ABOUT US
Redefining Career Consulting Through Mentorship
The Career and Industry Consulting Association (CICA) was founded on a strong belief that students should not have to navigate their career journeys alone. At the University of Minnesota, we set out to build a peer-to-peer consulting network where students could learn from one another through shared academic and professional experience.
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CICA aimed to bridge the gap between education and real-world preparation by promoting mentorship grounded in perspective, accessibility, and community. Whether students were exploring career paths, preparing for internships, or seeking direction, our vision was to make support more approachable and relevant.
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Although CICA is no longer active, its mission remains relevant. It represents the value of student-led action and the importance of building spaces where support, ambition, and initiative can grow.
President’s Statement on CICA’s Final Chapter
The Career and Industry Consulting Association was founded with a bold and clear purpose. In a time of evolving career landscapes and increasing uncertainty for students, we aimed to build the most accessible peer-to-peer mentorship network at the University of Minnesota. We believed that guidance should be rooted in shared experience, and that students could be among the most powerful sources of support for one another.
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From the beginning, CICA was driven by a mission to uplift, connect, and empower. We developed a strong brand, built systems to support our goals, and welcomed students who wanted to be part of something greater than themselves. Every element was created with intention, from our mentorship framework to our commitment to accessibility and inclusion.
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As time went on, we encountered challenges that made it difficult to scale in the way we had hoped. After thoughtful consideration, we made the decision to close this chapter with clarity and respect for everything that went into it. The decision reflects a recognition of where we are, and an understanding of what it takes to build something truly sustainable.
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This conclusion does not take away from the purpose that guided CICA or the dedication behind it. The experience of building CICA offered valuable perspective into leadership, initiative, and the realities of launching a student-led organization. These takeaways will continue to shape future projects in ways that matter.
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To those who applied, supported, or followed our journey, thank you. Your interest and belief in the mission helped carry it forward, and we are grateful for your support.
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While CICA’s operations are coming to a close, its mission to make mentorship more accessible remains as relevant as ever. We are proud of the work we set out to do and look forward to where these lessons lead next.
Address
101 Pleasant St. S.E. Minneapolis MN 55455