Choose Your Own (Ad)Venture 2

(text-colour:#008382)[''FIRST YEAR''] Welcome to your freshman year of college! Like many, by the time you step into your first fall semester class, you may already be tired of the questions "What are you going to major in?" or "What will you do with //that// major?". Don't they know that you are just starting college?! Exploration is part of the process, and you are not expected to have all the answers. Not that these questions haven't been on your mind, along with the bigger ones. //"What am I going to do with my life?" "What are my priorities?" "What am I good at?" "What will I contribute to society?" // And more immediately... "//What am I going to do with the summer after my freshman year?//" How will you seek to answer these questions? [[Seek academic advising and career coaching]] [[Figure this out on your own]] (Set: $Advising to 0) (Set: $Experience to 0)

(Set: $Advising to 1) You decide that you could really use someone to talk to about these questions. First, you make an appointment with your academic advisor. They help you map out an academic plan that will help you explore and learn more about the disciplines you are most interested in. Your advisor tells you about their own career journey and refers you to some other faculty members to talk to. Then, they recommend you make an appointment with staff in Career and Personal Development. <img src= "images/Gilbert.jpg" width=400 height=266.6667> [[Make and appointment with Career and Personal Development -> CPD]]

You decide that there's //plenty //of time to figure out the rest of your life - there's no hurry to get started now. And who knows you better than yourself?! You're confident that you can figure this out on your own. <img src="images/Studying.jpg" width=400 height=266.76> In the meantime, there's lots of fun to be had getting involved with campus life. [[Get involved on campus -> Campus Engagement]]

You engage strategically in athletics and campus activities that allow you to use your strengths and explore your personal and professional interests. You are busy, but being intentional about what you engage in helps you focus your energy on things that matter most to you. Keeping busy with classes and campus life makes the semester fly by. It's time to make a decision about how to spend the summer! <img src="images/Campusinvolvement.jpg" width=401.625 height=267.75> How will you spend the summer after freshman year? [[Relax! -> Relax]] [[Work at a summer job -> HS job 1]] [[Apply for an on-campus research program -> Research 1]] [[Apply for a service or study abroad program -> Service/SA 1]]

You decide to get involved in lots of campus activities and use that as an opportunity to explore what you like and don't like. Keeping busy with classes and campus life makes the semester fly by. It's time to make a decision about how to spend the summer! <img src="images/Campusinvolvement.jpg" width=401.625 height=267.75> How will you spend the summer after freshman year? [[Relax! -> Relax]] [[Work at a summer job -> HS job 1]] [[Apply for an on-campus research program -> Research 1]] [[Apply for a service or study abroad program -> Service/SA 1]]

What a blast! You spend the summer at the beach and poolside. This is the life! <img src="images/LauraKellyPeru.jpg" width=400 height=533.332> [[Time to head back to school! -> Sophomore]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 1) This summer job may not be exciting, but at least you get to hang out with old friends and earn some money. <img src="images/ABFoodService.jpg" width=400 height=380.8> [[Time to head back to school! -> Sophomore]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) After talking with one of your professors about your interest in their research, they agreed to take you on as a research assistant as part of their summer research program. You've learned so much this summer and it taught you a lot about the nature of research in this field. There are so many parts of the experience that were not what you expected at all! At the end of the summer, your supervising faculty member agrees to write you a letter of recommendation. <img src="images/Campuslab.jpg" width=400 height=266.6667> [[Time to head back to school! -> Sophomore]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) You are accepted into a service learning program in a part of the country you have never been to before. This summer will be a chance to explore new horizons and dedicate yourself to helping others! You are surprised by how much you have gained by serving others. By focusing outside yourself, you learned more about yourself than you ever would have thought possible! You've enjoyed this service experience so much that you are looking forward to joining the (link-repeat: "Alternative Breaks")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/experiential-learning/leadership-programs/alternative-breaks.php")] program during the breaks the coming year. They alway plan interesting service trips and you can't wait to get involved! <img src="images/AltBreak.jpg" width=400 height=300> [[Time to head back to school! -> Sophomore]]

(text-colour:#008382)[''SOPHOMORE YEAR''] It's sophomore year. It's hard to believe you are more than one quarter of the way through your degree program already! By now you've hopefully participated in athletics and/or found a club or activity (maybe more than one) that interests you. This year, you begin to engage more deeply in a select few co-curricular activities and maybe even start to think about preparing for leadership opportunities in the areas where you are most involved. At the fall semester //Venture Day//, you learn about the (link-repeat: "Alma Venture")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/venture")] program, hear from juniors and seniors about what they have done with their Venture grants, and create an Experiential Learning Action Plan for your remaining time at Alma. <img src="images/VentureDay2020.png" width=400 height=400> By the end of the year, you are ready to declare your major. Which of these areas do you choose to study? (Note - not all Alma College majors fit neatly into these categories. You can find a full list of majors (link-repeat: "here")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/")]) [[Business]] [[Creative/Performing Arts]] [[Government, Law, Policy, International and Humanitarian Affairs -> Gov/Law etc]] [[Education]] [[Health Professions]] [[Humanities]] [[STEM]]

(Set: $Major to "BUS") It's such a relief to have decided on your academic focus! Now you can use that focus to help refine your campus engagements inside and outside the classroom. You apply for a leadership position with the Alma College chapter of the Business Professionals of America. <img src="images/DMC.jpg" width=400.032 height=211.574> Before you know it, it's time to start thinking about how you will spend the summer! How will you spend the summer after sophomore year? [[Relax! -> Relax 2]] [[Work at a summer job -> HS job 2]] [[Apply for a service or study abroad program -> Service/SA 2 BUS]] [[Apply for an internship -> Intern 2 BUS]]

(Set: $Major to "CREATE") It's such a relief to have decided on your academic focus! Now you can use that focus to help refine your campus engagements both inside and outside the classroom. You apply for a leadership position in one or more clubs or organizations. <img src="images/DMC.jpg" width=400.032 height=211.574> Before you know it, it's time to start thinking about how you will spend the summer. How will you spend the summer after sophomore year? [[Relax! -> Relax 2]] [[Work at a summer job -> HS job 2]] [[Apply for a service or study abroad program -> Service/SA 2 Create]] [[Apply for an internship -> Intern 2 Create]]

(Set: $Major to "GOV") It's such a relief to have decided on your academic focus! Now you can use that focus to help refine your campus engagements inside and outside the classroom. You apply for a leadership position in one or more clubs or organizations. <img src="images/DMC.jpg" width=400.032 height=211.574> Before you know it, it's time to start thinking about how you will spend the summer after sophomore year! [[Relax! -> Relax 2]] [[Work at a summer job -> HS job 2]] [[Apply for a service or study abroad program -> Service/SA 2 Gov/Law]] [[Apply for an internship -> Intern 2 Gov/Law]]

