First Leap

Explore your career interests. Build confidence. Take your first step toward what’s next.

First Leap is a free, four-day career exploration program designed specifically for Elmhurst University students finishing their first year. Held at the conclusion of the spring semester, First Leap gives students the time, space, and support to explore possible career paths or refine interests they already have before moving into their second year.

Taking place May 26-29 2026, First Leap combines guided self-exploration, skill-building, and real-world exposure. Whether you feel undecided about your future or believe you know the direction you want to go, this program helps you gain clarity by connecting hands-on classroom activities with real conversations and experiences in the professional world.

Why Join First Leap?

• A free, immersive opportunity to explore careers in a low-pressure environment without needing to commit to one job path.
• Designed exclusively for first-year students, with a small cohort of 25-30 participants for individualized support.
• Perfect for both undecided students and those refining an interest. You do not need to have it all figured out.
• Real-world insight through job shadowing and/or informational interviews with two different professionals in fields of interest using a personalized matching process facilitated by the WCCPE.
• Time and space for reflection, helping you make sense of what you’re learning about yourself and potential careers.
• Practical career readiness skills, including networking, professional communication, and self-marketing.
• Early confidence and clarity heading into your second year before internships, majors, and big decisions feel urgent.

First Leap helped me broaden my viewpoint of what I can do with my major and what field I want to look into once I graduate.

Avaion Viverette, class of '27, Psychology & Sociology major

Program Schedule & Time Commitment

First Leap runs for four days and blends interactive learning with hands-on professional exposure:

• Day 1: Classroom Experience
  Interactive exercises and guest speakers focused on values, interests, and career exploration. Students learn about professional expectations, workplace etiquette, and how to prepare for conversations with professionals.
• Days 2 & 3: Field Experience
  Students meet with professionals in their fields of interest through job shadowing and/or informational interviews. These professionals are from the WCCPE’s extensive network and are carefully matched to each individual participant. Many students explore more than one organization, especially in broader fields such as business, marketing, or nonprofits.
• Day 4: Reflection & Looking Ahead
  Students return to the classroom to share experiences, reflect on what they learned, and identify next steps. WCCPE staff and faculty introduce career preparation strategies that are especially helpful during their second year.

If you are an on-campus resident, it is possible to continue your student housing through the duration of the program.

First Leap gave me the perspective that it’s OK to not know what I want to be. I always recommend First Leap to first years who are not really sure what they want to do. It led me to pursue the career I want and be the leader I am today.

Nataly Alvarez, class of '27, marketing major

Application & Selection Process

Recruitment for First Leap begins in February 2026.

Interested students must schedule an initial meeting, which serves as both an information session and an interview. This process ensures students understand the commitment and that the program is a good fit. This “First Leap Info Session 1” can be scheduled through Handshake under the “First Leap Program” appointment category.

Due to the experiential nature of the program, only 25-30 students are accepted, so act fast!

Interested in First Leap?
For questions or to schedule your first meeting, please contact:

Laina Krisik
Senior Advisor, Career Education
Weigand Career Center for Professional Excellence
[email protected]
(630) 617-3186
A.C. Buehler Library, Lower Level