When Rachel Mattison applied for a Center for Career Engagement Bear Trek during the spring of her sophomore year, she thought she was exploring a future in consulting. Eighteen months later, the WashU senior has a full-time job offer from Kraft Heinz and a much clearer understanding of the work, values and lifestyle she wants in her career.
For Mattison, a double major in Economics and Strategy and Marketing, with a minor in Religion and Politics, the trek’s value wasn’t just that it opened a door for a job after graduation. Rather, it helped her rule out a path that wasn’t the right fit.
“I didn’t really have a good sense of what consulting was,” Mattison said. “I was hoping to get a better sense of the work by meeting people who were doing it, and the Bear Trek showed me that more explicitly.”
The Chicago-based Bear Trek introduced students to organizations across consulting and food and beverage, including Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo, and Conagra Brands, as well as Bain & Company, Boston Consulting Group, L.E.K. Consulting and ZS.
I didn’t really have a good sense of what consulting was. I was hoping to get a better sense of the work by meeting people who were doing it, and the Bear Trek showed me that more explicitly.
– Rachel Mattison
“Bear Treks give students an immersive opportunity to explore industries, connect with alumni and employers, and learn about career paths,” said Casey Jenkerson director, employer engagement. “Each visit is tailored to the organization, and it may include a company overview with recruiting timelines and insights, an alumni panel, a tour or time to network.”
That experience proved transformational for Mattison.
A visit to one company helped clarify what she wanted from her future career. When employees described ending work at 8 p.m. one night each week as a benefit, she realized the lifestyle wasn’t the right fit for her.
“I realized that I had a lot more that I was interested in that goes on before 8 p.m. and that I had a lot more of a life that I wanted to be living than was going to be conducive with that lifestyle,” she said.
The trek also exposed her to careers in consumer-packaged goods, where she found a stronger connection to the work itself. At Kraft Heinz, she was intrigued by the opportunity to work on longer-term initiatives and see projects through from concept to launch.
“The opportunity to work on a project focused on long-term strategy, and to see that vision come to life over time, was exactly the kind of work I was looking for,” she said.
Career experts say these types of experiential opportunities are critical to students’ development. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) identifies career and self-development as foundational competencies for career readiness in addition to communication, critical thinking, professionalism and networking.
NACE research also highlights the important role that experiential learning and direct employer engagement play in helping students connect academic interests to career pathways.
Mattison’s experience reflects a broader trend. NACE research found that graduates who participated in experiential learning during college reported higher levels of career satisfaction and higher average salaries in their first jobs than those who did not, demonstrating the value of opportunities that allow students to test career interests before graduation.
For Mattison, the experience extended far beyond the trip itself.
I felt prepared for Kraft Heinz’ visit to campus because I had already been to the company and connected with the WashU alumna. By the time they came to campus in the fall, I felt well informed and in a good position to move forward with that company.
– Rachel Mattison
While visiting Kraft Heinz, she met a WashU alumna who stayed in touch after the trek. The two connected on LinkedIn, held networking conversations and discussed career options as Mattison prepared for internship recruiting.
When Kraft Heinz returned to campus the following fall, Mattison already had the foundational knowledge and relationships which gave her the upper hand in being recruited for an internship.
“I felt prepared for Kraft Heinz’ visit to campus because I had already been to the company and connected with the WashU alumna,” she said. By the time they came to campus in the fall, I felt well informed and in a good position to move forward with that company.”
That preparation led to a marketing internship with Kraft Heinz during the summer before her senior year.
Working on the Heinz brand’s innovation team, Mattison conducted competitive analyses, studied consumer trends and explored opportunities in the growing “Better-for-You” product space. The internship allowed her to apply skills developed in the classroom while gaining exposure to a global brand.
The WashU network continued to play a significant role.
“A very high percentage of my coffee chats during my internship were WashU alumni and people who were very invested in my own journey,” she said.
The experience culminated in a full-time offer to join Kraft Heinz’s marketing trainee program after graduation.
But perhaps the most meaningful outcome wasn’t the offer itself. It was the confidence and self-awareness she gained along the way.
“I’ve gotten much better at understanding who I want to be when I show up to work,” Mattison said. “Through the Center for Career Engagement and Kraft Heinz, I really learned what makes me unique and what I can offer an organization.”
Looking back, Mattison encourages students to begin exploring careers early, not because they need all the answers, but because discovery takes time.
“The earlier you can connect your interests with your strengths, the sooner you can start exploring different fields and finding work that feels meaningful and fulfilling.”
– Rachel Mattison
“The earlier you can connect your interests with your strengths, the sooner you can start exploring different fields and finding work that feels meaningful and fulfilling,” she said.
In Mattison’s case, a two-day career exploration trip became something much bigger: a clearer sense of purpose, a professional network and a pathway from curiosity to career.
Career Development is one of the Division of Student Success’ anchors that delivers a transformative student experience. Student Success aspires to distinguish WashU as a place where students discover and create pathways to meaningful and competitive employment opportunities throughout their lives.