(Set: $Major to "EDU") It's such a relief to have decided on your academic focus! Now you can use that focus to help refine your campus engagements outside the classroom. You apply for a leadership position in the Education Club. Before you know it, it's time to start thinking about how you will spend the summer! <img src="images/DMC.jpg" width=400.032 height=211.574> How will you spend the summer after sophomore year? [[Relax! -> Relax 2]] [[Work at a summer job -> HS job 2]] [[Apply for a service or study abroad program -> Service/SA 2 EDC]] [[Apply to work with youth - e.g. in a camp or other educational program -> EDC intern]]

(Set: $Major to "HEALTH") It's such a relief to have decided on your academic focus! Now you can use that focus to help refine your campus engagements inside and outside the classroom. You connect with the Health Professions Committee and apply for a leadership position in one or more clubs or organizations. <img src="images/DMC.jpg" width=400.032 height=211.574> Before you know it, it's time to start thinking about how you will spend the summer! How will you spend the summer after sophomore year? [[Relax! -> Relax 2]] [[Work at a summer job -> HS job 2]] [[Apply for a clinical position in the health field -> Pre-health experience]] [[Apply for a Posey Global fellowship through the Alma Venture program to fund an international service experience -> Health PG]] [[Apply for a competitive summer research program -> Health Research]]

(Set: $Major to "STEM") It's such a relief to have decided on your academic focus! Now you can use that focus to help refine your campus engagements inside and outside the classroom. You apply for a leadership position in one or more clubs or organizations. <img src="images/DMC.jpg" width=400.032 height=211.574> Before you know it, it's time to start thinking about how you will spend the summer! How will you spend the summer after sophomore year? [[Relax! -> Relax 2]] [[Work at a summer job -> HS job 2]] [[Apply for a research program -> Research 2 STEM]] [[Apply for a service or study abroad program -> Service/SA 2 STEM]] [[Apply for an internship -> Internship 2 STEM]]

What a blast! You spend the summer at the beach and poolside. This is the life! <img src="images/WarrenElmer.jpg" width=399.855 height=538.1237> [[Time to head back to school! -> Junior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 1) You are back working at the summer job you had in high school. This year you take on some additional responsibilities and find ways to learn and grow on the job. You help train some of the newer staff. <img src="images/FoodPantry.jpg" width=400 height=300.8> [[Time to head back to school! -> Junior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) The hard work that you put into your internship search has paid off. You are glad that you got your resume reviewed and participated in a mock interview with the (link-repeat: "Career Peers")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/support/center-for-student-opportunity/career-services/peer-consultants/")]. Your interview went great and you are hired as a counselor at an educational day camp program near your home town. You really enjoy getting to help design and execute the lesson plans as well as spending time with the kids. This experience affirms for you that you feel a sense of calling to work with children in your career. <img src="images/GirlsUnderTree.jpg" width=400 height=272.916> --- After a similar work experience, Educational Studies major Margaret Atwater ’17 reflected that,"//My experience working at a YMCA summer camp has shown me that working with children is what I want to do with my life. I want to help further children's knowledge and show them that every child can learn.//" [[Time to head back to school! -> Junior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) You spend the summer studying and training for your CNA certification and then working as a CNA at the the MidMichigan Hospital Gratiot. <img src="images/McKennaNursing.jpg" width=400 height=600> Hear from Ellen Laurenz about her international shadowing experiences in health and education: <iframe width="397.6434" height="223.7367" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i6lcrYC5TS8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> [[Time to head back to school! -> Junior]]

(text-colour:#008382) [''JUNIOR YEAR''] {(if: $Advising is 1) [It's junior year and the coursework is intense, but you're excited to be getting into the specialist courses in your major. You've been elected to a leadership position as president of a pre-professional student organization in your discipline. <img src="images/Hangingout.jpg" width=400 height=266.66667> ] (else:) [After reflecting on your summer experience, you have decided to change your major. Your academic advisor helps you map out an academic plan, but you will need to take an overload each remaining semester to graduate on time, so will need to cut back on your extracurricular involvement. You wish that you had engaged in more focused conversation with your advisor and faculty mentors and Career and Personal Development staff earlier - it would have saved you a lot of time and headaches now! <img src="images/Hangingout.jpg" width=400 height=266.66667> ]} Time to think about applying for your [[Alma Junior Year Experience]].

