Nineteen Bryant students traveled to Washington, D.C., to explore career opportunities and network with Bryant alumni.
Open to all Bryant students, the two-day EXPLORE Washington D.C. trip, organized by Bryant’s award-winning Amica Center for Career Education, was specially designed for majors in the College of Arts and Sciences to learn how they can put what they’ve learned at Bryant to work. It was developed in consultation with a number of Bryant’s academic departments and with input from alumni in the D.C. area.
"The EXPLORE Washington D.C. trip offers Bryant's College of Arts and Sciences students an excellent opportunity to learn about the wide range of career options open to them,” says Kevin Gaw, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Amica Center. “The trip will help them make invaluable connections with experienced professionals, and aid them in discovering how to use their Bryant education to build a career that feeds their passions and makes a difference.”
Trips like EXPLORE Washington DC help Bryant students discover career opportunities
Students met with representatives from government, nonprofits, and consulting firms. The list included the Smithsonian, the U.S. Department of State, Discovery Communications, the Peace Corps, and AmeriCorps/VISTA.
EXPLORE Washington D.C. is one of a number of programs such as the popular Walk Down Wall Street and New York Fashion and Business Trip that offer unique opportunities for Bryant students to take part in a learning experience tailored to help them discover rewarding careers in fields that inspire them.
Learning how Washington works
“Hearing about the various internship and career opportunities that Washington, D.C., has to offer is important for our students,” says Associate Professor of Political Science Rich Holtzman, Ph.D. “But truly, it simply can’t compare to students actually being there, speaking with alumni and leaders in the public sector, and seeing for themselves the diversity of exciting opportunities that are available.”
“I’ve always wanted to relocate to D.C.,” says Jacqueline Mills ’19. “After seeing how many opportunities there are for Human Resource Management majors I feel even more confident in that decision.”
At the State Department, students met with representatives from civil services and the Foreign Service to discuss careers and internship opportunities, as well as how to apply for government jobs. A visit to the Capitol included meetings with R.I. Sen. Jack Reed and R.I. Congressman Jim Langevin.
An information session with The Washington Center highlighted internship placement, professional skills seminars, and coursework. Through Bryant’s partnership with The Washington Center, students have worked in the White House, the Senate, the National Opera House, D.C. law offices, and lobbying consultant firms. A similar session was held at the Woodrow Wilson Center, a nonpartisan policy forum devoted to tackling global issues.
Networking and mentoring
The students also attended an Alumni Networking Night, held at The Washington Center, with more than 20 Bryant alumni representing fields ranging from mass media to biotechnology.
“The Bryant network is an invaluable tool for students, and our alumni are always willing to share their advice and experience,” says Robin Warde P'17, Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement. “The Washington trip exposed students to the career success that their education and Bryant connections will make possible and helped them find their own.”
“My favorite part of the D.C. trip was meeting with the alumni,” says Mills. “Even after all the time they have been away from Bryant, they still care deeply about the University and the lives of its current students.”
