Penn Sport_Spring08.indd - University of Penn Athletics

Welcome to the Penn AthleticsMentoring NetworkWe are very happy to introduce the Penn Athletics Mentoring Network.For alumni, this platform will allow you to re-connect with formerteammates, meet other former Penn Athletes, and help current studentathletesfi nd internships, jobs, and advise them in their post-collegiateaspirations.For current student-athletes, this platform will help you fi ndlike-minded Penn Athletics alumni, who have been where you are todayand are willing to help you as you move forward in your professional life.To get started visitpennathletics.careercore.comthen follow the instructions in the right column of this pageWhile you watch the membership of our network grow, fi ll out your profi leand check out what else the Penn Athletics Networking site has to offer.You can post advice as well as “Roadmaps” (hypothetical plans for peerstrying to get into certain industries and careers). You can also use the“Prepare” tab at the top to fi nd valuable career planning resources.Finally, as we are in this beginning process, let us know if there is anythingabout the site or process that you think needs changes or can bebetter.If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact DonSnyder C’06 at snyderdg@upenn.edu. Current student-athletes maycontact Brad Latimer at blatimer@dolphin.upenn.edu.Getting Started At the top right, click “Not Registered” tostart the process. Fill in the fi elds of member registration,including your education and work history. Once you are into the CareerCore base,click on the “Connect” tab at the top of thepage. On this page, under “My Networks,” click“Add,” then on the search page type “PennAthletics.” It will ask you to verify your class/year Once you do this, our staff will verify thatyou are affi liated with Penn, and you willbe approved. Fill in the fi elds of Penn Network registration,including what sports you are affi liatedwith at Penn. Spread the word to your teammates,coaches, and fellow alumni! The moremembers, the more effective this programwill be.Volunteer Spotlight: Giving Isn’t Always MonetaryName: Doug Pires C’05Sport: Sprint FootballOccupation: Financial Advisor, Smith BarneyResidence: New JerseyAfter graduating, former sprint football player Doug Pires C’05 wanted a way to stay in touch with andgive back to the program, and got involved with Penn’s newly established Sport Boards. Each sport boardis designed to connect people who want to become more personally involved with their particular sportand Penn Athletics overall. Each board has three primary objectives—development, alumni relations andmentoring/networking. He has been integral in organizing the mentoring aspect of the sprint football sportboard.“When I was in school I didn’t realize how important networking was,” said Pires. “In my job, and in a lot ofother fields, the connections you have can really give you an edge. The other great thing is that it just takesa person giving their time. For recent grads who may not have a lot of money yet, it is a fantastic way to stillsupport Penn.”With the introduction of CareerCore, Penn student-athletes and alumni will have the opportunity to findone another in an exclusive and casual setting. Whether for socializing or networking, the new mediumstreamlines a process Pires was managing by hand this winter.Pires compiled a database of alumni willing to be mentors and started pairing them with current studentathletesaccording to their interests. Now with CareerCore, that process is simplified while providing moreoptions for alumni to connect not only with current student-athletes, but with one another.“I think the true strength of getting more people enrolled on CareerCore is helping alumni that are alreadyworking find that next step,” said Pires. “After all, we are all Penn grads, and by staying involved we canhelp fellow grads. Our Penn experience can last beyond the four years we were there.”