You are ready to apply for your (link-repeat: "Alma Venture")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/venture")] ! How can the Alma Venture Junior Year Experience grant help you do something incredible that you may not otherwise do? --- <img src="images/AlmaVenture.png" width=400 height=52> Remember: Alma Venture awards fall into two categories: 1. Every Alma student should plan to have a ''Junior Year Applied Experience''. This experience should be a minimum of 150 hours and allow you to put your academic preparation into practice, gaining a new perspective on your liberal arts education and preparing for life after Alma. This could be an internship, clinical experience, research, or study abroad experience. The maximum grant is $2,500 and most recipients are awarded this amount. Recipients of full-tuition benefits (including tuition exchange, ACE and the Detroit Promise) may apply for a Junior Year Experience grant up to a maximum of $1,000. 2. Any student may also apply for support for a variety of other meaningful experiences through the ''Serve Generously, Lead Purposefully, and Live Responsibly ''Venture awards. Applications will be accepted from your first year and there is no limit to the number of awards an individual may be awarded. These awards can help you explore vocation or, in the words of Frederick Buechner, “//where your deep gladness meets the worlds great hunger//.” Eligible experiences may include things like volunteering for a nonprofit organization, presenting your research at a conference, or an internship that helps you discern the next steps on your life’s journey. --- ''What type of Venture experience will you apply for?'' * [[Internship -> Intern 3]] (apply toward room and board, or a stipend for an unpaid internship with a non-profit entity) * [[Research program -> Research 3]] (apply toward cost of travel/room/board) * [[Service program -> Service 3]] (apply to travel/fees/room and board) * [[Spring Term]] (apply toward the course fee for a travel course) * [[Study abroad -> Study Abroad 3]] (apply toward travel and program costs) * {(if: $Major is "HEALTH") [ [[Clinical experience]] (apply to program fee or room/board costs)] *(else-if: $Major is "CREATE") [ [[Creative project-> Create 3]](apply to special material costs)] *(else-if: $Major is "EDU") [ [[Student teaching]] (apply toward off-campus room and board)] } * [[Do not apply for a Venture grant… ->No Venture]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) You participate in a summer research program focused on the study and restoration of the Great Lakes. You enjoy the opportunity to work - and network - with a group of scientists from a variety of academic disciplines and institutions who are all collaborating on this multi-disciplinary research program. While your technical lab skills do improve, you find, to your surprise, that skills such as communication and problem solving are also vital to the success of your project. <img src="images/WallaceMontoye.jpg" width=400 height=267.2> The team invites you to present with them at a conference in the fall. You apply for (link-repeat: "Lead Purposefully")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/support/center-for-student-opportunity/venture-program/venture-program-policies/")] grant from the Alma Venture program to help cover the travel costs. [[Time to head back to school! -> Junior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) The hard work that you put into your internship search has paid off. You are glad that you got your resume reviewed and practiced at a mock interview with the (link-repeat: "Career Peers")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/support/center-for-student-opportunity/career-services/peer-consultants/")]. An Alma alumnus with Triterra interviews you for a paid environmental remediation internship working throughout Michigan. Your interview goes great and you spend the summer in the field evaluating environmental risk at commercial and industrial sites throughout the state. You gain valuable experience in the private sector learning hands-on activities involving site walks, soil, soil gas and ground sampling methods using current technology. You feel great about the work you are doing, the skills you are building, and the professional network you are developing thanks to the mentorship of your supervisor. <img src="images/YellowVest.jpg" width=400 height=432> [[Time to head back to school! -> Junior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) Since you are interested in teaching Spanish one day, you decide to apply to the Off-Campus Study program at the Academia Latinoamericana in Peru. You spend the summer taking intensive Spanish classes in the mornings and volunteering in the afternoons at an after-school program for disadvantaged youth. Secondary Education major Laura Kelly’17 also studied Spanish at the Academia Latinoamericana: “//In my career as a Spanish teacher, the experiences I had during my study abroad at the Academia Latinoamericana in Peru will be invaluable. I had first-hand experiences in a Spanish-speaking country, had a language immersion program to help me provide a more authentic Spanish class, and lived with a Peruvian family to better understand the culture.//” Hear from Ellen Laurenz about her international shadowing experiences in health and education. Her volunteer experience at St. Lucy's School helped her decide to pursue a major in Education: <iframe width="400" height="225.0627" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i6lcrYC5TS8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> [[Time to head back to school! -> Junior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) The hard work that you put into your internship search has paid off. You are glad that you got your resume reviewed and participated in a mock interview with the (link-repeat: "Career Peers")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/support/center-for-student-opportunity/career-services/peer-consultants/")]. Through your work with your POL141 class, you secure a summer internship with the City of Alma, where you work with city leaders and administrators to support the development of the Alma Aspires strategic plan. <img src="images/CityOfAlma.png" width=400 height=187.452> To learn more about Justin Judge's internship with the City of Alma, (link-repeat: "click here")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/live/news/2325-justin-judge-community-engagement")] [[Time to head back to school! -> Junior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) You worked with a faculty mentor to apply for a (link-repeat: "Posey Global")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/experiential-learning/leadership-programs/global-leadership.php")] fellowship through the Alma Venture program. Posey Global provides full funding for you to travel to complete an international service project. You are working with a non-profit organization working to address hunger and homelessness. While at the project site, you begin chatting with an Alma alum, Jim Allen, who tells you about his own Posey Global experiences: A Political Science and Foreign Service major, Jim worked with malnourished homeless children in the Philippines, often providing them with food and water. During a second Posey Global fellowship, he interned with Food for the Hungry in Rwanda, where he assessed efforts to prevent erosion, increase market access for coffee farmers and provide “Feed to Seed” so farmers could eat and plant next season’s crop. He had this to say about his experience: “//Posey Global exposed me to those suffering from hunger and malnutrition and introduced me to the complex challenges of doing something about it. The problem is more complicated than finding food, and involves politics, economics, agriculture, international trade, public health, climate change, community development, ecology and myriad other topics.//” Play the video below to learn more about the (link: "Posey Global")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/experiential-learning/leadership-programs/global-leadership.php")]program: <iframe width="406.25" height="150" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j8J-kM9imoU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> [[Time to head back to school! -> Junior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) You enroll in a study abroad program through Alma College (link-repeat: "Off-Campus Study")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/travel")] that will allow you to grow personally, and professionally and expand your horizons while also earning Alma College credit. You had to begin planning about a year in advance, but it was worth it! <img src="images/JacobChittenden.png" width=400 height=400> Here is what one of your fellow study abroad students had to say about his experience: "//I studied Spanish Language and Culture in Segovia, Spain. I greatly improved my Spanish and I learned so many other skills that I wouldn’t have learned in school or even in the U.S. I discovered how to live in another country,that culture shock is real, and how to travel. Now that I’ve had this experience, I want to have a career that involves Spanish and traveling.//" - International Business Administration major Jake Chittenden '17 [[Time to head back to school! -> Junior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) The hard work that you put into your internship search has paid off. You are glad that you got your resume reviewed and participated in a mock interview with the (link-repeat: "Career Peers")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/support/center-for-student-opportunity/career-services/peer-consultants/")]. Your interview went great and you have been offered a Business Administration internship at Greater Gratiot Development in Ithaca. You can't wait to get to work and hope that your project will have a lasting positive impact on Gratiot county. --- <img src="images/GreaterGratiot.png" width=400.7421 height=273.28> "//Over thirty years, GGDI has provided more than 30 Alma students the chance to learn and develop skills in a professional business environment. GGDI has also benefited significantly from each intern’s unique innovation, talentand expertise. Ultimately, this valuable partnership has been a tremendous benefit to the entire Gratiot community and GGDI. This is a positive trend that will continue in the future.//" -Kasey Zehner ‘13, project coordinator, Greater Gratiot Development, Inc. --- [[Time to head back to school! -> Junior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) You apply to a summer study abroad program at the University of Otago in New Zealand. With a cohort of students from top universities around the world, you take a marine science course that includes fieldwork on the university's research vessel. On the weekends, you enjoy hiking and adventure sports in the mountains surrounding the city of Dunedin. This is definitely not an experience you could get in Alma! <img src="images/JessicaS.png" width=399.95325 height=597.39475> [[Time to head back to school! -> Junior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) You enroll in a study abroad program through Alma College (link-repeat: "Off-Campus Study")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/travel")] that will allow you to grow artistically, personally, and culturally while also earning Alma College credit. You had to begin planning about a year in advance, but it was worth it! Here is what one of your fellow study abroad students had to say about her experience: “//I studied abroad in a music program in Urbania, Italy. I loved having the opportunity to study music under different instructors than I normally do and I feel that I was able to learn a lot about chamber music and musicality. This will be a really good experience for me as I begin preparing for my senior recital. This was an incredibly valuable experience, both in terms of my academic progress and self-exploration and growth//." -Music and Secondary Education major Marisa Romano’19 <img src="images/MarisaRomanoPoster.png" width=400 height=400> [[Time to head back to school! -> Junior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) The hard work that you put into your internship search has paid off. You are glad that you got your resume reviewed and participated in a mock interview with the (link-repeat: "Career Peers")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/support/center-for-student-opportunity/career-services/peer-consultants/")]. Your interview went great and you have been offered an internship at the Keshet Dance Company. You have an amazing internship experience. Here's what one of their former interns has to say about her experience: --- //“Interning at the Keshet Dance Company has been wonderful and has certainly helped me to reaffirm that dance outreach is my intended career.”-//Dance major Sadie Gelb’19 (note - after graduating from Alma College, Sadie went on to become a dance instructor and summer program manager at Keshet Dance & Center for the Arts) <img src="images/SadieGelbKeshet.png" width=400.055 height=712.22> [[Time to head back to school! -> Junior]]

