Northwestern University Athletics
NU for Life Hosts Fourth Annual Professional Prep Bootcamp
8/9/2016 2:49:00 PM | General, David G. Kabiller NU for Life Program
EVANSTON, Ill. -- For the last four years, the NU For Life program has been helping Northwestern student-athletes prepare to make the jump from college to the professional world. From networking events and professional workshops to employer information sessions and alumni mentoring, student-athletes have many opportunities to enhance their professional skills and prepare for life off the field.
This summer, 18 student-athletes representing 12 sports took part in Professional Prep Bootcamp, an optional six-week summer career development program aimed at arming students with needed skills and maximizing their potential in their hunt for an internship and, eventually, a post-graduate career. This was the third-consecutive summer in which NU for Life has held Professional Prep Bootcamp.
Each week, the bootcamp focused on specific learning objectives and included at least one guest presenter discussing their experiences and offering advice:
Students noted the fourth week of the bootcamp, a session focused on elevator pitches and telling one's story as an athlete at the Salesforce offices in downtown Chicago, as a highlight. Northwestern alumnus and NU for Life advocate Ken Stolman hosted the event, gathering four of his Salesforce colleagues for a discussion panel including former NCAA Division I student-athletes from around the country. In addition, Stolman invited numerous Northwestern graduates to engage with athletes in breakout sessions following the initial panel.
This bootcamp has been a great program to jumpstart my career," said football player Jared Thomas. "I have learned how to build my resume, put together a LinkedIn profile and how to network and build my personal brand. It has been so helpful to not only learn these aspects of career development, but also apply them in real life scenarios early on in my professional life."
This summer, 18 student-athletes representing 12 sports took part in Professional Prep Bootcamp, an optional six-week summer career development program aimed at arming students with needed skills and maximizing their potential in their hunt for an internship and, eventually, a post-graduate career. This was the third-consecutive summer in which NU for Life has held Professional Prep Bootcamp.
Each week, the bootcamp focused on specific learning objectives and included at least one guest presenter discussing their experiences and offering advice:
- Week 1: Introductions, Goal-Setting, Resumes
- Guest: Tim Cronin, former executive and professional runner
- Week 2: Body Language And Power, Finding Your Passion
- Guest: Gregg Latterman, founder of Aware Records, Kellogg alumnus
- Week 3: Interviews and Telling Your Story as an Athlete
- Guests: Northwestern alumna and consultant Diane Knoepke, Football alumnus and tech professional Prince Kwateng, Men's Soccer alumnus and finance professional Michael Walbridge
- Week 4: First Impressions, Elevator Pitches (at Salesforce's Chicago office)
- Host: Ken Stolman And Salesforce Colleagues
- Week 5: Intro to Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA), Mock Interviews (at NCA)
- Guests: Associate Director Jose Santos, 9 former Northwestern athletes
- Week 6: Wrap-Up, Goal-Setting, Celebration and Closing
- Guests: Women's Swimming and Diving Alumnae Mary Kate Campbell and Chelsea Soderholm
Students noted the fourth week of the bootcamp, a session focused on elevator pitches and telling one's story as an athlete at the Salesforce offices in downtown Chicago, as a highlight. Northwestern alumnus and NU for Life advocate Ken Stolman hosted the event, gathering four of his Salesforce colleagues for a discussion panel including former NCAA Division I student-athletes from around the country. In addition, Stolman invited numerous Northwestern graduates to engage with athletes in breakout sessions following the initial panel.
This bootcamp has been a great program to jumpstart my career," said football player Jared Thomas. "I have learned how to build my resume, put together a LinkedIn profile and how to network and build my personal brand. It has been so helpful to not only learn these aspects of career development, but also apply them in real life scenarios early on in my professional life."
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