Student Welfare and Career Development: Terrapin CupCareer Development
The Department of Athletics is committed to providing Maryland student-athletes with an innovative and comprehensive career development program with the primary goal of best preparing them for life after Maryland and a competitive job market. The SWCD program has partnered with the University of Maryland's award winning Career Center to provide a directed four (4) year career development program for student-athletes that are broken down by class standing - freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior. Such a highly focused and innovative career program will equip Maryland student-athletes the skill-sets and knowledge necessary for a lifelong process of self-directed career management. Programming will focus on four (4) phases:
Phase I: Assessment
Self-assessment and prioritization of core values
Exploration of potential career/industry choices, targeting potential companies
Analyzing Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) as related to potential career choices
Phase II: Preparation
Developing a resume and cover letter
Networking and building professional relationships
Phase III: Action
Internship search techniques
Job search techniques
Start thinking about applying
Phase IV: Transition
Evaluating available options
Making the transition from university to the employment
As previously stated, the SWCD program has partnered with the University of Maryland Career Center to offer a four (4) year career development program which literally begins on the first day a student-athlete steps onto the Maryland campus as an incoming freshman or transfer.
Freshman Year
It is very important to start the career development phase of programming during student-athletes first or freshman year on the Maryland campus. It will be important for student-athletes to identify all of their potential career interests which can have a direct impact on appropriate majors to consider, directing their career exploration while moving along in the process of ultimately accepting a job upon graduation. All incoming freshmen student-athletes are required to enroll in a UNIV100 class during their first fall semester on campus. SWCD staff will present to student-athletes in the various section of UNIV100 personality and career assessments while taking them over to the Career Center to learn further about the services that are provided to them. During the following spring semester, freshmen will be encouraged to attend the Student-Athlete Career & Internship Fair to observe first-hand what occurs at these types of networking events.
Program 1: UNIV100 Personality and Career Assessment, Visit to the Career Center
SWCD staff will coordinate with UNIV100 instructors to visit with the student-athletes while taking them over to the Career Center for an on-sight visit.
Program 2: Student-Athlete Career & Internship Fair
Freshmen will be invited to observe in order to better understand how and why networking is important. Date: March 6, 2013 Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm Location: The Pavilion, Comcast Center Sophomore Year
Building on the first phase and during a student-athlete's second or sophomore year on the University of Maryland campus the preparation phase will begin. It will be important that student-athletes research as much as they can about potential career fields/occupations in order to determine what might be a good fit with interest, ability and skill-sets, and personality to name a few. The programming during this phase will focus specifically on assisting student-athletes in determining what will be a good career fit. Events will be a mixture of career and personal development workshops, networking events, and career fairs.
Program 3: Backpack to Briefcase (Series 1)
The first session in a three session series where student-athletes will rotate from stations covering resume building, social image and personal branding, and the benefits of LinkedIn. Date: September 11, 2012 Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm Location: Lobby Suites, Comcast Center
Program 4: Backpack to Briefcase (Series 2)
This session is the second of three where student-athletes will have their resumes critiqued by business professionals, learn how to effectively search for jobs, and learning more about available campus resources. Date: February 6, 2013 Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm Location: Heritage Hall, Comcast Center
Program 5: Effective Networking
Student-athletes will have an opportunity to network with available business professionals and potential employers in an event sponsored by the University of Maryland M-Club. All participants will be Maryland Alum and M-Club members. Date: February 27, 2013 Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm Location: Heritage Hall, Comcast Center
Program 6: Student-Athlete Career Fair
A career fair for student-athletes only will provide an opportunity for student-athletes to network with potential employers. Date: March 6, 2013 Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm Location: Heritage Hall, Comcast Center
Junior Year
Building on the first two phases of the career development plan, the third phase or "act" phase will enable student-athletes to gain valuable experiences in career-related positions. The utilization of internships will be a valuable tool allowing student-athletes to apply what they have learned in the classroom to the workplace. Student-athletes will be able to continue their networking strategies while gaining valuable work experience and building confidence. SWCD staff will assist student-athletes in seeking out and securing internships that work well with their academic and athletic schedules.