What a blast. Spend the summer at the beach and poolside. This is the life! <img src="images/EmmaTowersBrookeTubbsEcuador.jpg" width=400 height=300> [[Time to head back to school! -> Senior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 1) What seemed fun and relaxing about this job last year is really starting to get old. Maybe it's time to move on and do something different? <img src="images/RamosGrocery.jpg" width=400 height=387.2> [[Time to head back to school! -> Senior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 1) It's (link-repeat: "Spring Term")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/experiential-learning/spring-term.php")]! <iframe width="406.25" height="150" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8NGEGm3DihM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> Now - how will you spend the rest of your summer? [[Relax! -> Relax 3]] [[Work at a summer job -> HS job 3]] [[Apply for an internship -> Intern 3]] [[Apply for a research program -> Research 3]] [[Apply to study abroad -> Study Abroad 3]] [[Apply to a service program -> Service 3]] [[Apply for a clinical experience ->Clinical experience]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) {(if: $Major is "BUS") [Brooks Hyble served on the Markets Integrity Team during his internship with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Group Global Command Center in Chicago, IL. Like Brooks, your summer internship helped you clarify the career path that you want to pursue after you graduate. Sometimes, learning about what you don't want to do can be just as valuable (or even more so) as affirming what you do want to do! Hear from Brooks about his experience here: <iframe width="399.75" height="153.75" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dyn44XVzu8k" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>] (if: $Major is "GOV") [During your internship in Washington D.C., you run into Jessica Isler, who interned for Senator Debbie Stabenow (D) in Washington D.C. during her Junior Year Experience. You hope that your internship will be just as affirming as hers. You know that you have a lot to learn about the many possible career paths that you could choose to pursue after graduation. Hear from Jessica about her experience here: <iframe width="400" height="225.06" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/po1RB77JNUA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>] (if: $Major is "EDU") [You enroll in an internship-based off-campus study program through the Chicago Center. They help you arrange a credit-bearing student teaching intership in Chicago, where you have an experience much different than any of your previous placements in mid-Michigan. In addition to an enriching student teaching placement, you enjoy the independent urban living experience - with the support of the team at the Chicago Center. Hear from Rachel about her Alma Venture experience kicked off her international teaching career: <iframe width="399.75" height="153.75" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J5a8Y2EnHTs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>] (if: $Major is "CREATE") [During your internship at Free Arts Minnesota, you run into Alma alumna Annamarie Williams '17, who also interned there as her Junior Year Experience. She tells you about her internship: "I have learned about grant writing and funding, marketing and branding, volunteer coordinating, maintaining relationships with corporate businesses, and so much more. These are skills that I will take with me through the next step in my career.” <img src="images/AnnamarieWilliams.png" width=400 height=400> --- Sara Sternberger, the Executive Director of Free Arts Minnesota, offered you this advice for your future internship and job search: 1. Make sure you are prepared for a professional work environment 2. Meet your commitments 3. Have a 'can do' attitude] (if: $Major is "HEALTH") [Your internship as a medical research program intern opens your eyes to the profession and the world. Not only is each day an amazing learning opportunity while your internship is in session, you also learn a lot about yourself and the world by living and working independently in a city that is brand new to you. --- During your internship, you run into Ashten Stambersky '18, who tells you about her Alma Venture Junior Year Experience as a medical research student at Indiana University School of Medicine. You can read more (link-repeat: "here")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/live/profiles/7505-ashten-stambersky-18")] or hear from Ashten about her experience: <iframe width="400" height="225.09" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qHcaNJhk7gE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>] (if: $Major is "STEM") [You are offered a summer internship at the Bird Center of Washtenaw County. You have always loved animals and had been looking for an internship working with either wildlife or environmental preservation, so you expect this to be a great learning experience for you. --- During your internship, you run into Kyle Kansman '17, who tells you about his Alma Venture Junior Year Experience at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, FL, where he was an animal rehabilitation intern working with sea turtules. You can read about his experience (link-repeat: "here")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/live/profiles/6201-kyle-kansman-17")] or hear from Kyle about his experience: <iframe width="399.75" height="153.75" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X26hUGN3JR0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>] (if: $Major is "HUM") [You enroll in an internship-based (link-repeat: "Off-Campus Study")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/travel")] program with the Washington Media Institute. The WMI helps you arrange a credit-bearing intership in Washington D.C., along with hands-on, credit-bearing seminar courses. --- New Media Studies major Ellen Anderson '21 had this to say about her semester at the Washington Media Institute: "//My favorite experience was going to the Pentagon and meeting with the communications director of the Middle East in the Pentagon Press Room. I learned a lot from her and the experience was really cool. Studying and interning off-campus has made me more independent and I have grown in my passion for media studies and real-world experience. It was my favorite semester of college.//" <img src="images/WMI.png" width=356 height=163> ] } [[Time to head back to school! -> Senior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) {(if: $Major is "CREATE") [You enroll in the University of Dundee, Scotland's International Summer Experience. In addition to being a study abroad partner school, the non-credit summer program hosted by the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design at the University of Dundee has welcomed many Alma students over the years. --- <img src="images/LoganRettell.jpg" width=400 height=300> One recent participant was Logan Rettell '20. When you reached out to him before committing to this program, Logan said: "//This experience was very valuable. It covered so much of Scotland with exploration of its art and culture. It brought people together from all over the world for the study of art. It was eye-opening and beautiful. I learned people are a lot more open than I thought. I am typically uncomfortable in new social interactions, but I met so many new friends while I was there. They had knowledge I did not, and while learning about them I also learned more about myself.