Sophomore Experience

The Sophomore Experience is a curated, year-long journey for second-year Cornell Engineering undergraduates. Built around the themes of agency, connection, purpose, and curiosity, the program is designed to support you academically, socially, and professionally — while reigniting the excitement that brought you to Cornell Engineering in the first place.
Students outside Duffield Hall in fall.
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The Sophomore Experience helps you reflect, regroup, and move forward with confidence. You will build community with your peers, develop essential skills for your future, and reconnect with your sense of purpose.

Sophomore Day

The Sophomore Day fosters meaningful connections through shared experiences, bringing students together for experiential learning, meals, and collaborative team challenges that inspire lasting relationships while nurturing individual growth and purpose. It’s held In fall, on two alternative dates to give scheduling flexibility, and all second year Cornell Engineers are expected to attend.

The Fall 2025 Sophomore Day was held on Sunday, September 14 and Saturday, September 20.  Students will be contacted in late summer 2026 to register for the 2026 Fall Sophomore Day.

It contains three components:

Students in Cornell apparel on the Engineering Quad.

  • Skill Building for Career Readiness

    Designed by the Selander Center for Engineering Leadership, you will work in small groups to hone crucial skills that are fundamental to collaboration, critical reasoning, influence and persuasion, and courageous followership.

  • Community Lunch

    Over a casual meal, you will build on connections you created in the morning workshop.

  • Team Adventure Challenge

    Your learnings from the morning workshop will be put to the test in this friendly competition. Working in smaller teams, you will stretch your problem-solving, cooperation, and creative thinking abilities.

Upcoming Events

  • Power Up Your Network: Peer-to-Peer Connections

    Wednesday, October 22, 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

    Registration is required.

    Join us for an exciting networking event designed exclusively for Cornell Engineering Sophomores! Connect with juniors and seniors who have valuable experience in research, internships, and hands-on projects. This is a unique chance to build your professional network, hear real stories and advice, and gain insights that can help you navigate your next steps–both academically and professionally.

  • Engineering Research Open House

    Saturday, October 25, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
    Registration opens mid-October.

    Open to all Cornell Engineering students, this event offers a behind-the-scenes look at cutting-edge research through lab tours, faculty and graduate student-led sessions, and interactive discussions. Discover how you can get involved in research and explore the innovative work happening across the College. Attend one session or stay for the afternoon—it’s up to you! The Open House is a part of a series of research events offered by the Office of Inclusive Excellence and the Rising Researchers Program. Participation in Rising Researchers is not required to attend this event.

Career Development

Your Sophomore Experience includes career programming that is designed to grow with you. Whether you’re unsure of your path or ready to dive deeper into a specific field, there are opportunities for exploration and preparation.

  • Students catch up and study between classes in the Duffield atrium.

    Power Up Your Network: Peer-to-Peer Connections

    These small-group experiences, led by trained upper-level students, help you become more confident in sharing your story and asking meaningful questions in a low stakes environment. Through guided practice and feedback, you’ll develop the essential networking skills needed to engage authentically with employers and industry professionals at career events and beyond.

  • The 2014 School of Hotel Administration (SHA) Career Day.

    Sophomore Networking with Employers

    Coinciding with the Spring Cornell Career Fair, Sophomore Networking with Employers are large-scale events that bring together students, alumni, and employers for conversations about skills, experiences, and opportunities—whether you already have an internship lined up or are just starting your search. Sophomores are strongly encouraged to participate in a Power Up Your Network session to prepare.

    The Sophomore Experience also includes career-related classroom visits, major- and field-specific industry events, and smaller employer meetups — each designed to help you build connections and see the range of possibilities that lie ahead.

  • Enjoying the sun on a Spring day next to Olin library

    Career Advising

    Professional career advisors are available to guide Engineering students in their career exploration and internship search, while student Peer Advisors offer help with resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and practice interviews.

Engineering Resources for Sophomore Success

Experiential Learning for Engineering Sophomores

Experiential learning is a core philosophy of our engineering education—one that emphasizes active participation, critical reflection, and the real-world application of knowledge. For sophomores, this approach means learning by doing, making connections across disciplines, and gaining the confidence to solve complex challenges. Through a variety of hands-on opportunities, students not only reinforce technical skills but also grow as thoughtful, adaptive, and innovative engineers.

  • SoNIC students work on building a robotic prototype in Upson Hall.

    Student Project Teams

    Join interdisciplinary teams where students collaborate on real-world challenges—from sustainable design to robotics competitions. These hands-on projects cultivate teamwork, technical expertise, and creative problem-solving in a dynamic, supportive setting.

  • Tang Hall with fall foliage.

    Undergraduate Research

    Engage with groundbreaking research led by faculty across a range of fields. Whether exploring renewable energy or developing next-gen materials, students gain firsthand experience with the scientific process and contribute to meaningful discoveries.

  • Mike Kotlikiff and Wendy Wolford tour International Fair. The event showcases Cornell's global opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Explore the fair and find out about international majors and minors, language study, study abroad, funding opportunities, global internships, Cornell Global Hubs, and more.

    International Experiences

    Take your education global through study abroad programs, international design collaborations, or overseas internships. These immersive experiences build cross-cultural competence and broaden your view of engineering’s global role.

  • Female student smiling during an event indoors

    Peer Education Opportunities

    Enhance your leadership and communication skills while supporting your peers. As tutors, AEW Facilitators, 1050 peer advisors, mentors, or lab assistants, peer educators foster a collaborative learning culture and gain valuable teaching experience.

  • Major-Affiliated Student Organizations

    Connect with fellow students and professionals in your field through organizations aligned with your major. These groups host events, competitions, and service projects that strengthen your academic and career journey.

Cornell Engineering faculty and staff are excited to support you on your journey — because your sophomore year is not just about getting through. It’s about building what’s comes next.

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