Industry Immersion

Industry Immersion

Industry Immersion strengthens relationships between students, alumni and industry professionals, by giving motivated students an opportunity to explore industry and leading job markets and engage with high-powered C&IS alumni and leaders.

Elevate yourself personally and professionally through first-hand experience of company cultures and creating new contacts in the industry.

Industry Immersion

Application

Students of all majors and classifications are eligible to apply, but trip itineraries focus on industries related to C&IS majors. Students must be in academic good standing when applying for admission to an Industry Immersion trip. Applicants who show promise on their application will be invited to an interview. 

Requirements

  • Attend pre-program orientation(s)
  • Agree and sign the behavior expectations form(s)
  • Have access to professional attire (business casual for most trips)

Upcoming Trips

​2024

  • Birmingham, AL – Friday, October 18
  • Nashville, TN – Wednesday, October 30- Friday, November 1 [Fall Break]
  • Atlanta, GA – Wednesday, October 30- Friday, November 1 [Fall Break]
  • Carolinas (Virtual) – Friday, November 15
  • New York, NY – Sunday, December 15- Thursday, December 19

2025

  • Huntsville, AL – Friday, February 21
  • Los Angeles, CA – Sunday, March 9 – Thursday, March 13
  • New Orleans, LA – Thursday, April 3 – Friday, April 4
  • Gulf Coast (Virtual) – Friday, April 11
  • Chicago, IL – Sunday, May 4 – Thursday, May 8

Objectives

  • Join industry networking opportunities
  • Strengthen professional brands and profiles
  • Recognize different work cultures
  • Polish relationship building skills
  • Pinpoint professional goals
Reese Phifer

​Industry Immersion equipped me with the confidence and knowledge to effectively market myself to potential employers. The program has afforded me a wealth of opportunities, but most importantly it has grown my professional network and helped me establish valuable relationships within the industry.

Emma Adcock

Before

Engage in orientation and complete assigned industry research and trade readings. Orientation covers trip expectations, safety, networking strategy, communication guidelines and how to prepare to meet an employer.

During

Delve into the companies from the trip’s itinerary, including work culture and tips for pursuing a job. Daily schedules during each trip are intensive and motivating.

After

Stay in-touch with connections you make during your Industry Immersion trip. Ask questions, seek feedback and apply to open positions.

Gorgas Library

Industry Immersion gave me the tools I needed to become a confident young professional. I learned how to maximize my network, tips on nailing a meeting or interview, and had the opportunity to explore my chosen career path. This past summer, I interned with an agency in Birmingham that I connected with through Industry Immersion. I’m excited to help engage other students in this amazing opportunity right here on campus. Take the time to elevate the skills and resources you already have because you definitely won’t regret it!

Sarah Fields

$50 virtual (ex. Gulf Coast, Carolinas)

$100 in-person day trip (ex. Birmingham, Huntsville)

$500 in-person 2-day overnight (ex. New Orleans)

$1,000 in-person 3-day overnight (ex. Nashville, Atlanta)

$1,750 4-day overnight (ex. New York, Los Angeles, Chicago)

Costs Covered

  • Housing for the duration of the organized trip
  • Transportation to and from scheduled meetings
  • Tours and appointments
  • Assigned faculty and staff coordinators
  • Trip planning and itinerary building
  • Workshops provided before the trip and during the trip

On day trips and overnight day trips, transportation is provided by university personnel, which is factored into the trip fee. For other trips,​ the trip fee does not include flight/transportation to or from the trip destination or meals during the trip.

Not Covered

  • Any recreation outside the itinerary
  • Transportation outside the itinerary
  • Transportation to and from the airport
  • Meals, except for corporate-sponsored catering during industry meetings
  • All flight expenses (including baggage fees)

Transportation is provided for day trips to Huntsville, Birmingham, New Orleans, Nashville and Atlanta.

Payment

Once you’ve been accepted on a trip, all payments are online. The payment link will be in your acceptance email.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for trips with program fees over $500. Scholarships may cover either a portion of the trip fee or the full cost. Scholarships consider financial need and how students are able to contribute to their program fee.

Students applying for an Industry Immersion must submit a scholarship essay on the topic “Why do you need a scholarship for the Industry Immersion program and what difference will this funding make for you?”. (A suggested word count is around 500 words, but there is no length or word count requirement.) Scholarship application submission instructions are included on the trip application in the C&IS Engagement Portal.

Students are recommended to have at least a 3.0 grade point average to apply for a trip scholarship.

Reese Phifer

Industry Immersion is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Through it, I have traveled to several major market cities to meet industry leaders and C&IS alumni, giving me insight into the industry and helping me grow my professional network. It has also provided me the opportunity to serve in the professional development of fellow students. In this role, I help future participants prepare to take advantage of networking opportunities and develop personal brands.

Michael Johnson

Officers

Staff

Applications for 2025 – 2026 Industry Immersion Student Executive and Student Director positions may be found on the C&IS Student Engagement Portal in Spring 2025.

Contact

Have questions? Reach out to us.