Building & Developing Trusting Relationships

Through Maryland Made’s Mentor Program, student-athletes are paired with a professional in their desired career field to assist them with career development. The program is one of many offered to student-athletes by Maryland Made, allowing them to be who they are and love what they do. 

More than 50 student-athletes are part of Maryland Made’s 2024 Mentor Program cohort. The program will focus on building and developing strong, trusting relationships between professionals and current student-athletes. It commits to providing an atmosphere dedicated to student-athletes' positive growth and professional development.

Student-athletes often balance a rigid practice and game schedule with an intense academic workload. The Mentor program targets those who struggle to find balance by being matched with mentors who have shared career interests, identities and experiences through playing sports.

Nathan Perry, a redshirt sophomore wrestler and mechanical engineering major at the University of Maryland, expressed the importance of having a mentor as a student-athlete navigating college. 

“This is an important opportunity because my major has a very broad application after graduation,” he said. “Having somebody who has been through something similar helps me discover and explore my options.”

On Sept. 25, Maryland Made hosted its Mentor program kickoff event. Mentors and mentees met in person for the first time and engaged with each other. Student-athletes, mentors, local professionals and ICA staff gathered for a 45-minute roundtable activity to aid in the first step toward professional and personal growth. 

Career and identity development is essential for college students. It’s two of Maryland Made’s three pillars (Career Readiness, Leadership Education and Identity Development). The Mentor Program is part of its identity development pillar, and it equips student-athletes with the tools and experiences necessary for a successful transition into the workforce. It helps students identify their strengths, weaknesses and interests while guiding them toward suitable career paths. 

AnnaMarie Tretola is a junior finance major on Maryland’s cross-country team. She believes having a mentor before she graduates is crucial. 

“The mentor program will help me because it will allow for guidance and support,” she said. “My mentor can provide me with personalized advice and help me navigate through transitioning from student-athlete to professional by helping me figure out career choices and job searches. Not only that, but mentors have extensive industry experience and can offer insight on what to expect in the professional world and share their experiences with me.”

Tretola is looking for a summer 2025 internship. She recognizes the importance of networking and says Maryland Made’s Mentorship Program could help her land one.  

“In the business industry, you need to be able to talk to people and network, so I have been really trying to build that skill, especially when it comes to landing an internship that I want,” Tretola said. “I am excited for the rest of the program, and I hope to gain more knowledge to help me with the rest of my internship and career search.”

Mentors are crucial in guiding student-athletes by offering support, sharing insights, and serving as a sounding board for their career aspirations and personal development. They provide constructive feedback while also exploring their mentees' passions and interests.

Student-athletes are encouraged to share their progress and reflect on the lessons learned from their mentors. In this dynamic relationship, it’s important for mentees to understand their mentor’s background and areas of expertise while remaining open to feedback.

The Mentor Program requires student-athletes to check in with their mentors at least once a month throughout the academic year. However, frequent communication beyond these minimum requirements is highly encouraged. Both mentors and mentees receive a mentorship guidebook with suggested discussion topics to facilitate meaningful conversations, though they are free to explore any areas of interest.

At the end of the year-long commitment, mentors and mentees can continue their relationship, be matched with additional partners or find interest in other Maryland Made programming. 

Perry expressed his excitement about kicking off the year-long program that will provide him with invaluable career readiness experiences. 

“I’m excited for this opportunity because I’m interested to find my possibilities and grow as a professional and as a person,” Perry said. “This should be a huge boost to my career readiness. My mentor will help me find opportunities so I can achieve my career goals and chase them.”