Endeavor is a free three-day career exploration program held over winter break. Through reflective exercises, conversations with alumni, and industry immersions with employers, you will explore the fit of a few career options and leave knowing at least one career field you are interested in further exploring.
At a Glance
Overview
Endeavor is designed to help you better understand how the skills you are gaining through your coursework and extracurricular experiences translate to potential careers. You will be led through the three-day program by past participants, known as Endeavor Fellows, along with Career Center staff and returning alumni.
By the end of Endeavor, you will be empowered to take control of your career journey. In addition, you will be able to:
- Describe 1-3 resources or strategies you can use to explore career fields.
- Identify 1-3 career fields that align with your interests that you would like to further explore.
- Identify 1-3 skills you hope to incorporate into your career paths that align with the skills employers are seeking in recent college graduates.
- Identify the nine Boston College career readiness competencies.
- Articulate at least one example of where you have developed each of the nine career readiness competencies.
- Create a plan to develop skills and competencies required for a particular field of interest.
- Connect the skills, interests, and values you are gaining at Boston College to specific career opportunities of interest.
- Develop confidence in communicating with alumni and professionals.
- Identify 1-3 next steps in your career discernment and planning.
“Endeavor transforms the daunting task of deciphering one’s future into an exciting adventure of opportunity and possibility.”
Endeavor 2025 Keynote Speaker
Jamal Halepota '09
Account Director, Microsoft
Jamal Halepota ’09 is a seasoned Account Director at Microsoft, based in Atlanta. With a diverse background spanning Capitol Hill, Wall Street, and Silicon Valley, Jamal has honed his expertise in strategic partnerships and driving positive business outcomes. At Microsoft, Jamal is a trusted advisor who specializes in leadership, client relationship management, strategy, and cross-functional collaboration.
Before joining Microsoft, Jamal built his career with experiences in Revenue and Operations at Snapchat and investment banking at Credit Suisse’s Technology, Media, and Telecommunications Group. He also served as Global Business Development Lead for the Cambridge Innovation Center, supporting international and domestic expansion.
Jamal's career began on Capitol Hill, where he served as a Legislative Assistant to United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. In this role, he analyzed, crafted, and advanced legislation in the Senate, providing counsel and recommendations on issues related to energy, the environment, and aerospace.
Jamal has been recognized as an "ATLeader" by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. He is actively involved with the Boston College Alumni Association, serving as a Board Member, Regional Engagement Committee Member, and Chair of the Atlanta Chapter. Additionally, he is on the Board of Directors for Grand Street Settlement in New York City and sits on the Advisory Council for the Microsoft Stakeholders Voluntary Political Action Committee. He holds a B.A. in Economics from Boston College and an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Originally from Upstate New York, he enjoys outdoor activities, lacrosse, live music, and traveling with friends.
A look inside the three-day experience
Footage from Endeavor 2020. Video by Young Kim, MCAS '21.
Impact of Endeavor
Past participants tell stories of how Endeavor helped them connect their skills, interests, and values to meaningful career opportunities.
A Shift in Mindset
Alycia Carroll
Economics major Alycia Carroll found herself confused and conflicted. She liked her classes, was doing well in them, but they didn’t bring her joy. The social justice work she experienced in her Pulse class did. At Endeavor, Alycia met an alumna working for a big company making positive social change, proving to Alycia you could do both.
When One Door Closes
Brian Kusior
As the son of two doctors, Brian Kusior assumed he would naturally follow in his parents’ footsteps. After receiving his first C in chemistry, a class he excelled at in high school, feelings of self-doubt began to emerge. Was the pre-med track right for him? Endeavor began a journey of self discovery that would lead him to new and unexpected choices.
Listen to Yourself
Elena Akins
Communication major Elena Akins felt overwhelmed by the number of career options available to her. She knew she wanted a job that would have a direct and meaningful impact on people, but what career path would lead her there. A simple piece of advice she received at Endeavor helped narrow the field and introduced an unexpected career choice.