Program 7: Backpack to Briefcase Series
The first of three sessions for junior student-athletes will focus on a continuation of resume development, personal branding, and LindekIn. Date: September 11, 2012 Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm Location: Lobby Suites, Comcast Center
Program 8: Employer Networking Event
Student-athletes will be provided an opportunity to network with literally hundreds of potential employers as part of the University of Maryland Career Center fall Career Fair. Date: September 20, 2012 Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm Location: Heritage Hall, Comcast Center
Program 9: Effective Networking
A networking event for student-athletes of junior standing, sponsored by the M-Club, providing a high level of interaction between student-athletes and potential employers. Date: November 6, 2012 Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm Location: Heritage Hall, Comcast Center
Program 10: Backpack to Briefcase Series
Student-athletes will be able to choose between two sessions focusing on resume critiquing, how to complete a successful job search, and career center resources or a session devoted to tips on interviewing while providing mock interviews. Date: February 6, 2013 Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm Location: Heritage Hall, Comcast Center
Program 11: Effective Networking #2
A continued effort to provide networking opportunities for our student-athletes to seek out internships and learn more about available career opportunities. This even will be sponsored by the University of Maryland M-Club. Date: February 27, 2012 Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm Location: Heritage Hall, Comcast Center
Program 12: Student-Athlete Career Fair
An opportunity for student-athletes to meet with prospective employers in order to secure internships or future employment. Date: March 6, 2013 Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm Location: Heritage Hall, Comcast Center
Senior Year
The focus on our student-athletes entering their senior year is to build on the first three years of the career development program in order to best prepare then to secure a job after graduation. Maryland student-athletes should look to begin finalizing their resume while continuing to network as much as they can and attend as many career firs as possible. It's now time to find a job and to begin the transition from university to the "real" world.
Program 13: Backpack to Briefcase Series
This session of the backpack to briefcase series will focus on finalizing a resume while fine-tuning personal branding strategies. Date: September 11, 2012 Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm Location: Lobby Suites, Comcast Center
Program 14: Fall Internship & Career Fair
The SWCD staff will work closely with the Maryland Career Center staff to provide student-athletes with an opportunity to attend the 3-day career fair in the Comcast Center. Senior student-athletes will have additional opportunities to utilize their networking skills. Date: September 19-21, 2012 Time: 12:00pm-5:00pm (daily) Location: Comcast Center Main Floor
Program 15: Employer Networking Event
SWCD staff will provide an evening of networking opportunities for senior student-athletes to continue to seek out internship of career opportunities. Date: September 20, 2012 Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm Location: Heritage Hall, Comcast Center
Program 16: Networking Event
A networking event, sponsored by the University of Maryland's M-Club, to provide senior student-athletes with additional opportunities to secure internships or career opportunities. Date: November 6, 2012 Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm Location: Heritage Hall, Comcast Center
Program 17: Backpack to Briefcase Series
Student-athletes will be able to choose between two sessions focusing on resume critiquing, how to complete a successful job search, and career center resources or a session devoted to tips on interviewing while providing mock interviews. Date: February 6, 2013 Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm Location: Heritage Hall, Comcast Center
Program 18: Networking Event
A networking event, sponsored by the University of Maryland's M-Club, to provide senior student-athletes with additional opportunities to secure internships or career opportunities. Date: February 27, 2013 Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm Location: Heritage Hall, Comcast Center
Program 19: Student-Athlete Career Fair
An opportunity for student-athletes to meet with prospective employers in order to secure internships or future employment. Date: March 6, 2013 Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm Location: Heritage Hall, Comcast Center
Program 20: Spring Internship & Career Fair
The SWCD staff will work in conjunction with the Maryland Career Center staff in offering a final opportunity for seniors to network on campus while attempting to find an internship or career opportunity. Date: TBD Time: TBD Location: TBD
