UM’s Business School’s Most Recent Career Trek to Houston, Texas

Twenty-seven students were accompanied by UM Business School career staff and development officers on their trip to Houston where they connected with potential employers and alumni February 19-21.

On the first night of the trip, a representative from the Greater Houston Partnership spoke at dinner at Pappasito’s Cantina. The students visited numerous companies throughout the weekend: 49 Financial, Bank of America, ExxonMobil, RSM, LLP., and Umbrage. 

The School of Business’ Career Trek program began in 2020 and was created to help students have real-life experiences and professional opportunities. Each year, groups have traveled to different cities, including Dallas, Nashville, Atlanta and Birmingham.

“The Career Trek program offers our students exclusive exposure to companies they could not access anywhere else,” said Wesley Dickens, Director of Career Services. “This first-hand experience gives them a competitive edge in the application process while helping them better understand company culture, career paths, and employer expectations.”

Not only did the students learn about specific companies, but they also learned valuable skills they can apply to their everyday lives

“After the Houston career trek, I feel eager and ready to intentionally build a career,” said Haley Weissbard, a junior triple majoring in finance, RMI and IMC from Long Island, New York. “Being able to step outside the classroom and see professionals in real-world settings made everything I’m studying feel much more tangible.

“My biggest takeaway from the trip was how important it is to just be yourself and focus on building real, meaningful connections,” said Weissbard. “The people who made the strongest impressions were the ones who were genuine and comfortable in who they are. The trip reiterated to me that while hard work and preparation matter, who you are and how you treat people matters just as much.”

As the Career Trek program continues to grow, the School of Business stays committed to giving students real-world experiences that connect what they learn in the classroom to their future careers.

“I 100% recommend students go on future career treks,” said Martin Lyaudet, a sophomore business marketing major from Santiago, Chile. “The experience gives you exposure that you simply cannot get in a classroom. You get to see companies up close, ask real questions, and imagine yourself in those spaces.”