//" --- You can read more about Logan's experience (link-repeat: "here")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/live/profiles/8063-logan-rettell-20")] or contact (link-repeat: "Off-Campus Study")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/experiential-learning/international-off-campus-study.php")] for more information.] (else:) [Immersion in another language and culture can provide a valuable new perspective, no matter what your major, and many language programs do not require any prior study of the target language. You decide to apply to spend the summer after Junior year at the Academia Latinoamericana in Ecuador. There, you spend your mornings studying Spanish and your afternoons volunteering for a local community organization. Your Alma Venture grant covers the entire cost of a one-month program! --- <img src="images/Somerton.jpg" width=400 height=630> IPHS major Sommerton DeGraffenreid '19 had this to say about her Venture experience at the Academia: "//I believe I have developed skills that will help me in the future as far as interpersonal skills, professionalism, and drive. I will hopefully continue traveling and continue speaking Spanish. I think that the greatest thing I can take away from this experience is that it is okay to be open to new things. I had to be open to being in a place where English is not spoken very well if at all and use my skills I had in the Spanish language and put my new skills that I learned to use. I had to be open to meeting new people. The memories I have with all the people that I met here are all very dear to my heart. Lastly, being open to trusting myself. If you don’t open your mind and your heart for these kinds of opportunities you will never enjoy everything you can about them. Going to another country is scary at first but you get more comfortable. Once you are comfortable the country becomes your home. Once it is home you are able to enjoy everything that it has to offer you.//" --- You can learn more about Sommerton's experience (link-repeat: "here")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/live/profiles/8062-somerton-degraffenreid-19")] Or visit the Alma College (link-repeat: "Off-Campus Study")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/travel")] page to browse approved programs.]} [[Time to head back to school! -> Senior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) {(if: $Major is "HEALTH") [You participate in a Global Health Volunteer Program through the Foundation for the International Medical Relief of Children. You have an amazing experience learning and shadowing professionals in an international clinical setting. Not only do you use your clinical skills, you also develop your intercultural communication skills and learn a lot about medical care and public health in low resource settings. --- <img src="images/ShaynaHoch.jpg" width=400 height=710.4> Alumna Shayna Hoch '19 had this to say about her experience: "//I volunteered at a clinic in Costa Rica run by the Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children. Knowing that I was able to make a difference in a community that truly appreciates everything we do was an incredibly humbling experience. I learned how to see people from a new perspective as well as learn more about myself.//”] (else-if: $Major is "EDU") [You participate as a volunteer in a mentorship program for disadvantaged youth. Not only do you learn a lot about the experiences of the youth in the program, by the time the summer program wraps up, you have also developed a newfound sense of confidence - both in your ability to live independently in a new city and confidence that whatever capacity you end up working in afer graduation, you have a lot to offer and will be able to make a difference in the lives of young people. --- One of the mentors, Julia, is an alumna of Alma College and tells you about her Alma Venture experience as a volunteer at the Our Lady of Armenia Orphanage in Gyumri, Armenia. --- <img src="images/JuliaPalaian.png" width=400 height=400> "//I can honestly say that I returned home from Armenia as an entirely new person. Within just one month, I was able to learn so much on a personal, professional, and global aspect. As a student at Alma College, I was able to pursue a dream of mine since I was just a little girl, and visit the roots of my motherland. To plan an independent study abroad program took much work and determination, but this was something I truly envisioned for myself. Today, I am very proud that I was able to manifest this dream. My efforts paid off, and my journey to Armenia was an experience of a lifetime. At Our Lady of Armenia Orphanage, I was able to serve as both a team member, and a leader in a variety of situations. As a future teacher, these are two positions I will encounter. As a team member, I will be working with faculty and parents to ensure the best education possible for our students, and as a leader, I will be facilitating student learning and development. I look forward to being able to implement these valuable skills into both my professional and personal life.//"] (else-if: $Major is "STEM") [You spend the summer volunteering at the Detroit Zoo. While there, you meet Tyler, and alumnus of Alma College who also volunteered there as his Venture experience years ago and continues to help out with the volunteer program. He tells you about his experience: --- <img src="images/DetroitZoo.png" width=400 height=118.4> "//The two most important things I learned through this experience was to not be afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone and to always want to learn more. Sometimes while talking to a guest about certain animals, they might ask you a question that you don’t know and that is ok. It always intrigued me when I got a question I didn’t know, so I would go home and do some research to try and figure it out in case it got asked again! I would recommend this experience to anyone that wants a future job at a zoo. This volunteer position allowed me to understand more about what happens at a zoo. I got to talk with multiple zookeepers and some of the staff and learn about the zookeepers responsibilities. Also, as a volunteer I got to learn many interesting facts about the animals and see each of their personalities.//"] (else:) [You spend the summer volunteering with the National Park Service. You worked in positions everywhere from Guest Services to trail reconstruction. You've never seen so many beautiful sights, met so many interesting people from around the world, and spent so much of your time contributing to a cause that you are passionate about. It's a summer you will never forget! <img src="images/NPS.jpg" width=400 height=512> ]} [[Time to head back to school! -> Senior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) You submit a proposal to Highland Blush and they agree to sponsor a performance/exhibit (depending on your discipline) of your work at the end of the summer. In addition to your summer job, you dedicate much of your summer to preparing for your show. It's a lot of work, but it's a labor of love. By the time classes resume, you have an addition to your portfolio that you are really proud of. You can't wait to share your creation with Alma's faculty, staff, and students at our big event! <img src="images/Art.jpg" width=400 height=266.66667> [[Time to head back to school! -> Senior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) You talk with senior Katie Schoen, who tells you that she has been accepted into a graduate program in occupational therapy. She helps you connect with local opportunities to shadow occupational therapists, like she did: --- "//Around the Alma/Mt. Pleasant area I have shadowed two occupational therapists at two different places. The first place was at Masonic Pathways. I shadowed an occupational therapist and saw multiple different areas of occupational therapy. Some of things that I saw were training to use a powered wheelchair, working on fine motor skills, evaluations, and the working on activities of daily living skills with patients. I also observed the occupational therapist work with a patient who had lymphedema. From this experience I learned that you are really helping the patient get back to activities of daily living skills like dressing, bathing, etc. in order for them to hopefully go home eventually. If they can’t go home then you are trying for them to have the best quality of life.//" <img src="images/Schoen.jpg" width=400 height=266.4> "//The other place that I have shadowed was in Mt. Pleasant at Central Michigan Hand Therapy. I observed an occupational therapist who specifically has a certification in hand therapy. It was very neat to explore a different side of OT and see that you can get different certifications. While shadowing I saw a lot of people who had hand injuries and the occupational therapist was working with patients on fine motor skills and strengthening their hands such as their handgrip strength. From this experience I learned that a simple activity such as pulling marbles out of putty is actually a lot of work and this simple activity can help the patient regain strength back in their hands.//" --- Interested in an international clinical experience? Hear from Nursing major Alesia Dassance about //her //international clinical experience here: <iframe width="400" height="225.07" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/djdTi0CIhkE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> [[Time to head back to school! -> Senior]]

