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Elevate Your Potential with Stanford PREP

Join our Summer 2025 Cohort. Apply today!

Forge a path to success early in your career with the Practical Readiness for Emerging Professionals (PREP) program.  Set against the backdrop of Stanford University's campus, this nine-week summer residential initiative offers an enriching and interactive environment to help participants gain and achieve practical career readiness in today's challenging workplace. 

 

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A Holistic Approach to Professional Development

Stanford PREP partners with companies to bring a unique multi-week program that goes beyond traditional training.  PREP participants will:

  • Gain insight into power dynamics and workplace politics
  • Develop essential soft skills for professional success
  • Partake in experiential, interactive learning and networking 

 

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An Enriching Residential Program on the Stanford Campus

Stanford PREP offers interns and early-career professionals on-campus housing and meals for nine weeks, from mid-June to end of August. 

  • PREP participants will work a daily schedule with their companies off-campus while living and learning in student housing. 
  • Participants are required to attend a weekly one-hour class in the evening while networking with other participants in residence. 
  • PREP is not an alternative program that replaces the participant's internship, but complements it with experiential learning and weekly presentations from Stanford-affiliated lecturers and speakers.
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Learn more about Stanford PREP!

  • Open to interns, early career professionals and companies. Employers are required to sign a form proving their internship with the participant.
  • Companies have the option to subsidize their intern's participation in PREP.   
  • The PREP summer program covers the program cost and includes a shared room with common bath in an undergraduate residence in the main campus, and one meal per day.
     

2024 PREP Program Cohort

The 2024 PREP Program summer cohort engaged in interactive classes that complemented their internships and supported their professional growth. Topics focused on developing skills in intellectual curiosity, conflict resolution, self-assessment, leveraging diversity and inclusion, and more, helping to prepare participants to excel in today’s dynamic workplace.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Who’s the ideal PREP Program participant?
PREP is best suited for individuals who are:  

  • Current college students who wish to prepare themselves for the workforce
  • Early career professionals who want to sharpen their soft skills
  • Individuals reentering the workforce after a period of non-work
  • Employees making a career transition (from service/trade to  professional)
     

How do participants apply for the PREP Program ?

  1. Applications are accepted via the application portal. Application opens in the Winter Quarter.

  2. Participant will receive a decision and a list of requirements.   

  3. Participant must complete, sign and upload all required documents by the deadline, including payment of any deposit and the remaining balance. 

  4. Participant will receive check-in and program instructions two weeks before moving in to the PREP summer residence on campus.
     

How long is the PREP Program?
The program is nine weeks in duration.  Our Summer 2025 program starts June 23 - August 24. Modified program schedules may be offered but are dependent on availability. 
 

How often and when will program sessions be held?
Sessions and other activities will be held approximately one evening a week, from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
 

Should participants expect to have program-related work outside of sessions?
Yes, there will be reading materials and brief self-paced assignments to prepare for next sessions. There will also be optional opportunities for group discussion outside of sessions.
 

What other program activities should participants look forward to?
There will be an opening welcome reception the first night of the program, a mid-point networking event, and a closing reception at the conclusion of the program.  Other activities may be planned for the cohort.
 

What are the accommodations on campus?
Dormitory-style residences, with sleeping rooms and bathrooms (shared), and community common spaces.
 

What meals are included in the program?
Dinners are included during the weekdays and brunch during the weekend.   

What other dining options are available on campus?
Other dining optons may include R&DE operated cafés that are open during the summer.  There are also other eateries located both on campus and in the local Palo Alto community.
 

What will program participants have access to on campus?
Participants may be able to access University Libraries, campus recreational facilities, including a lap pool, lockers and gym. Borrowing and workout privileges may be arranged for a nominal fee.  Participants are also eligible to purchase residential parking permits to be able to park close to their campus residence. Review resources for campus visitors at the Stanford Visitor website.    

 

Questions? 
Email 
or call our main office between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (pacific time): 650.723.3126.StanfordPREP@stanford.edu