Covenant Career Accelerator Program
Covenant Career Accelerator Program
Could you use support in identifying and moving towards your career goals? Are you at the very beginning of your career development journey? Never had an interview or learned how to network? Wondering how to gain experience and build a resume? Are you curious about what Career Development even is or why it matters?
If you answered yes to any of the above, you’re exactly who we’re looking for in a Covenant Career Accelerator. From identifying initial opportunities and short-term objectives, to designing an action plan to achieve your long-term career goals we’ll be with you every step of the way. It’s okay if you’re not sure what your career goals are yet – we’ll help you figure that out too.
The Career Accelerator Program (CAP) is a structured pathway and community for students seeking individualized support on their professional development journey. Created to address the unique needs and questions, strengths and talents, and experiences and identities of Covenant Scholars, the Career Accelerator Program works to ensure Covenant Scholars have the same access to professional networks and skill preparation as their wealthier peers. Grounded in theory and bolstered by a network of support, CAP is a structured professional development experience where scholars will participate in campus-wide and Covenant-specific professional development to increase their performance and success across various job markets.
A Note from Jessie- Assistant Director for Career Development and Outcomes:
Career and Professional Development doesn’t have to be scary – you’re already doing it! Choosing a college, a major, a topic for a research project, or going to office hours, meeting your classmates, joining a club are all examples of professional development. Part of professional development is learning how to describe your interests, skills, and experiences, like the ones above, in a compelling way and knowing who to ask when you don’t have all the answers. CAP will help you see the importance of professional development as an ongoing process, while making it accessible with high-impact opportunities right here on campus. I’ll be with you every step of the way if you ever feel nervous or have questions. If you’re at all interested, make an appointment with me to learn more, have some of those initial questions answered, and see if the Career Accelerator Program is a good fit for you.
Covenant Scholars Networking Around Campus
CAP will help you find clarity on your career goals, learn to seek out high-impact opportunities, and to help you put language to the things you’re already doing.
Learn what other students like about CAP
You MUST be:
- A Covenant Scholar
- Interested in investing in your future career endeavors
You MIGHT be someone who:
- Has never had a job or internship
- Needs to make a resume or LinkedIn for the first time
- Wants to be connected to a growing network of students and campus partners
- Is looking for a roadmap towards their career goals
- Needs help defining their career goals
- Wants to make the most of the professional development resources on campus
Over the course of the academic year, CAP will provide a structured pathway for completing the below requirements:
- Attend the Kick-Off Meeting on September 19th
- Attend 2 individual Coaching Appointments with the Assistant Director for Career Development and Outcomes
- Complete the Focus 2 Assessment & Reflection
- Participate in the Covenant Mentor Program
- Undergo a Mock Interview
- Draft and refine professional materials including resumes and LinkedIn profiles
- Complete a qualifying Contributing Learning Experience
- Complete a qualifying Observing Learning Experience
- Complete your Professional Network Planner
- Create a personalized Career Action Plan
- Write an Annual Reflection
Scholars who participate in CAP will gain career readiness competencies, grow their professional network, and increase their understanding of their own professional identities and goals, thus better situating them for professional success. Additionally, scholars who complete CAP in its entirety (see So What Do I Have To Do?) will receive the below:
- Digital Certificate of Completion
- Digital Badge for LinkedIn that communicates your commitment to professional development and your completion of the program
- 1 year membership to the General Alumni Association, which provides ongoing, unlimited career coaching support and locks you in to a low membership rate for up to 3 years (the first being funded by the Covenant)
- Language for communicating CAP on resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn, and in interviews
- Access to a robust network of collaboration and support:
- Covenant mentorship and events
- Network of allies in positions of leadership and influence
- LinkedIn group of Covenant Scholars and alumni (currently in development)
- Community building with other Accelerators
- Eligibility for Carolina Covenant Professional Development Grants, which provide funding to make unpaid or under-paid opportunities feasible for Covenant Scholars
If any part of the above has piqued your curiosity or inspired you to get involved, please reach out to Jessie Durham-Nash, Assistant Director for Career Development and Outcomes, to learn more and sign up. Meeting with Jessie does not mean you have to get involved, it’s just the best way to have your questions answered and figure out if CAP is right for you – no strings attached!
You do not need to have any professional development experience to sign up – in fact, students who have little to no experience will benefit most from the Career Accelerator Program.
Ready to sign up?
Sign-ups for the 23-24 year have closed. Keep an eye on the eblasts in August ’24 for next year’s sign-ups!
Need support before then? You are still welcome to meet with Jessie for individual coaching at any time.
“The Career Accelerator Program affirmed that I really want to become a clinician. The way I was able to volunteer at events and network with those already in the field helped me realize that this is where I’m meant to be.” -Alex Acosta, ’24
“The amount of knowledge I’ve gained about banking and credit is so valuable, and I can truly see myself working here full-time if I receive an offer at the end of this summer.” – Saniyya Adams, ‘23
Pictured is Saniyya Adams (right) with her colleagues during her summer internship at Bank of America. Saniyya received an offer to return full time as an Enterprise Credit Analyst, a role she accepted and started after graduation.
“The Career Accelerator Program gave me the means to sustain myself while conducting my research. It’s given me the opportunity to travel and network that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I never had much networking experience prior to the Career Accelerator Program. Last summer really pushed me to meet a lot of new people who specialize in the areas that I’m interested in for my research and future career. It’s definitely improved my communications skills, and I think it’s made me a better person in general.” – Sonny Griffith, ‘23