Profession Extension Projects (PEPs) are unpaid project-based learning opportunities designed and offered by Kenyon alumni and parents to emulate real-world work. Each project allows students to develop key skills and insights into an industry while receiving valuable coaching and feedback from Kenyon alumni and parents with expertise in the field.
Profession Extension Projects are:
- Accessible: Each PEP is a stand alone project, approximately 3 – 40 hours in duration, that students can complete remotely, year-round with commonly available software and equipment. There is no limit to the number of PEPs a student can complete.
-
Hands-on: PEPs are practical, in-depth experiences tailor-made by dedicated mentors to emulate real-world projects from their career fields.
-
Developmental: PEPs allow students to apply skills developed at Kenyon to projects that will enhance their professional profiles while gleaning insights into a career field.
-
Experiential: Projects can be added to resumes or help build portfolios. When appropriate students can request LinkedIn recommendations from PEP mentors.
Types of PEP projects include:
- Mock Exercise: Students tackle common real-world experiences through mock projects. Examples include:
- Conduct a search engine optimization (SEO) audit for a website of the student’s choice
- Create a long/short trading strategy and backtest the strategy using data
- Student writes a mock grant proposal on a topic/area of their choice
- Case Studies: Student provides feedback or proposals related to a past project within the mentor's company or industry. Examples include:
- Pitch a marketing plan for a consumer product
- Student analyzes a past political campaign
- Create a pitch deck for a company acquisition
- Feedback on Student Work: Students work is examined by a mentor in their area of expertise. Examples include:
- Mentor reviews student's pitch packet designed to showcase their writing to a literary agent.
- Mentor provides feedback on a student's business plan
- Mentor provides feedback on a specific aspect of a student's screenplay
"This experience has completely changed the trajectory of my life and professional aspirations. I feel like I am so much better equipped to navigate my career post-graduation."
Interested in learning more about leading a PEP. Schedule a call with Karen Leuthold from the Career Development Office at leuthold1@kenyon.edu or 740-427-5074 to develop your idea.
Or if you already have an idea in mind fill out this form to register your PEP.
Also check out our Mentor Resource Guide.
Once your PEP is approved we will list it for students on a rolling basis and send you a student application when anyone applies.
If you approve the application, we will contact the student and have them reach out to you to set up a meeting to discuss your project in more detail.
Review available Professional Extension Projects and apply for them via the PEP resource page in Handshake.
The CDO will send your application materials to the PEP mentor to review it for fit, availability, and desired learning outcomes.
If selected, you will be connected with the PEP mentor via email introduction and asked to schedule an introductory call to discuss project timelines and expectations.
Before starting your PEP read the Student PEP Resource Guide to gain a clear understanding of the PEP program and expectations and sign the PEP Agreement Form.
When you finish the PEP Project you may consult with the CDO about how to add the PEP experience to your resume.
When appropriate you can request a LinkedIn recommendation from your mentor to enhance the description of the PEP on your LinkedIn profile.
Karen Leuthold
