Immersion Weeks
Learn how you can prepare for recruiting in your target industry with Career Advancement's Immersion Weeks! These programs will ensure that you're recruiting ready before classes begin.
Applications are available on UChicago Handshake - click your preferred program below to access the application!
2026 Immersion Week Programs
Dates: September 22-24
Location: Chicago, IL (TeamWorking by TechNexus, 20 N. Wacker Drive)
Open to Students Graduating Between December 2026 and June 2029
This program will provide students with AI tooling training across technical and non-technical tracks, and employer-led sessions introducing the variety of AI applications in the workplace as they prepare for internships and future careers in artificial intelligence. Topics Include:
How to implement AI-driven tools and develop no-code agents to enhance workplace productivity
Build an understanding of how to leverage common foundational models for technical roles in AI
Develop relationships with future employers
Dates: September 16-18
Location: San Francisco, CA (Third Coast Foundry)
Open to students graduating between December 2026 and June 2029
Apply Here (Deadline: April 30)
Hosted at The Third Coast Foundry, The Polsky Center's new physical space in San Francisco for partner university-founded startups and teams traveling to the Bay Area, this program will provide students with AI tooling training across technical and non-technical tracks.
Afternoon sessions will welcome high-growth startups and leading tech firms for employer-led sessions introducing the variety of AI applications in the workplace and suggestions for how to secure AI-forward roles. Topics Include:
How to implement AI-driven tools and develop no-code agents to enhance workplace productivity
Build an understanding of how to leverage common foundational models for technical roles in AI
Develop relationships with future employers, including startups and leading technology firms
Date: September 24 | 9:00am – 1:30pm
Location: Chicago, IL
Open to All Students (Recommended for 2nd Years and New Transfer Students)
This workshop will provide students with a comprehensive overview of asset management, career paths & what analysts actually do day to day, foundational skills utilized in asset management including: asset classes & portfolio construction, what makes a good industry , and a good company to invest in, valuation techniques and engagement with the management team, structuring an investment thesis and using AI as a public market investor.
Dates: September 22-24
Location: Chicago, IL
Open to Students Graduating Between December 2026 and June 2029
Apply for an exciting opportunity with Career Advancement in Chicago for a three‑day Consulting Recruiting Intensive designed to prepare students for careers across strategy, management, and business consulting. Days one and two will focus on core consulting skill‑building—including problem‑solving frameworks, case interview techniques, and client communication through a live case —while day three will feature case presentations to industry professionals.
Students are expected to arrive in Chicago on September 21.
Day 1 | Introduction to Consulting and Casing
Program Overview & Industry Landscape: Introduction to consulting and how consultants create value
Case Interview Foundations: Hypothesis‑driven problem solving and core consulting frameworks
Interactive Case Interview Clinic: Hands‑on case practice with structured feedback with emphasis on structuring
Day 2 | Skill Building and Communication
Advanced Case Interview Practice: Small‑group, facilitated case exercises with focus on quantitative analysis, synthesis, etc.
Behavioral Interview Preparation: Overview of common consulting behavioral questions and best practices for framing
Executive Communication Training: How to present recommendations clearly and concisely, especially for executive level
Practice: Presenting Findings: Short mock presentations with peer and facilitator feedback
Day 3 | Application
Firm Visit & Practitioner Engagement: Introduction to consulting firm culture and project work
Future of Consulting: Executive talk on industry trends, evolving skills, and career trajectories
Case Competition: Team‑based case assignment to develop structured recommendation and presentation
Entrepreneurship Founder Intensive | September 23-25
Dates: September 23-25 (students are expected to arrive in Chicago on September 22)
Location: Chicago, IL
Open to Students Graduating Between December 2026 and June 2029
Apply Here
The UChicago Founder Intensive immerses students in a fast‑paced, real ‑world startup formation experience designed to move teams from open‑ended ideas to validated, high‑growth venture concepts. Through expert briefings, structured questioning, rapid idea testing, and mentor feedback, students learn how to identify real pain points, pressure‑test solutions, and build momentum toward scalable startups.
Day 1 | Formation and Ideation
Introductions and Initial Founder Team Formation: meet other potential founders and start forming teams
Industry Trends Discussion: understand focus areas for future venture investing as starting point for startup
Ideation with Mentors: Founder teams will have the opportunity to develop an initial idea and ideate with mentors
Day 2 | Discovery
Executive Briefings: Deep-dive into industry trends with industry professionals to understand needs, challenges, etc.
