InSight Program

InSight is a four-year Life Skills program developed by Career Collaborative. It offers a one-of-a-kind “professional readiness” experience for undergraduate students at Champlain College. InSight is the third component of Champlain’s career focused education, alongside a student’s MAJOR and Core. Through a student’s four years at Champlain, they will complete a series of InSight activities that focus on Career, Personal Finance, and Wellbeing. These themes come together to create the cornerstone of a successful transition from college to career.

Theme#1 = Career

Students will learn to navigate through the complex career development process and make confident decisions about their future. Topics include: internship and job search, application writing, interview skills, and communication and networking.

Theme #2 = Personal Finance

Students will learn to make viable and reliable financial decisions. Topics include: salary negotiation and evaluation of compensation packages; budget management and cost of living analysis; debt and credit management; and student loan repayment strategies.

Theme #3 = Wellbeing

Students will learn to care for themselves and others in support of personal growth, resilience and success. Topics include: social connectedness, self-management, purposeful living, and work-life integration.

Activities and Action Items due Each Year

InSight is an institutional requirement for all full-time undergraduate students. As such, students will need to complete all previously outlined milestones for each theme before registering for classes each semester.

*New incoming students will receive detailed information over the summer about the milestones to be achieved and their specific due dates.

Milestones to be completed during YEAR 1:

Activate your account on Handshake (our career management platform), where you will upload your existing resume.
Complete an Incoming InSight Survey, where you’ll answer self reflection questions around career readiness, personal finance, and wellbeing.
Attend a career activity of your choice (called a “CAREERtalk”)*. You can select one activity from a list of options we’ll propose to you.
Participate in Game of Life, where you will produce a Budget Report based on a simulation of your financial life after graduation.
Attend Champ 101 (our 10-week First Year Experience Program).

Milestones to be completed during YEAR 2:

A special event, called Sophomore Sprint will be offered that will allow you to complete all of your milestones in one day.

Complete your updated sophomore resume.
Complete your LinkedIn profile.
Attend a session on understanding credit and debt management, and complete a personalized credit action plan.
Attend a care-for-others wellbeing activity of your choice (called “CAREtalk”). You can select one activity from a list of options we’ll propose to you.
Complete a virtual training on Helping Peers in Distress.

Milestones to be completed during YEAR 3:

Attend a Career Fair or networking opportunity and interact with employers in your fields of interest.
Draft a cover letter.
Attend a personal finance activity of your choice (called “MONEYtalk”). You can select one activity from a list of options we’ll propose to you.
Attend a CAREERtalk (a career activity of your choice)*. You’ll have several different eligible career-advancing topics to choose from throughout the academic year.
Attend a Purposeful Living Event that discusses the intersectionality of your career path and your wellbeing. You’ll have several of these events to choose from throughout the year.

Milestones to be completed during YEAR 4:

Attend a Career Fair or networking opportunity and interact with employers in your fields of interest.
Complete your post-grad budget plan.personalized Repayment Action Plan for after graduation.
Participate in an activity that will help you refine your interviewing skills. We will offer a variety of options throughout the year.
Complete the Exit InSight Survey
Complete the Graduation Survey.

IMPORTANT: InSight is a required co-curricular experience for students and part of Champlain’s unique learning model. As such, students must complete all required milestones by their expected due dates prior to registering for the next semester’s courses.

(*) A minimum of one activity is required for each “CAREERtalk, MONEYtalk, or CAREtalk” milestone. You are encouraged to participate in as many activities as you like.

Questions regarding InSight can be directed to insight@champlain.edu or (802) 860-2720.