Northwestern University Athletics
Why Wait?: First-Year Student Athletes Build Professional I.Q.
3/27/2018 2:08:00 PM | General, David G. Kabiller NU for Life Program
EVANSTON, Ill. — When it comes to building your professional I.Q., why wait?
That was the message delivered to Wildcat first-year student-athletes this month at the annual workshop, planned and led by NU for Life Advisory Group members.
"The best part about this event is that the advisory group takes full ownership of the message and desired outcomes they believe first years should know," said Julie Hammer, Assistant Athletics Director. "This is the first year's initial formal interaction with NU for Life, and the fact that they are learning best practices and available resources from their peers makes a big difference."
Student-athletes learned the keys of résumé building, professional attire, writing professional emails, and starting professional conversations. They also had the opportunity to create a LinkedIn profile — including a station where they took a photo headshot — in order to further their professional head-start.
"I am so glad I was able to be a part of this introduction to NU for Life," said Adelle Berdichevsky, the events chair of the NU for Life Executive Board and a sophomore on the fencing team. "It is important for first-years to know all of the resources available to them that they can take advantage of when kick-starting their career development."
This is the beginning of a four-year curriculum for student-athletes through the NU for Life program. They will receive one-on-one career consulting, informational interviews, as well as access to internship and job opportunities.
"Being able to carve out a time to get started on this was so great," said first-year Lexi Pitsas (volleyball). "I really feel like I am getting a head-start on finding my future internships and future professional development.
In addition to equipping student-athletes for success on the field, Northwestern provides resources for student-athletes to thrive in the classroom and after graduation.
In the upcoming years, these first-year student-athletes will get the chance to network with professionals, will experience I-MAP — a 3-5 day immersion experience in an industry of their choice, and will have the opportunity to apply for the annual Kabiller Award, which offers standout student-athletes a $5,000 grant for use in professional development.
That was the message delivered to Wildcat first-year student-athletes this month at the annual workshop, planned and led by NU for Life Advisory Group members.
"The best part about this event is that the advisory group takes full ownership of the message and desired outcomes they believe first years should know," said Julie Hammer, Assistant Athletics Director. "This is the first year's initial formal interaction with NU for Life, and the fact that they are learning best practices and available resources from their peers makes a big difference."
Student-athletes learned the keys of résumé building, professional attire, writing professional emails, and starting professional conversations. They also had the opportunity to create a LinkedIn profile — including a station where they took a photo headshot — in order to further their professional head-start.
"I am so glad I was able to be a part of this introduction to NU for Life," said Adelle Berdichevsky, the events chair of the NU for Life Executive Board and a sophomore on the fencing team. "It is important for first-years to know all of the resources available to them that they can take advantage of when kick-starting their career development."
This is the beginning of a four-year curriculum for student-athletes through the NU for Life program. They will receive one-on-one career consulting, informational interviews, as well as access to internship and job opportunities.
"Being able to carve out a time to get started on this was so great," said first-year Lexi Pitsas (volleyball). "I really feel like I am getting a head-start on finding my future internships and future professional development.
In addition to equipping student-athletes for success on the field, Northwestern provides resources for student-athletes to thrive in the classroom and after graduation.
In the upcoming years, these first-year student-athletes will get the chance to network with professionals, will experience I-MAP — a 3-5 day immersion experience in an industry of their choice, and will have the opportunity to apply for the annual Kabiller Award, which offers standout student-athletes a $5,000 grant for use in professional development.
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