Vandy in the Valley

Vandy in the Valley is a new immersive experience designed to give Vanderbilt students firsthand exposure to the technology, startup, and innovation ecosystem of Silicon Valley. Through company site visits, alumni connections, and guided preparation, students will explore what it’s really like to build a career in tech.

From educational programming beginning in February 2026 to travel in California from July 28–31, 2026, participants will explore a wide range of roles across the tech sector—whether you’re curious about AI, software engineering, product management, or emerging tech pathways. This trek offers a real-world lens into what’s possible and how to get there.

Students: Applications Now Open for Summer 2026!

Applications close on Friday, January 30.

Apply Now

Prep sessions

Get ready for the trek and recruiting season.

Learn what it takes

See how to land internships, research roles, and full-time positions.

Unlock connections

Take the next step.

Program Structure

The program is broken down into two parts: Virtual Preparation and the Silicon Valley Trek.

Virtual Preparation (Spring 2026)
Accepted students will complete a 6-week virtual educational program designed to prepare you for the trek and recruiting season.
- February–May 2026
- Thursdays, 6:00–7:30 p.m. CT
- Alumni panels, industry insights, recruiting prep, and skill-building sessions
- Kickoffs during Vandy in Engineering & Tech Week
Silicon Valley Trek (Summer 2026)
Location: Silicon Valley, CA
(Cities may include San Jose, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Fremont, and San Francisco)
Dates:
July 28 – July 31, 2026
What to Expect:
- Company site visits
- Alumni networking events
- Exposure to internships, projects, and recruiting teams
- A focus on organizations where Vanderbilt students are currently interning

FAQs

What is the timeline?
- Vandy in the Valley Required Virtual Sessions:
  - February 19th – 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CT
    Vandy in the Valley Program Kickoff: West Coast Engineering Industry Networking Night
  - February 26th – 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. CT
  - March 6th – 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  - March 19th – 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  - March 26th – 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  - April 2nd – 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Virtual Pre-Trek Workshops: Mid-July 2026
  - If selected, students are required to attend one out of two workshop sessions offered.
    July 14th, 12-12:45 PM CT: Pre-Trek Workshop, Option I
    July 15th, 3-3:45 PM CT: Pre-Trek Workshop, Option II
- Vandy in Valley Trek: July 28-31, 2026
  - Tentative Schedule:
    July 28th: Morning: Travel to Silicon Valley | Evening: Networking Night
    July 29th & 30th: Trek Site Visits
    Trek concludes evening of July 30th
    July 31st: Morning: Depart Silicon Valley
- Required Post-Trek Survey: August 3-7, 2026
What students are eligible?
This program is designed primarily for rising sophomores and juniors interested in engineering, technology, and innovation.
- Sophomores: Prepare early for junior-year internships or research opportunities
- Juniors: Gain insight into full-time and new-grad roles
- First-years & seniors: Welcome to participate in the virtual educational programming, but not eligible for travel
Students from engineering, computer science, business, finance, and venture capital interests are encouraged to explore this opportunity.
What majors should apply?
Students from many disciplines can benefit, including:
- Computer Science – Software engineering, AI, data, product, and startup roles
- Electrical & Computer Engineering – Hardware, semiconductors, embedded systems, GPUs/CPUs
- Mechanical Engineering – Robotics, aerospace, autonomous vehicles
- Biomedical Engineering – Biotech, healthcare startups, medical innovation
- Chemical Engineering – Materials science, R&D, biotech, semiconductors
- Civil & Environmental Engineering – Infrastructure, energy, data center design
Students interested in business, finance, or venture capital will also explore startup ecosystems and entrepreneurial pathways.