Rapid-Fire Chats with Professionals: Build on briefing to ask "smart" questions and leverage to refine startup idea
Debriefs with Mentors: Debrief with founder teams and mentors to gain feedback on questions and refined idea
Day 3 | Validation
Storyline Refinement and Elevator Pitch: Develop an elevator pitch and learn strategies to be persuasive
Interviews: Conduct mock interviews with investors and professionals to gather feedback and iterate on / validate idea
Reflections: Discuss learnings, whether they'll pursue their idea further, and how this has changed their view on founders
Date: September 25
Location: Chicago, IL
Open to All Students (Recommended for 2nd Years and New Transfer Students)
This workshop will provide students with a comprehensive overview of the finance recruiting process including timelines and best practices for success including interviewing and networking.
This program is funded by a generous gift from Mei Gao (P'28, P'30) and Tony Tang (MBA'00, P'28, P'30).
Curriculum
Finance & IB Recruiting Overview: Understand finance career paths, the investment banking analyst role, and recruiting timelines
Networking & Positioning: Learn how to network effectively, work with early‑career alumni, and position experiences for finance recruiting
Interview Preparation Fundamentals: Build a foundation in technical expectations, behavioral storytelling, and interview readiness
Recruiting Roadmap & Next Steps: Develop a clear action plan for the next 3-6 months and understand available resources and support
Dates: September 24-25
Location: Chicago, IL
Open to Classes of 2028 and 2029
Apply for an exciting opportunity with Career Advancement in Chicago for a two‑day Pathways in Medicine Intensive designed to prepare students for careers in the medical field. Day one will focus on how to gain experience in the sciences and patient-facing clinical care, while day two will explore current med students’ journey to medical school, learn from physicians about some specialty areas, and more.
Students are expected to arrive in Chicago on September 23.
Dates: September 23-25
Location: Washington, DC
Open to Students Graduating Between December 2026 and June 2029
Join us in Washington, DC for a National Security and Cybersecurity Recruiting Intensive designed to prepare students for careers across both the technical and policy sides of the field. The first segment of the event will focus on hands‑on skill building and exposure to technical roles, while the second will explore policy, governance, and the intersection of technology and public decision‑making.
Through a mix of workshops, interactive sessions, and networking with professionals, students will gain practical skills, industry insight, and connections to confidently pursue internships and full‑time roles in national security and cybersecurity in both public and private capacities.
Students are expected to arrive in Washington, DC on September 22.
Day 1 | Introduction
National Security Ecosystem: Learn how government agencies, think tanks, and private organizations collaborate on security challenges
Career Pathways: Explore roles, skills, and career trajectories across national security organizations
Security Simulation: Practice strategic decision‑making through a simulated national security scenario
Day 2 | Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure
Cyber Threat Landscape Briefing: Learn about state‑sponsored cyber operations, ransomware, hybrid warfare, and cyber deterrence
Cyber Defense Simulation: Walk through a cyber‑incident response scenario to practice decision‑making under pressure
Emerging Technologies in Cybersecurity: Explore how AI, quantum computing, and advanced networks are reshaping security risks and opportunities
Day 3 | Strategy and Public-Private Partnership
Advising Lawmakers: Learn how research and analysis inform national security policy and strategy
Global Security Trends: Discuss how security challenges are coordinated across borders
Public‑Private Case Studies: Analyze real‑world incidents such as SolarWinds and Log4Shell
Date: September 25
Location: Chicago, IL
Open to Students Graduating Between December 2026 and June 2029
This program aims to help students explore the variety of ways to hone their interests in physical sciences. Join us for an engaging and informative career session designed to highlight the opportunities within STEM fields including research, internships, and national lab fellowships.
Dates: September 20-25
Location: Chicago, IL
Open to Students Graduating Between December 2026 and June 2029
The UChicago Private Markets Program is a one-week immersive academic and career-oriented program to educate students in the Private Markets through theory, cases, and modeling workshops, and position them to pursue professional opportunities in private equity, private credit, family capital and private markets investing, and investment banking.
Supported by a generous gift from Amy Carbone AB ’83 and Paul Carbone AB ’83, the Private Markets Program is offered jointly by the University of Chicago Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation together with the College's Office of Career Advancement.
Dates: September 22-25
Location: New York, NY
Open to Students Selected for Restructuring Finance Cohort (Applications Open Now through February 9!)
This experience will provide students with an introduction to key concepts in restructuring including debt, equity, and both in-court and out-of-court restructuring. This will be foundational for programming in students' sophomore and junior years to prepare them for roles in restructuring. To participate, students must be members of the Restructuring Finance Program.
