UChicago 2026 Summer Break Treks - August/September 2026
2026 Summer Break Career Treks - Career Advancement at UChicago
Deadline to Apply: Wednesday, May 20 at 5:00 p.m. CT
Who Can Apply: Currently enrolled undergraduate students
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
- Treks will take place during the months of August and September. The exact dates will depend on the destination, but will include 1.5-3 days of programming.
- During a trek, you'll visit a variety of employers in the specified industry and have the opportunity to:
- Learn more about each company and how they operate in the market
- Meet and network with professionals and alumni working in this field
- Hear from recruiting teams about relevant internship/job opportunities
- The specific employer visit itinerary will be shared out a few weeks before the trek during orientation.
PROGRAM COSTS
- Each trek will have a program fee that depends on the destination and length of the program ($150-$450). This fee covers hotel accommodations and ground transportation during the trek.
- Additional costs covered by students include: airfare to and from the trek destination, transportation to/from the airport and the hotel, and lunches/dinners.
- Career Advancement will book your hotel and organize ground transportation for all site visits and any other group events.
- Financial assistance is available for eligible students, including Odyssey Scholars and those receiving University aid. You’ll indicate your interest in applying for assistance in the application form.
2026 SUMMER TREK DESTINATIONS
INTERNATIONAL OPTIONS
Beijing, China - Physical Sciences (Program Fee: $450)
- Program: 8/31 – 9/2 | Check-In: 8/30 | Check-Out: 9/3
- Example visits: Taikang Insurance, Xioami, Hyperstorng, Horizon, Plug and Play, Institute of Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing National Institute for Molecular Sciences, National Institute for Biological Science, XtalPi
Hong Kong - Finance (Program Fee: $450)
- Program: 8/31 – 9/2 | Check-In: 8/30 | Check-Out: 9/3
- Example visits: HSBC, Blackstone, Morgan Stanley, Citi, Warburg Pincus
Hong Kong - Business (Program Fee: $300)
- Program: 9/3 – 9/4 | Check-In: 9/2 | Check-Out: 9/5
- Example visits:
London, UK - Business (Program Fee: $300)
- Program: 9/10 - 9/11 | Check-In: 9/9 | Check-Out: 9/12
- Example visits: Tristan Capital Partners, Boston Consulting Group, Brevan Howard
Jakarta, Indonesia - Global Health (Program Fee: $450)
- Program: 9/14 - 9/16 | Check-In: 9/13 | Check-Out: 9/17
- This trek is sponsored in conjunction with the Kiphart Center.
Passport Requirements for International Treks:
- A valid passport is required with at least six months’ validity beyond the hotel check-out date, and at least one blank page.
- If you do not have a passport or have an expired/expiring passport, we strongly recommend starting to gather your documentation to submit upon acceptance.
- You must show proof of a valid passport or an active renewal/application when confirming your spot on the trek.
DOMESTIC OPTIONS
2 or 2.5 Day Domestic Trips (Program Fee: $300)
-
Austin, TX - Business, Energy, and Innovation
- Program: 9/14 - 9/16 | Check In: 9/13 | Check Out: 9/16
- Book flights that depart starting at 3pm on 3/18 so you have enough time to get to the airport after the program ends
- Example visits:
- Program: 9/14 - 9/16 | Check In: 9/13 | Check Out: 9/16
-
New York, NY - Corporate
- Program: 8/24 - 8/25 back at the hotel by 5:00 p.m. | Check-In : 8/23 | Check-Out: 8/25
- Book flights that depart starting at 7:00 p.m. on 8/25 so you have enough time to get to the airport after the program ends
- Example visits:
- Program: 8/24 - 8/25 back at the hotel by 5:00 p.m. | Check-In : 8/23 | Check-Out: 8/25
-
New York, NY - Veteran Scholars Program
- Program: 9/14 - 9/17 back at the hotel by Noon | Check-In : 9/14 | Check-Out: 9/17
- Book flights that arrive by Noon on 9/14 so you have enough time to get to the hotel before the program begins
- Book flights that depart starting at 3:00 p.m. on 9/17 so you have enough time to get to the airport after the program ends
- Example visits: Google, Amazon, McKinsey, HSBC, Morgan Stanley
- Program: 9/14 - 9/17 back at the hotel by Noon | Check-In : 9/14 | Check-Out: 9/17
-
New York, NY - Wall Street
- Program: 9/15 - 9/16 back at the hotel by 5:00 p.m. | Check-In : 9/14 | Check-Out: 9/16
- Book flights that depart starting at 7:00 p.m. on 9/16 so you have enough time to get to the airport after the program ends
- Example visits: Goldman Sachs, Point72, Mizuho Bank, Jefferies, Hudson Bay Capital
- Program: 9/15 - 9/16 back at the hotel by 5:00 p.m. | Check-In : 9/14 | Check-Out: 9/16
-
New York, NY - Real Estate
- Program: 9/15 - 9/16 back at the hotel by 5:00 p.m. | Check-In : 9/14 | Check-Out: 9/16
- Book flights that depart starting at 7:00 p.m. on 9/16 so you have enough time to get to the airport after the program ends
- Example visits: CBRE, Colliers, Madison International Realty, Blackstone
- Program: 9/15 - 9/16 back at the hotel by 5:00 p.m. | Check-In : 9/14 | Check-Out: 9/16
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Please submit your application via the external link in this posting by Wednesday, May 20 at 5:00 pm CT. Late applications will not be considered.
Please review these instructions carefully when applying for treks:
- Rank up to 5 trek preferences—only choose treks you are truly interested in and fully available to attend if offered a spot.
- If accepted into a trek, no changes or switches to other treks or groups are allowed.
APPLICATION MATERIALS
1. (REQUIRED) One-Page Resume
Need help creating a strong resume that puts your best foot forward? Check out these resources!
- Download the UChicago Resume Template to get started.
- Review the Writing Resumes: A Guide for Undergraduates.
- Schedule a meeting with a career advisor through the Career Center tab on Handshake.
2. (REQUIRED) 2 Short Answer Questions (150-250 words)
- Do you have any relevant background or experience in the industry you're looking to explore? If you don't yet, what about this industry interests you?
- What do you hope to get out this experience?
3. (OPTIONAL) Apply for Financial Assistance
Indicate if you’d like to apply by selecting “yes” in the Financial Assistance section.
- Students receiving aid from the University and Odyssey Scholars still need to apply.
- You must reapply for each trek cycle, even if you’ve applied before.
- More information can be found on our website.
Questions? Please contact Max Follmer (he/him/his) at CATreks@uchicago.edu.