Vocational Exploration Student Resources - OPCD - University of Dallas

Vocational Exploration Resources for Students

Home-Life at UD-Student Support Resources-Personal Career Development-Udodyssey-Vocational Exploration Student Resources - OPCD - University of Dallas

“

The journey that stirs you now is not far off.

The Odyssey, Book II, 285

Welcome to your UD Odyssey

UD Odyssey is here to inspire and guide you on the exciting journey of discovering your deeper purpose and calling. Through hands-on vocational exploration, meaningful mentorship, and impactful community service, you'll have countless opportunities to uncover what truly drives you. By teaming up with campus and community partners, we make sure you have the support and resources to explore your path and bring your purpose to life.

Vocation: where your deep happiness and the world's deep needs meet.

Start Your UD Odyssey

Vocational Exploration

Vocation is more than just your job. It's an internal push toward a particular kind of work and an external pull toward the needs of your community. It is your purpose, meaning, career, and everything in between.

Finding your vocation is a journey -- it’s your very own UD Odyssey! And like Odysseus, you’ll face obstacles along the way. You’ll solve problems, explore strange environments, and make discoveries that will eventually lead you to a life of purpose and meaning, no matter what path you choose.

Exploring Your Vocation Video UD Odyssey Workshops Vocational Exploration Resources Finding Your Vocation Guide

Community Engagement

For many UD students, engaging with and serving your community is integrated into your sense of self and of your personal calling. Through the UD Odyssey program, students can find opportunities to serve, build community, and explore your vocation in the process.

Get Involved with Service at UD

At UD, opportunities to give back are always within reach. From events like Charity Week and Clash of the Classes to club-led service projects, you’ll find plenty of ways to serve others while building meaningful connections with both the UD and Irving communities.

Vocations & Volunteer Fair

Hosted every Octoboer, this fair brings nonprofit organizations and religious orders to the UD campus to recruit student candidates for volunteer, internship, and full-time service opportunities.

Nonprofit Internship Stipend Program

Rising juniors and seniors are eligible to receive funding for unpaid internships with nonprofit or charity organizations each summer. Stipends are paid after the completion of the internship and a reflection activity. Applications open every fall.

Make an Impact Beyond Campus

The Irving and Dallas areas are home to a wide range of nonprofit organizations that welcome student volunteers. Participating in efforts like The Big Event, a day of service in the local community, shows how your contributions can make a real difference beyond campus.

Mentoring

Mentoring is an opportunity for students to gain insight from experienced UD alumni to guide you as you begin to explore different professions and opportunities. Through one-on-one alumni mentoring and job shadowing, UD Odyssey provides support for more practical career and vocational exploration. Mentoring also serves to form character as students receive guidance from experienced alumni.

UD Mentoring Program

The University of Dallas Mentoring Program matches experienced UD alumni with students seeking guidance and wisdom as they navigate UD and prepare for the next steps in their lives. The UD Mentoring Program is facilitated by the Office of Alumni Relations and the Office of Personal Career Development. The program includes:

At least four in-person or virtual meetings with your assigned mentor per academic year.
One on-campus networking event for students and mentors each academic year.

If you are interested in participating, please email Christina Nguyen.

UD Job Shadowing Program

Five to seven undergraduate students will have the opportunity to participate in a half or full day of job shadowing with organizations and corporations in the community. Through this program, we hope that students will gain more insight into different organizations and be able to explore how they may belong.

This program has concluded. Stay tuned for the next opportunity. Questions? Email goneill@udallas.edu.

*Vocation definition adapted from a quote by Frederick Buechner: The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.

The UD Odyssey Program is funded by a grant from the Council of Independent Colleges and Lilly Endowment Inc.

Keep Exploring

Discover the University of Dallas Cost and Aid Core Curriculum