New Tuck Pathfinders Program Gets Underway

“Tuck Pathfinders offers Dartmouth first-year students an invaluable opportunity to think clearly and intentionally about their futures from the start of their college careers,” says Wheelan, who was also recently named faculty director of Tuck’s Center for Business, Government & Society. “The courses taught by exceptional Dartmouth, Thayer, and Tuck faculty and DCCD staff, the fireside chats with alumni, the networking and career opportunities—all play a huge role in preparing students for an intentional life after graduation.”

Over the course of four consecutive weekend sessions—three in person at Tuck and one conducted virtually—students completed a series of modules focused on professional skills, life skills, and big-picture thinking.

Before the first session, the DCCD administered the CliftonStrengths assessment to help participants identify their top skills. These insights were then used alongside the Career Exploration Generator to match students’ strengths with potential career paths.

In the classroom, Dartmouth and Tuck faculty led sessions like Negotiating with Influence, Professional Communications, The Science of Happiness and Well-Being, Personal Finance, and Designing Your Life. In addition to the courses, students attended fireside chats with Dartmouth alumni whose career journeys complemented the day’s lessons. For example, following a session on personal finance, students heard from Ish McLaughlin D’88 of Franklin Templeton Investments, who shared insights from his own career path. These chats illustrated that there is more than one path students can follow after graduating from college.

“Through the program, students gained confidence—both personally and professionally,” says Lisa Tedeschi, assistant dean for Tuck Undergraduate Education. “I think part of that confidence came from asking, ‘What are my strengths, and how can I capitalize on those as I pursue what truly interests me?’”

For Caroline Clark D’28, Pathfinders provided clarity about her future and reassured her that changing career paths is both normal and acceptable.

“I learned that career trajectories do not tend to be linear. Instead of hyperfixating on one specific thing, I’ve learned it’s more important to think about the broader picture and trust that the path will lead me where I’m supposed to be,” she says.

Looking ahead, Tedeschi hopes to expand Pathfinders by offering sessions throughout the academic year, doubling participation to 150 first-year students, and introducing new courses on topics such as personal branding, leadership, and resume building, taught by additional faculty.

“Tuck Pathfinders is an opportunity for students in any major to learn about career possibilities, meet alumni, and gain skills that will benefit them throughout their lives—whether they’re an artist, a chemist, or planning to go into business,” Tedeschi says. “I would love for it to become an opportunity that any and all first-year students at Dartmouth could participate in.”