COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The University of Maryland athletics Emerging Leaders Program, in collaboration with Life Skills and Career Development department, successfully completed the inaugural term of the “InTERPship Academy” this summer. The InTERPship Academy is an innovative initiative that offers the opportunity for Maryland student-athletes to develop and gain experience in the workplace.
Led by Assistant Athletics Director for Life Skills & Career Development Dr. Sue Sherburne and Senior Associate Athletics Director/SWA/Chief of Staff Lori Ebihara along with ELP members Stephen Darville, Cody Gambler, Nick Havas, Courtney Hoffman, Kristen Lundy, Mike Sanders, Matt Smale, and Lauren Taylor, the mission of the program was to educate, develop and serve student-athletes through career and professional development opportunities.
Over 90 Maryland student-athletes applied for the InTERPShip Academy, with 20 earning spots interning in the various departments in athletics, as well as a few businesses outside of athletics.
The student-athletes went through the application process that included in-person interviews. The student-athletes worked with their departments for 20 hours per week for eight weeks.
“Sometimes it's hard to get internships because as student-athletes, our schedules are so busy,” said track and field's Dahri Jahn-Richardson, who interned with EagleStone Tax & Wealth Advisors. “This showed me what I want to do.”
They submitted their career objectives, and were placed in departments with correlation to their long-term goals.
“This was very convenient for us because it's close to come across campus while you'e juggling so many things and the department members worked with us on our busy schedules,” Quinton Jefferson of the football team said.
“I worked in the academic services department. I got a chance to assist with a seminar for our freshmen summer orientation program. I gave a lecture and had to find ways to keep the students engaged. I'd love to get into teaching, so it was a great experience to help me in the future.”
For more information on the program visit, umterps.com/interpshipacademy.
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