University of Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee S-A Dev Launches Prepared Professionals Series
November 02, 2020 | General
Valuable virtual programming offered by UT's Student-Athlete Development staff
Tennessee's Student-Athlete Development team has taken a new approach to programming and initiatives this year due to the unprecedented circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
The department is getting creative by "going virtual" with much of its career and professional development programs and events. In order to best prepare Tennessee student-athletes for life after sport, the Student-Athlete Development team has revved up a Prepared Professionals Series. This series focuses on the eight competencies that are associated with career readiness according to the National Associate of College and Employers (NACE).
This new, eight-part series is taking place during the fall and spring semesters through hour-long interactive workshops focusing on specific competencies that will help Vols and Lady Vols develop strategies and tactics that will better prepare them for entry into the workforce.
"Career and professional development is one area our team is continuing to find ways to enhance," Coordinator for Student-Athlete Development Erin Holland said. "We want to ensure our student-athletes are gaining experiences to be prepared for the next step of life, no matter if it is entering the work force, continuing their education or playing professionally."
Student-athletes often possess intangible skills that set them apart from their peers, and understanding how to deploy those skills most effectively in a professional setting is a primary focus of Tennessee's Prepared Professionals Series.
Additionally, Tennessee's Student-Athlete Development team hosted its first-ever virtual job and internship fair this fall. Tennessee is focused on tapping into new resources to best serve its student-athletes and ensure they are equipped to be successful in professional settings. The virtual job and internship fair consisted of approximately 30 employers representing various industries nationwide.
The virtual job and internship fair offered more than 100 student-athletes an opportunity to learn more about the operations of various companies, to understand what employers are looking for when seeking candidates and expose them to future job and internship opportunities.
"The Student-Athlete Development team is another huge resource that student athletes are given here at Tennessee," men's swimmer Parker Kaye said. "They help us get in touch with potential employers and look for ways to give us incredible opportunities straight out of college. I am very thankful for the experiences that I have had with student-athlete development and all of the assistance that the team has provided me in planning for life after college."
In a further expansion into virtual settings, Tennessee's Student-Athlete Development team also plans to connect with VFLs across the nation who are excelling in their professions by hosting VFL Career Chats this coming spring. The career chats will be an excellent way to conversationally connect with alumni and allow them to share how their student-athlete experiences at UT prepared them for their respective career fields. These VFL Career Chat opportunities will allow current student-athletes to gain valuable insight while expanding their personal network.Â
"Being involved in Student-Athlete Development programming has helped me grow as a leader on and off the court," Lady Vols basketball player Tamari Key said. "I love being able to create friendships with other student-athletes, as well as have a voice for my team within athletics."
Heading into the spring semester, the Student-Athlete Development staff is working to utilize the virtual setting beyond career and professional development programming and into other focus areas of diversity and inclusion, community outreach and leadership development.Â
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The department is getting creative by "going virtual" with much of its career and professional development programs and events. In order to best prepare Tennessee student-athletes for life after sport, the Student-Athlete Development team has revved up a Prepared Professionals Series. This series focuses on the eight competencies that are associated with career readiness according to the National Associate of College and Employers (NACE).
- Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
- Oral/Written Communication
- Teamwork/Collaboration
- Digital Technology
- Leadership
- Professionalism/Work Ethic
- Career Management
- Global/Intercultural Fluency
This new, eight-part series is taking place during the fall and spring semesters through hour-long interactive workshops focusing on specific competencies that will help Vols and Lady Vols develop strategies and tactics that will better prepare them for entry into the workforce.
"Career and professional development is one area our team is continuing to find ways to enhance," Coordinator for Student-Athlete Development Erin Holland said. "We want to ensure our student-athletes are gaining experiences to be prepared for the next step of life, no matter if it is entering the work force, continuing their education or playing professionally."
Student-athletes often possess intangible skills that set them apart from their peers, and understanding how to deploy those skills most effectively in a professional setting is a primary focus of Tennessee's Prepared Professionals Series.
Additionally, Tennessee's Student-Athlete Development team hosted its first-ever virtual job and internship fair this fall. Tennessee is focused on tapping into new resources to best serve its student-athletes and ensure they are equipped to be successful in professional settings. The virtual job and internship fair consisted of approximately 30 employers representing various industries nationwide.
The virtual job and internship fair offered more than 100 student-athletes an opportunity to learn more about the operations of various companies, to understand what employers are looking for when seeking candidates and expose them to future job and internship opportunities.
"The Student-Athlete Development team is another huge resource that student athletes are given here at Tennessee," men's swimmer Parker Kaye said. "They help us get in touch with potential employers and look for ways to give us incredible opportunities straight out of college. I am very thankful for the experiences that I have had with student-athlete development and all of the assistance that the team has provided me in planning for life after college."
In a further expansion into virtual settings, Tennessee's Student-Athlete Development team also plans to connect with VFLs across the nation who are excelling in their professions by hosting VFL Career Chats this coming spring. The career chats will be an excellent way to conversationally connect with alumni and allow them to share how their student-athlete experiences at UT prepared them for their respective career fields. These VFL Career Chat opportunities will allow current student-athletes to gain valuable insight while expanding their personal network.Â
"Being involved in Student-Athlete Development programming has helped me grow as a leader on and off the court," Lady Vols basketball player Tamari Key said. "I love being able to create friendships with other student-athletes, as well as have a voice for my team within athletics."
Heading into the spring semester, the Student-Athlete Development staff is working to utilize the virtual setting beyond career and professional development programming and into other focus areas of diversity and inclusion, community outreach and leadership development.Â
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