Day 1 | Restructuring Landscape and Distressed Investing
Key Players & Core Terminology: Learn the major stakeholders in restructuring and build fluency in essential legal and financial terminology
Restructuring Ecosystem: Understand how debtors, lenders, advisors, sponsors, and courts interact during distressed situations
Distressed Investing Overview: Apply an investor’s lens to evaluate distressed opportunities, risk profiles, and strategies
Day 2 | Bankruptcy Process and Financing
Chapter 11 Foundations: Examine the history, purpose, and key mechanics of U.S. bankruptcy and reorganization
Bankruptcy Process: Learn first‑day motions, automatic stay, plan confirmation, and the role of judges and stakeholders
Financing a Restructuring: Explore DIP financing, exit financing, and negotiations among capital providers
Day 3 | Out-of-Court Restructuring
Liability‑Management Strategies: Analyze amend‑and‑extend, exchange offers, up‑tier transactions, and drop‑down structures
Out‑of‑Court vs Chapter 11: Evaluate trade‑offs between court‑led and negotiated restructurings
Case Studies: Review real‑world restructuring scenarios and recent litigation shaping market behavior
Day 4 | Governance and Capital Structure Evaluation
Restructuring Governance: Understand decision‑making, oversight, and stakeholder dynamics in distressed situations
Capital Structure Analysis: Identify fulcrum securities, recovery pathways, and investment considerations
Investor Presentations: Present restructuring recommendations to distressed investors and receive feedback
Date: September 25
Location: Chicago, IL
Open to Students Graduating Between December 2026 and June 2029
This workshop will provide students with a comprehensive overview of the tech and computer science-specific recruiting process including timelines and best practices for success including interviewing (behavioral and technical) and networking.
Dates: September 22-25
Location: Chicago, IL
Open to Students Graduating Between December 2026 and June 2029
Apply for an exciting four-day Trading Exploration Intensive designed to introduce students to careers in financial markets and trading! Day one will focus on foundational trading concepts, including market analysis and risk management strategies, along with an introductory trading simulation and overview of common trading firms. Days two and three will feature workshops and employer sessions that explore different areas of trading, including both traditional and alternative trading. We will also discuss how to build a recruiting plan, including timelines to expect and application materials to prepare. The program will conclude on Day Four with a networking event and an advanced trading simulation.
Through a mix of training, interactive sessions, and networking with employers, students will be introduced to the trading industry and gain insight into the roles available.
Students should plan to arrive in Chicago no later than September 21.
Day 1 | Market Fundamentals
Markets & Asset Classes: Learn how financial markets operate across equities, fixed income, and derivatives
Market Structure & Risk: Understand trade execution, market mechanics, and basic trading risk
Intro Trading Simulation: Apply concepts in a live, introductory trading simulation
Day 2 | Sales and Trading in Practice
Sales & Trading Roles: Explore trader and sales functions and how desks operate day‑to‑day
Market Analysis: Practice forming market views and trade ideas through applied exercises
Employer Engagement: Learn directly from professionals through firm‑led sessions and Q&A
Day 3 | Alternative Trading and Recruiting
Alternative Markets & Technology: Examine quant strategies, digital assets, and tech‑driven trading
Recruiting Strategy: Learn recruiting timelines, technical prep, and networking best practices
Employer Panels: Hear from trading professionals about career paths and early‑career success
Day 4 | Advanced Simulation and Networking
Advanced Trading Simulation: Test decision‑making and risk skills in an extended simulation
Performance Debrief: Review results and receive targeted feedback
Careers & Networking: Discuss next steps and connect with employers and alumni
Dates: September 22-25
Location: Chicago, IL
Open to Students Graduating Between December 2026 and June 2029
This program will serve as an introduction to venture capital investing and the start-up funding lifecycle, from angel investing to IPO. Students will explore how venture capital firms source, evaluate, and structure investments. Offerings include:
Skill-Building Workshops
Case Studies
Practical Application at a VC Firm
Career Insights
Day 1 | Venture Capital Ecosystem
Venture Ecosystem Overview: Learn how startups, founders, funds, and investors interact across stages of growth
VC Core Concepts: Build fluency in venture terminology, firm structures, and investment mechanics
Portfolio Case Studies: Explore real investment theses, sourcing decisions, and post‑investment involvement
Day 2 | Developing the Investor Lens
Early Signals & Pattern Recognition: Learn how investors assess potential and form conviction with limited information
Building Investment Expertise: Understand how VCs develop differentiated views and sector focus
Operator to Investor Perspectives: Explore how operator experience shapes investment decision‑making
Day 3 | Founder-Led Investing
Founding in Emerging Markets: Examine how founders identify unmet needs, fundraise, and scale companies
Investing as a Founder: Analyze how founder experience informs company and team evaluation
Investment Case Analysis: Review key investment and fundraising decisions in scaling businesses
Day 4 | Strategy and VC Career Pathways
Focused VC Strategies: Compare corporate and independent VC models and investment approaches
Fintech & Digital Assets Trends: Explore current themes shaping venture investment theses
Careers in Venture Capital: Learn about VC career paths, portfolio roles, and how to prepare early
