Growth, & Experience is a new academic and career development program launching in Spring 2027 for Cornell University College of Arts & Sciences undergraduate students.

Designed specifically for first- and second-year students, Career BRIDGE helps participants build early career confidence, explore professional pathways, and develop practical skills for future internships and post-graduate careers. Through a combination of classroom learning, faculty expertise, and engagement with alumni and employers, students gain a deeper understanding of how their Arts & Sciences education connects to a wide range of career possibilities. 

Students will follow one of three career tracks during the course. With their track, they will have specialized content and engagement opportunities throughout the course. 

The inaugural course will focus on three areas of career interest:

• Finance
• Social Impact & Government (including nonprofits, NGOs, law, and public policy)
• Writing Careers (including journalism, publishing, communications, and marketing)

As the program grows, future cohorts may explore additional career pathways such as technology, consulting, healthcare, creative industries, media, and more.

To join Career BRIDGE, students must complete an application detailing their interest in their career track of choice and motivation for taking the Career BRIDGE course.

Career BRIDGE students are selected based on their interest in career exploration, their willingness to actively engage with peers and professionals, and their desire to build foundational career knowledge early in their Cornell experience. Students from all backgrounds and academic interests within Arts & Sciences are encouraged to apply. Students do not need to have a defined career plan or prior professional experience to participate.

The program is designed as an entry point to career exploration and professional development, making it particularly valuable for students who are beginning to think about their future goals and want structured support as they navigate their options.

For questions about the program, please contact the Arts & Sciences Career Development team at as_careers@cornell.edu.

What Will Students Experience?

Throughout the semester, students will explore career-related topics from both academic and practical perspectives.

The course will feature:

• Faculty guest speakers sharing insights from their areas of expertise, including topics such as labor market trends, networking and social psychology, workplace communication, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in recruiting and hiring.
• Cornell alumni panels and industry speakers discussing career paths, professional experiences, and lessons learned across a variety of fields.
• Career-development assignments that help students create and refine professional materials, including:
  • Resume development and review
  • LinkedIn profile creation or enhancement
  • Networking preparation and outreach practice
  • Industry and career pathway research
  • Development of a tangible work sample relevant to a student's interests, such as a writing portfolio piece or other application-ready project

Students will also join a cohort of peers from across the College of Arts & Sciences who are committed to exploring professional possibilities and preparing for future success.

A signature component of Career BRIDGE is a required spring break career trek to New York City.

During the trek, students will engage directly with employers, alumni, and industry professionals connected to their selected area of interest. Each career track will visit multiple organizations, where students may:

• Tour workplace environments
• Meet Cornell alumni and professionals in the field
• Learn about career pathways and industry trends
• Participate in networking opportunities
• Attend hands-on workshops or master classes focused on relevant professional skills

These immersive experiences help students connect classroom learning to real-world workplaces while gaining a clearer understanding of potential career paths. Costs including hotel, meals, and travel from Ithaca to NYC and back will be covered. 

Career BRIDGE is open to Cornell College of Arts & Sciences first-year and sophomore students.

Interested students will submit an application indicating their preferred area of interest. Space in the inaugural cohort is limited, and we anticipate enrolling approximately 100 students.

Students selected to join the course will be enrolled in the class for the Spring semester. 

Who Should Apply?

Career BRIDGE is ideal for students who:

• Are curious about potential career paths
• Want to learn more about a specific industry
• Are unsure about their future plans and want structured guidance
• Hope to build professional skills and confidence
• Want to connect with alumni and employers
• Are interested in preparing early for internships and other opportunities

No prior internship, networking, or professional experience is required.

Spring 2027 AS 2010 dates are subject to change.

• October 2026: Application opens
• November 17, 2026: Applications close at 11:59pm eastern
• January 29, 2027: Course begins
• March 28 - 31 2027: New York City career trek (during spring break)
• May 7, 2027: Course concludes