Too bad to miss out on the opportunity for a funded experience. Now - how will you spend your summer after junior year? [[Relax! -> Relax 3]] [[Work at a summer job -> HS job 3]] [[Apply for an internship -> Intern 3]] [[Apply for a research program -> Research 3]] [[Apply to study abroad -> Study Abroad 3]] [[Apply to a service program -> Service 3]] {(if: $Major is "CREATE") [[[Creative project -> Create 3]]] (if: $Major is "HEALTH") [[[Apply for a clinical experience ->Clinical experience]]]}

(text-colour:#008382) [''SENIOR YEAR''] It's senior year. Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday you were starting the second semester of your freshman year, starting to think about what you wanted to do with the rest of your life, and now it's almost here already! You have registered for the last classes that you need to take to complete your degree. You've met with the Registrar and your academic advisor to make sure you are on track to graduate. <img src="images/Graduation.jpg" width=400 height=266.37> Now you just need to decide what your next step will be after you graduate from Alma College. Which of the following is your goal? [[Employment -> Employment]] [[Graduate school -> Grad School]]

{(if: $Experience < 5) [The job search has been harder than you thought! You wish you had more relevant experience on your resume to help you stand out. --- Reflecting on your college career, there are a few things you wish you had done earlier so that you would be more prepared for the job market after graduation: 0. Talk with your advisor and other faculty and staff more often about preparing for life after graduation. Attend departmental events in areas of interest. 0. Make appointments to meet with (link-repeat: "Career and Personal Development")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/career")] regularly, beginning in first year, to begin to hone your professional development skills and knowledge of the job market. 0. Make the most of co-curricular opportunities such as pre-professional student organizations, hall programs, Diversity Dialogues, and other opportunities to learn and grow outside the classroom. 0. Take advantage of all the funding available through the (link-repeat: "Alma Venture Program")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/venture")] and external scholarships that can help you take advantage of high impact experiences such as internships, research, and study abroad. Luckily, (link-repeat: "Career and Personal Development")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/support/center-for-student-opportunity/career-services/for-alumni/")] continues to offer support to alumni after graduation. You will be reaching out to them as you continue your search for employment after graduation. ] (else-if: $Experience >=5 and $Experience <7) [Job searching takes a lot of work! You are grateful for the support of your professors and the Career and Personal Development team and for the experiences you had in and out of the classroom at Alma that help set you apart from other candidates. --- You know what your strengths are, what kind of position you are looking for, and how to explain how your Alma experience relates to what employers are looking for in that type of position. --- After what seems like an endless number of applications and interviews, you land just the type of position you were looking for. <img src="images/PlaidWorks.png" width=400 height=398.99> ] (else-if: $Experience >6) [Your experiences in college have prepared you well. You are greatful for the support of your professors and the Career and Personal Development team and for the experiences you had in and out of the classroom at Alma that help set you apart from other candidates. --- You know what your strengths are, what kind of position you are looking for, and how to explain how your Alma experience relates to what employers are looking for in that type of position. --- You have a few competing offers for highly competitive jobs that align perfectly for your goals after Alma. <img src="images/PlaidWorks.png" width=400 height=398.99> ]} [[In Conclusion]]

{(if: $Experience < 5) [The graduate school application process is more competitive than you expected! You wish you had more relevant experience to highlight in your application/personal statement. --- Reflecting on your college career, there are a few things you wish you had done earlier so that you would be more confident in your graduate school applications. 0. Talk with your advisor and other faculty and staff more often about preparing for life after graduation. 0. Be proactive in seeking opportunities to conduct reseach, attend or present at academic conferences (including local opportunities such as (link-repeat: "Honors Day")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/student-research/honors-day.php")] and (link-repeat: "Michigan Academy")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/offices/michigan-academy/")]), and maybe even publish your work. 0. Make appointments to meet with (link-repeat: "Career and Personal Development")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/career")] regularly, beginning in first year. 0. Make the most of co-curricular opportunities such as student organizations, hall programs, Diversity Dialogues, and other opportunities to learn and grow outside the classroom. 0. Take advantage of all the funding available through the (link-repeat: "Alma Venture Program")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/venture")] and external scholarships that can help you take advantage of high impact experiences such as internships, research, and study abroad. Luckily, (link-repeat: "Career and Personal Development")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/support/center-for-student-opportunity/career-services/for-alumni/")] continues to offer support to alumni after graduation. You will be reaching out to them to explore gap year options if you need to re-apply for graduate school next year. ] (if: $Experience >=5 and $Experience <7) [Applying to grad school is hard work! You are grateful for the support of your professors and the Career and Personal Development team and for the experiences you had in and out of the classroom at Alma that help set you apart from other candidates. You know what your strengths are, what kind of program is the right fit for you, and how to articulate your goals, preparation, and fit for the program. While it may not have been your top choice, you are admitted to a program that you are confident will help you take your skills and knowledge to the next level and achieve our career goals. <img src="images/PlaidWorks.png" width=289.25 height=288.5>] (if: $Experience >6) [Your experiences in college have prepared you well. You are admitted with full funding to your top choice - a very competitive graduate program in your chosen field. You enroll with confidence, knowing that your Alma experience has prepared you with the knowledge of your self, your strengths, and the disciplinary knowledge to fulfill your goals and make a positive impact on the world. <img src="images/PlaidWorks.png" width=289.25 height=288.5>] } [[In Conclusion]]

In this Choose Your Own (Ad)Venture story, you had the opportunity to read about some real examples of past Alma Venture experiences. Hopefully you got a sense of the //many// opportunities that are available to you during your time at Alma College. At Alma College, we strongly believe that //every// student can have a Venture experience and are committed to working with you to secure an experience that is both personally meaningful and fits your life. To start building your co-curricular four-year-plan and imagining an Alma Venture experience, talk with your academic advisor and other faculty mentors as well as the Career and Personal Development team (make an appointment on Handshake or visit the Center for Student Opportunity). --- To begin the story again and explore different options, click [[here ->Choose Your Own (Ad)Venture]] --- Done? Complete (link: "this short survey")[(open-url: "https://alma.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dmspWCePG9ZiyGO")] to request more information and/or enter your name in a prize drawing.

