Introducing the Career FIT Program: Navigating Futures, Igniting Talents
Our CAREER FIT Program is a dynamic onboarding experience designed to help first-year students build a strong foundation for their college journey. Through a mix of self-discovery, career exploration, skill-building, and professional engagement, this program will equip students with the tools and confidence needed to navigate college successfully and plan for their future.
Each day features two engaging sessions focused on key aspects of personal and professional growth, including career decision-making, campus involvement, resilience, and networking with industry professionals. Students will participate in interactive discussions, hands-on activities, and direct coaching from professionals across various industries.
By the end of the program, students will have:
- A deeper understanding of their strengths, interests, and career possibilities
- Decision-making strategies to guide their academic and career choices
- Knowledge of campus employment, internships, and experiential learning opportunities
- A strong professional network, including mentors and industry professionals
- Confidence in handling setbacks and developing a growth mindset for success
- A personal roadmap for their college and career journey
Key Program Features:
1. Self-Discovery Workshops: Engage in interactive sessions to discover personal strengths, values, and interests, laying the foundation for a college experience aligned with individual aspirations.
2. Industry Immersion: Dive into various industries through curated insights, guest lectures, and real-world case studies, providing a comprehensive understanding of potential career paths. Learn more about our Career Communities.
3. Professional Networking: Connect with seasoned professionals and industry experts through networking events, fostering valuable relationships that extend beyond the program and into future career opportunities.
4. Skill Building Essentials: Equip yourself with essential skills crucial for academic and professional success, including resume building, effective communication, and LinkedIn branding.
5. Job and Internship Readiness: Receive personalized guidance on navigating the job market, preparing for internships, and leveraging part-time opportunities, ensuring participants are well-positioned for success from day one.
The Career FIT Program is not just a bridge to academic and professional excellence; it's a catalyst for discovering meaningful work and building a foundation for a rewarding future. Join us on this transformative journey as we unlock potentials, foster connections, and pave the way for a purposeful college experience.
Session 1: The Positivity Factor and your Career Advancement
- Research shows what we spend our time on becomes our reality…understanding what “meaning & purpose” are all about in the transition from the school environment to the workplace environment can help us determine a path forward for our studies, develop a stronger plan of action, and feel more confident in our decisions.
Session 2: DiscoverU!
- Take a deep dive with activities that help you understand your interests, ideas around what you value out of work, and how your personality and strengths play a role in career success.
Session 3: Professionals Panel - Impressions from the field
- Join this panel of professionals from the field as they talk about their own college experiences, advice they have to help you maximize your time and get experience, and how they made their career decisions.
Session 1: Making Informed Decisions
- How to gather and analyze information to create multiple journeys towards an academic major and career end point. You will be exposed to the most creative ways to get the right information so that you can make strong decisions quicker.
Session 2: Building Social Capital through Networking
- A panel of professionals from the field will talk about why we should care about meeting people, building a network, and the best ways to do this that works for you!
Session 1: The Recruiter Experience
- This interactive experience will require YOU to be the recruiter! As part of a small team, you will be tasked with reviewing resumes to determine which candidates to move forward in the process. This experience will help you understand how recruiters process resumes and candidates while providing you with tips and strategies to ensure you are building a strong brand at Charlotte.
Session 2: Getting HAN Ready!
- Meet staff from our Employer Engagement Team (a team of professionals whose job it is to help you connect with opportunities). They will be on hand to help you understand Hire-A-Niner and provide you with key strategies to find jobs on campus, internships in the field, and more.
Session 1: Overcoming Challenges - Failure as a Steppingstone
- Success doesn’t come without setbacks. This session will help you develop resilience by exploring how failure can be a powerful learning tool. Hear from professionals who have faced challenges and bounced back stronger. Through interactive storytelling and group discussions, you’ll gain strategies for overcoming obstacles and turning setbacks into stepping stones.
Session 2: Small Group Coaching with Industry Professionals
- Break into small groups with professionals who will help you develop strategies for handling setbacks, staying resilient, and overcoming imposter syndrome.
Building & Keeping Your Mojo – Motivation & Long-Term Success
- Stay motivated and keep your momentum going! This session focuses on building confidence, staying engaged, and setting long-term goals for success. Create a vision board, write a letter to your future self, and hear from professionals and upperclassmen who will share their best advice for navigating college and career growth. The program wraps up with a keynote speaker and networking reception.
Meet our Employer Partners!
- Final informal networking event to help you practice your new skills, meet professionals, and make your FIRST connections at UNC Charlotte.
Final Remarks
Have questions? Email Dr. Patrick Madsen at pmadsen@charlotte.edu
Summer 2025 Facilitators: Kayleigh Shryock and Caroline Rogers
*Note: the agenda might slightly change based on facilitators' availability.