Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/103482
PERSONAL NOTES ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// DP2's Career Connections program was created to help athletes focus on career preparation skills and to connect student-athletes to alumni and employers earlier in their college careers. The program is a cooperative effort with the Office of Career Services, which has helped to create opportunities for programming at times and locations that work best for athletes. BRIAN CONROY '93 DONNIE BROOKS Asst. AD for Peak Performance In the Fall, the Career Connections program hosted seven information sessions which included non-profit, for-profit, and service organizations interested in recruiting student-athletes. The opportunity to recruit undergraduate students with experience achieving goals as a team, time management skills, and leadership positions were just a few reasons employers sought participation in the programs. "Our organization values the leadership qualities exhibited by athletes and the critical thinking skills developed in a Liberal Arts curriculum," says Brian Morrissey of Suffolk Construction. Based in Boston, Suffolk is one of the nations leading construction management firms and recently completed work on Dartmouth's new Black Family Visual Arts Center. This fall, DP2 hosted its first Networking Fair. Juniors and seniors were invited to get a jump-start on the job and internship recruiting process. Seven employers, including Amazon, CIA, NBC Sports, Hillstone Restaurant Group, Wayfair, IMS Consulting and the Peace Corps, attended in hopes of meeting Dartmouth Athletes who could fill roles on their teams. "Events such as the DP2 Networking Fair, where the focus is on networking, are important as we aim to expose students to potential employers they may not consider if the focus was on resume collection. The event also allows employers to broaden the pool of potential candidates for both internship and entry-level jobs," says Kate Yee, Assistant Director of Career Services. Over 80 student-athletes attended the speeddating-style event. Athletes spent the first hour meeting in groups with each company. The second hour was allotted for athletes to network with the employers of their choice. 28 PE AK | WINTER 2 013 The Career Connections program strives to help athletes build awareness around a variety of industries. "The diversity of employers we invite ensures that we are providing networking opportunities for the wide variety of majors and interest of our student-athletes," says Donnie Brooks, Assistant AD for Peak Performance. Student-athletes have had a great response to the new programs. "The info sessions, fairs, and access to alumni have been great for myself and other seniors who are still trying to decide what they want to do," says Faziah Steen '13, Women's Basketball Captain. Career Connections is another DP2 resource our coaches can sell out on the recruiting trails. "Dartmouth is not just an education, it is a life-long experience. DP2 and the career programming help to substantiate their connection and are proof that the Dartmouth experience goes beyond the classroom, the court or the library," says Chris Weilgus, Women's Basketball Coach. Many alumni are currently helping our athletes chase their dreams. Brian Conroy '93, our fall keynote speaker, recently addressed athletes about the "Secrets to Success." "I believe it is my responsibility as an alumnus to give back and I really am enjoying working with our studentathletes. I get inspired by the proactive attitudes of Dartmouth athletes and I am excited to connect them to the right people that will help them pursue their dreams." As the program continues to grow we will need the help of our alumni. If you or your organization would be interested in recruiting Dartmouth athletes, please contact Donnie Brooks to talk about opportunities available throughout the year. We are always looking for alumni who could provide education on their respective fields, potential leads, meaningful advice, feedback and support as our students begin their career search process. We invite you to take this brief 3-minute survey, where your contact information will be placed in our database for current athletes to access alumni who work in their fields of interest.