''(text-colour:#008382) [Welcome to "Choose Your Own (Ad)Venture"!]'' In this Choose Your Own Adventure story, YOU are the protagonist. <img src="images/Scotty.jpg" width=400 height=532.8125> Select from the options at the bottom of each page to decide how you might prepare and participate (or not) in an Alma Venture experience. You are welcome to play through the story as many times as you want to explore different experiences and outcomes. When you are finished, please complete the reflective survey that you will find linked on the final page of the story. There, you will be able to request follow up information and enter your email address to be entered in a prize drawing. //Where will you venture? What types of experiences will you undertake? Where will your Alma experience take you?// Click "Next" to find out! [[Next ->Choose Your Own (Ad)Venture]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) {(if: $Major is "EDU") [It's hard to believe that your Alma education has taken you all the way to Africa! You are boarding a plane and heading off to spend the summer in Rwanda, student teaching at the Kigali International Community School. Alumna Rachel Nemeth '17 has invited you to student teach in her classroom. Reflecting on returning from her own Venture in Rwanda, Rachel says, "As I sat in class, I could imagine how I would use that information in a global setting because I had already lived it for a month! Now I live in Kigali full time and find it so helpful to have been able to go through college with a global mindset because of my Venture experience.” Hear from Rachel about her Alma Venture experience kicked off her international teaching career: <iframe width="399.75" height="153.75" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J5a8Y2EnHTs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>] (else:) [Since you are not an education major, it's difficult to find a student teaching position. However, you do find a position as a camp counselor and that allows you to work with children and continue to explore your interest in working in the field of education.]} [[Time to head back to school! -> Senior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) {(if: $Major is "STEM") [You apply to a competitive project through the National Science Foundation's (link-repeat: "Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program")[(open-url: "https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/")]. You work with an interdisciplinary team of scientists, graduate and undergraduate students. --- The Principal Investigator for your project introduces you to Cameron Spitzfaden’17, who majored in Math and Physics at Alma College. Reflecting on his REU experience, Cameron says, “//I completed an NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at the University of Kentucky Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering. I primarily worked with micro/nanofabrication techniques, as well as optics techniques. In addition, the program helped me develop non-technical skills such as oral and poster presentations, as well as reviewing technical literature. Both of these are important in an academic career, and practicing now will help me work more efficiently in the future.//” <img src="images/CameronS2.png" width=400 height=400> ] (else-if: $Major is "GOV") [You use your Venture grant to cover room and board costs, as well as travel to Washington D.C., where you conduct research for your senior thesis at the Library of Congress and National Archives. --- Consider presenting your research at (link-repeat: "Honors Day")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/student-research/honors-day.php")] or (link-repeat: "Michigan Academy")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/offices/michigan-academy/")]. <img src="images/HonorsDay.jpg" width=400 height=523.2> --- As you were working with your faculty advisor to plan this research project, you learned about Monroe Molesky '20, who conducted archival research about the history of public health in American foreign policy at the Library of Congress and National Archives in Washington, D.C. as //his// Alma Venture experience. Your advisor makes the introduction so that you can network with Monroe and learn about his experience. Monroe tells you: --- <img src="images/MonroeMolesky.jpg" width=400 height=300> "//My venture experience helped me gain a greater understanding of how I wanted to combine my various interests, in a true liberal arts fashion, and make a plan for my further education. I was able to build unique relationships and have a taste of my future in Washington, D.C. The support of the venture program was essential to furthering my education at Alma, putting my education into practice, and enabled me to personally grow and do something impactful//." ] (else-if: $Major is "HEALTH") [When you spoke with your professors about your interest summer research, Dr. Ball introduced you to Alma alumnus Jonathan Groening '19. Jonathan shared with you about his summer research at the Wayne State University Department of Physiology, where, as a student, he conducted research with a focus on vascular physiology. He said: --- "//My background in physiology and chemistry was very helpful and set me up to be able to quickly learn new experimental techniques in lab. I believe this experience gave me the chance to practice a lot of things I already knew from my science classes at Alma College and to apply them in real world situations. It helped me to build some new habits, strengthen some old ones, and rid myself of bad ones. <img src="images/Jonathang.jpg" width=400 height=300> This experience has taught me to pay close attention to small details in every aspect and to see how every detail in an area of interest works together. This newfound respect for observation of details will prove to be invaluable in graduate school and in the healthcare field. My favorite part was working in the lab environment. It gave me a chance to hone my lab skills and to learn a few new ones and a few new lab habits.//" --- After talking with Jonathan, you are eager to apply to the same research program at Wayne State. Thanks to a thoughtful application, previous research experience, and faculty support, you were offered a position as a summer research assistant.] (else-if: $Major is "CREATE") [You apply for a Currie Scholars Grant (through the Alma Venture Program) to do your own research on whatever you find interesting. --- Take a class you loved and want to learn more? The Currie Scholars Grant, which is part of the //Serve Generously/Lead Purposefully/Live Responsibly// grant of the Alma Venture Program, provides you with $2500 to do your own //creation of an original performance or artwork in the fine and performing arts//, field or lab work in the sciences or social sciences, or library or archival work in the humanities or social sciences. It gives you great experience on leading a project of your own with the guidance of a faculty advisor. --- <img src="images/Kat.jpg" width=400 height=533.299> As a Currie Scholar, you are introduced to alum of the program Kathryn Zettel, a dance student who used her Currie Scholars Grant to study Ideokinesis (A form of Somatic Study) and Dance over the summer of 2020. She is presenting her research in the 2021 Somatic Dance Festival in New York. She explains to you that, because you and your advisor design the research, remote research is an option (this turned out to be a great option for her during the coronavirus pandemic). --- Consider presenting your research at (link-repeat: "Honors Day")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/student-research/honors-day.php")] or (link-repeat: "Michigan Academy")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/offices/michigan-academy/")]. <img src="images/HonorsDay.jpg" width=400 height=523.2> ] (else:) [You have been working all semester with your faculty supervisor to plan for your thesis research and now that summer is here you are eager to get started! You have created a thorough research plan and, thanks to the Alma Venture grant, which will cover your travel costs, you can travel to locate the primary sources that you need for some top notch original scholarship. --- As you were working with your faculty supervisor to plan this research project, you learned about Monroe Molesky '20, who conducted archival research about the history of public health in American foreign policy at the Library of Congress and National Archives in Washington, D.C. as his Alma Venture experience. Your advisor makes the introduction and Monroe tells you: --- <img src="images/MonroeMolesky.jpg" width=400 height=300> "//My venture experience helped me gain a greater understanding of how I wanted to combine my various interests, in a true liberal arts fashion, and make a plan for my further education. I was able to build unique relationships and have a taste of my future in Washington, D.C. The support of the venture program was essential to furthering my education at Alma, putting my education into practice, and enabled me to personally grow and do something impactful//." --- Consider presenting your research at (link-repeat: "Honors Day")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/student-research/honors-day.php")] or (link-repeat: "Michigan Academy")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/offices/michigan-academy/")]. <img src="images/HonorsDay.jpg" width=400 height=523.2> ] } [[Time to head back to school! -> Senior]]

