A major focus of the Illini Life Skills Program is preparing our student-athletes for life after college and the end of their intercollegiate athletic careers. The Athletic Career Services Program is designed to work closely with the university's Career Center to provide workshops to educate student-athletes about the job search process, provide networking opportunities, and to assist with job placement. Student-athletes are encouraged to participate as early as in their freshmen year in self-exploration workshops about career choices and to help them in choosing a major. Our goal is to help our student-athletes develop into individuals who will have rewarding careers and productive lives after they leave the University of Illinois.
Career workshop topics have included the following:
- Career Awareness
- Resume Preparation
- Interview Skills Training
- Job Search Skills
- Career Networking
- Career Exploration Opportunities
- Business Etiquette
- Graduate School
- Life After Sports
- Graduate School
Student-Athlete Resume Portfolio - The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics annually publishes the University of Illinois Student-Athlete Resume Portfolio, a collection of resumes submitted by our student-athletes. These professional profiles are distributed to companies and agencies that actively recruit at the University of Illinois.
Career Fair - Each year Athletic Career Services hosts a career fair that provides student-athletes direct contact with employment recruiters who are looking to fill full-time, part-time, summer and internship positions.
Job Corps -The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics has created opportunities for fifth-year student-athletes who have exhausted their athletic eligibility to continue their involvement in intercollegiate athletics through its Job Corp program. Student-athletes are assigned to special projects assisting the various departments within the DIA that allows them increased exposure to a work environment.
NCAA Career Coach
COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY SERVICE
Serving the community is another focus of the Illini Life Skills Program. Student-athletes are provided with an opportunity to serve our community and individuals who are in need through various projects. We hope to develop in them an appreciation for and a lifelong commitment to serving others.
Student-Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB)
- This active organization consists of two student-athletes from each of the nineteen varsity athletic teams at the University of Illinois. The goals of the Student-Athlete Advisory Board include providing input on NCAA, Big Ten and University of Illinois policies regarding the welfare of student-athletes in the following ways:
- Providing recommendations on how to improve student life within the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics.
- Meet, if necessary, with campus leaders on issues affecting students and community projects
- Represent the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics at various functions
The Student-Athlete Advisory Board has also taken a leadership role in organizing community service projects, such as the annual SAAB Clothing Drive and Fall Fun Fest.
Hometown Heroes - Hometown Heroes is a community outreach program that provides our student-athletes with opportunities to interact with youth from Champaign County while spreading a anti-drug, anti-gang and pro-Illini message. This program enables our student-athletes to develop their speaking skills while impacting the lives of others as they serve as role models for the youth of our community.
Reading Illini - This new outreach program, is designed to put our student-athletes in a position where they can promote the importance of education, and literacy in particular. Students-athletes work with elementary students one-one-one or in small groups, readings books, playing word games with a goal of helping students improving their reading skills and vocabulary in a positive, fun environment.
ILLINOIS LAUDED FOR CHAMPS PROGRAM
The 1A Athletic Directors' Association has named the University of Illinois as recipient of the CHAMPS Program of Excellence Award for 2005-06. A "Program of Excellence" is, in essence, a lifetime award designed to recognize Division 1A athletics programs that have established student-athlete welfare as the
cornerstone of their operating principles.
"This is a terrific honor for the University of Illinois," said UI Director of Athletics Ron Guenther. "We put a lot of emphasis on developing the total student-athlete, and this is evidence that our energies are paying off. Our Academic Services staff, including Kathy Kaler and Tom Michael should be commended for their outstanding work with the program. Our coaching staff has bought into the program and has given it great support. We hope our program continues to grow." The CHAMPS/Life Skills program focuses on five commitments that each Division 1A program is making in the growth and development of student-athletes.
All University of Illinois student-athletes participate in the Douglas C. Roberts CHAMPS/Life Skills program. CHAMPS, which stands for CHallenging Athletic Minds for Personal Success, is designed by the NCAA to develop the student-athlete as a whole. It concentrates on five areas - academic excellence, athletic excellence, personal development, career development, and community service.
