4WARD: Career Pathways Program
Transformative Experience for First-Year Career Seekers
The 4WARD Career Pathways Program is a specialized and impactful multi-year experience specifically tailored for first-generation undergraduate students and others coming to Rutgers—New Brunswick without a well-established career network. The program aims to support participants in achieving post-graduation career success. Through this program, students can clarify their career goals, access exclusive recruiting resources that unlock valuable internship experiences, and actively engage in various opportunities that enhance their competitiveness in pursuing their future careers. Despite the complexity of the professional world, the 4WARD Career Pathways Program serves as a streamlined pathway to success.
Our next information sessions will be in Fall 2026. Stay Tuned!
Learn More
This program is an exclusive, high-impact, multi-year experience designed to assist participants in reaching post-graduation success. First-year undergraduate participants are assigned a career success strategist for two years and paired with an industry mentor during year two of the program. Students will clarify their career goals, have access to unique recruiting resources to unlock internship experiences, and engage in opportunities designed to make them more competitive in their future career pursuits. The world of work is complex, but the onramp to success doesn't have to be through the 4WARD Career Pathways Program.
Students that participate in the 4WARD Program will have special access to a cohort student model consisting of ongoing sessions with an assigned career advisor, unique networking opportunities with employers, 1-on-1 mentoring with alumni, credit-bearing course options, priority access to career fairs, five stamps in the #Rutgersworks Free Tuition Challenge for each completed semester, and special stole at graduation.
All Rutgers University-New Brunswick first-year undergraduate students enrolled full-time are encouraged to apply for the program. Students do not need to declare a major but should be enthusiastic about exploring career options and committed to long-term participation.
Applications for this program will open up on October 1, 2025 and will close on November 15, 2025. You will then be redirected to complete an online application and submit an interview clip using Big Interview.
Attend a virtual information session to learn more about the program and the application process. Information on virtual information sessions for Fall 2025 will be included here shortly!
What Students Say
Insightful Mentors
"Working with my mentor has been amazing! I've already learned so much about pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology, what it's like in grad school, and her inspiring personal story. She has also been very helpful in helping me find more opportunities, working on my resume, and answering all of my questions. I look forward to each of our conversations and am so grateful that she is my mentor."
Luke Stanton
Psychology and Cognitive Science double major
Develop Skills
"My experience with 4WARD has been nothing short of amazing! Entering the program as a freshman, 4WARD gave me the clarity I needed. As I progress through the program, I feel increasingly confident in my ability to enter the workforce."
Fore Odufalu
Computer Science major
Advisory Board
This program's advisory board—made up of faculty, staff, students, and employers—guides the initiative, strengthens connections, and prepares program participants for life after Rutgers.
4WARD Mentoring
Overview
The 4WARD Mentoring Program connects industry professionals with motivated undergraduate students seeking professional guidance as they explore career pathways. Through structured mentoring relationships, professionals play a vital role in helping students develop career readiness skills, expand their networks, and gain insight into industries and career paths.
Employer Information
The 4WARD Mentoring Program pairs professionals with undergraduate students based on aligned career pathways and industry categories. Mentors provide career guidance, industry perspective, and professional development support from October through April.
While students are grouped into career categories within broader pathways, mentors are not expected to match a student’s exact career goal. The emphasis is on professional mentorship, transferable skills, and exposure to career journeys.
By participating as a mentor, professionals can:
Mentors are asked to:
Estimated time commitment: Approximately ~2 hours per month from October through April.
Students participating in 4WARD are:
Motivated to build professional relationships
The mentoring relationship is developmental in nature. Mentors are not expected to provide internships, job shadowing, or employment opportunities, though those connections may develop organically.
The primary goal is to support students in building confidence, professional skills, and clarity about their future careers through a meaningful professional relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Students select a career pathway and are grouped into career categories. Matches are made based on industry alignment and transferable experience rather than exact job titles.
Exact matches are not required. Many skills and career experiences are transferable across industries. Your professional journey, insights, and advice are highly valuable, even if the student ultimately pursues a different path.
No. The program is designed for professional development and mentorship. While relationships may naturally lead to internship or employment conversations, recruitment is not the primary goal.
Yes. We welcome engagement from multiple employees and value organizational partnerships that expand student access to mentors.
Mentors receive:
The formal mentoring cycle runs from October through April. Many mentoring relationships continue informally beyond the program.
Get Involved
Interested in serving as a 4WARD Mentor?