Next, you log in to (link-repeat: "Handshake") [(open-url: "https://alma.joinhandshake.com/login")] to make an appointment with a staff member in Career and Personal Development. At your appointment, the career coach shares a variety of major and career exploration tools and introduces some assessments, such as Focus 2 and CliftonStrengths, that can help you learn more about yourself and your interests, values, and strengths. <img src= "images/Cubicle.jpg" width=400 height=266.6667> You take the (link-repeat: "CliftonStrengths assessment") [(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/support/center-for-student-opportunity/clifton-strengths-assessment/")] and make an appointment to talk about your results. Reflecting on these advising conversations, you are ready to be strategic about how you spend your time outside of class and what clubs and organizations you get involved in. [[Get involved on campus ->Intentional Engagement]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) You worked with a faculty mentor to apply for a (link: "Posey Global")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/experiential-learning/leadership-programs/global-leadership.php")] fellowship through the Alma Venture program. Posey Global provides full funding for you to travel to complete an international service project. You are shadowing medical professionals and providing administrative support at the Magbenteh Hospital in Sierra Leone. As you are preparing to depart for your experience, your faculty advisor puts you in touch with an Alma alum, Eleanor Smith, who tells you about their own Posey Global experience: --- <img src="images/Lynch.jpg" width=250 height=405> "//I have been tentatively pre-medicine since coming to Alma College, but was never sure if it was actually something that I wanted to dedicate my life to. This opportunity I had in Sierra Leone has changed my perception entirely on what life in the medical field can be like, and I find that my resolve to become a doctor has been strengthened far beyond what I thought would be possible. In only 4 weeks I was exposed to a side of the world and the medical field that I had previously not seen up close and personal before and it has been both a trying and valuable experience. The first week and a half I worked and assisted in different administrative positions and was able to get a glimpse of the many challenges that an NGO faces every day and the sheer amount of time and effort that goes into running a hospital in a third world country. I did things like input budgetary information into excel and record financial purchases that would be sent to the foundation headquarters in Switzerland. I also worked in the office where patients checked in and paid for blood tests/X-rays. Shadowing the female ward and the children’s ward really helped me to understand just what exactly this process looked like. It was something that was really hard to understand and witness, but something that I think I really needed to know. Working in developing countries is not easy, it is not glamorous, and is never going to be a completely positive experience. Yet this hasn’t deterred me. It only solidified my understanding of what a doctor is. This experience has taught me that being a doctor will undoubtedly be difficult, stressful, and overwhelming, but ultimately it will be something that makes a small corner of the world a better and safer place.//" --- Play the video below to learn more about the (link-repeat: "Posey Global")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/experiential-learning/leadership-programs/global-leadership.php")] program: <iframe width="406.25" height="150" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j8J-kM9imoU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> [[Time to head back to school! -> Junior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) You apply and are accepted to a nationally competitive summer reasearch program. During your program, you attend a networking event, where you meet Alma alumna Cheyenne Kalfsbeek. She tells you about her Alma Venture experience: --- <img src="images/AmgenScholars.jpg" width=400 height=240> "//I participated in the Amgen Scholars Program at the National Institutes of Health, conducting biomedical research. My time at the NIH allowed me to get a good look at what neuroscience laboratory research is and a better understanding of how the scientific process works overall. I would say that my favorite part of my experience was getting to know the other 19 students in my cohort. While about half of us were from liberal arts backgrounds and the others from large research institutes, we all brought a unique perspective with us. Learning about these people and their passions opened my eyes to a lot. I would without a doubt recommend this experience to others! There was so much to benefit from in this program from the cohort dynamic to the outstanding resources and research being done at the NIH. The NIH itself is a very unique environment filled with so much diversity and support.//" --- [[Time to head back to school! -> Junior]]

(Set: $Major to "HUM") It's such a relief to have decided on your academic focus! Now you can use that focus to help refine your campus engagements inside and outside the classroom. You apply for a leadership position in one or more clubs or organizations. <img src="images/DMC.jpg" width=400.032 height=211.574> Before you know it, it's time to start thinking about how you will spend the summer! How will you spend the summer after sophomore year? [[Relax! -> Relax 2]] [[Work at a summer job -> HS job 2]] [[Apply for a study abroad program -> SA2 HUM]] [[Apply for Posey Global fellowship -> Intern2 HUM]] [[Apply for an internship -> Intern HUM]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) You enroll in a study abroad program through Alma College (link-repeat: "Off-Campus Study")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/travel")] that will allow you to grow personally, and professionally and expand your horizons while also earning Alma College credit. You had to begin planning about a year in advance, but it was worth it! Here is what one of your fellow study abroad students had to say about her experience: <img src="images/LizWebb.jpg" width=400 height=400> "//This was easily the most valuable experience I have had in my time at Alma. I learned a lot about myself as well as French language and culture. The Venture grant made this possible for me.//" - English major Elizabeth Webb ’17 [[Time to head back to school! -> Junior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) English major Asiel Clark '21 received Posey Global funding (through the Alma Venture //Serve Generously/Lead Purposefully/Live Responsibly// grant) for her international internship with Mad Dog Casting in London. She had this to say about her international internship experience, which was coordinated through Off-Campus Study partner CIEE: "//I think that travelling is more about travelling inside yourself than looking at foreign architecture or eating really good Ston oysters. Like, it should be an extended mental trip--reflecting on how you move within the world, and on how to treat yourself, other people and the natural world with more love and dignity.//" <img src="images/AsielClark.png" width=400 height=559.333333> [[Time to head back to school! -> Junior]]

(Set: $Experience to it + 2) You are glad that you got your resume reviewed and participated in a mock interview with the (link-repeat: "Career Peers")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/academics/support/center-for-student-opportunity/career-services/peer-consultants/")]. You enroll in an internship-based (link-repeat: "Off-Campus Study")[(open-url: "https://www.alma.edu/travel")] program with the Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture. The Chicago Center helps you arrange a credit-bearing intership in Chicago, IL, along with credit-bearing seminar courses. --- English major Clara Beck '21 had this to say about her semester at the Chicago Center: "//I’m interning at a nonprofit bookstore with ties to the University of Chicago. There’s a lot of pride in seeing things like newsletters and event postings go out into the world and knowing that people are seeing something that I’ve worked on. I’m learning so many skills and online programs that I can’t wait to use in the future and I wake up every day excited to see what I get to do next. The city of Chicago is becoming my home and I learn new things about myself and the city every day. I’m so grateful for this experience and I’m always excited about what the next day will bring//." <img src="images/ClaraBeck.jpg" width=400 height=533.333333> [[Time to head back to school! -> Junior]]