1. Home ›
  2. Information For ›
  3. Student Athletes

Student Athletes

Student-athletes face unique challenges when it comes to discerning their major, discovering their "why," accessing resources, exploring experiential opportunities that fit their busy schedule, and determining fulfilling first-steps post-graduation. To help student-athletes navigate this journey, they not only have access to all of the resources available through the Meruelo Family Center for Career Development — they also have a dedicated career counselor in James Biddick, Student-Athlete Career Development Program Manager. 

Individualized Services for Student-Athletes

As your first point of contact we can discuss all things career-related including: 

  • Discernment - explore you and your values, interests, personality and skills!
  • Preliminary exploration of industries
  • Finding and applying for internships and jobs
  • Building your Handshake profile
  • Creating a resume and Linkedin profile
  • Mock interviewing
  • Networking and informational interview
  • Navigating the Meruelo Family Center for Career Development's website and countless resources
  • Connecting student-athletes with other career counselors who specialize in specific industries as they focus in on their career trajectory e.g. Finance, Consulting, Healthcare, Entertainment, etc.

In addition to these traditional career services offered, find support for the development of resources, events, initiatives and opportunities specifically for the student-athlete population, such as: networking events, employer visits to campus, team workshops, the Student-Athlete Career Fair and prep session and the Regional Internship & Career Fair.  

Schedule a Student-Athlete appointment through your Handshake account.  

The Overtime Program

During the annual career survey completed by our student-athlete population, a staggering 92% said they experienced a barrier to engage in experiential learning.  To assist in overcoming these barriers the Overtime Program was created. Highlights of the program include:

  • Open to ALL student-athletes, all years and majors who have limited time during the summer period and are unable to participate in a traditional 8-12 week internships, but still want to gain valuable experience
  • Partnerships with alumni and employers to offer short-term, uniquely created, experiential learning opportunities that are tailored toward the individual's interests and availability 
  • Opportunities can be developed nationwide, in your home city and locally here in the Notre Dame region
  • Meet with James to discuss how you can be involved in the program!
Fighting Irish In Healthcare Logo Concept Revised

Fighting Irish In Healthcare

Navigating athletics and academics can be challenging enough. When you factor in the additional requirements for those pursuing med-school or careers in the healthcare industry, the journey can feel overwhelming. Taking all of this into account, a community is being established to help support these exceptional students throughout their journey – Fighting Irish In Healthcare!

Mission Statement

“To create a collaborative community of current and former Notre Dame student-athletes pursuing careers in healthcare to connect, educate, and mentor current student-athletes through both on- and off-campus resources to overcome barriers and support their unique needs in this pursuit.”

Goals

  • Foster a community for discussing experiences, personal challenges, and recommendations regarding pursuing a career in healthcare as a student-athlete.
  • Brand the student-athlete experience into an advantageous edge.
  • Connect student-athletes to pre-existing campus resources and advisors.
  • Share potential clinical, research, and volunteer experiences particularly suited to student-athletes.
  • Grow this community through alumni outreach to foster accessible mentorship and networking opportunities.
  • Provide semi-annual programming in the form of events, workshops, or panels on high-yield topics such as building a CV and MCAT preparation.

4 Forever App

Connecting current and former Notre Dame student-athletes

We recently launched the “4 for Forever” mobile app for ND student-athletes. You can download the app here. The purpose of the app is to better connect past, present, and future Notre Dame student-athletes as they explore careers and life beyond the playing field. A few of the benefits include the ability to:

  • Connect and message with others about careers of interest.
  • Contribute and watch content on jobs, professional interests, and companies - including healthcare/pre-med.
  • Post and find opportunities exclusively for our ND network.

Once you complete onboarding, you will be granted access to join! Once you’re in, please complete your profile (make sure you elect/subscribe to the "#Medicine" Feed, along with any others of interest), and record a brief video introduction. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out directly to James Biddick. We're excited to see you on the platform!

 

James Biddick, Student-Athlete Career Development Program Manager

James Biddick joined the Center for Career Development in 2018. A jack-of-all-trades, Biddick has professional experience in law, athletics, and career development.
 

After completing his LLB (Honors) from the University of Canterbury and Bachelor of Social Science from Lincoln University, Biddick began his professional career in the field of law. Originally from New Zealand, James spent three years as an attorney with New Zealand’s leading corporate law firm, Russell McVeagh. He then worked at a boutique entertainment and media focused law firm for two years before deciding to pursue a different career path.
 

Previously a student-athlete in field hockey and cricket, Biddick represented New Zealand in Field Hockey. In addition, he also spent many years dedicated to coaching field hockey across the world.
 

Biddick focused his passions in athletics towards earning a Master’s in Sports Administration from Ohio University. Through the program, he had the opportunity to work as a graduate assistant for the College of Business Office of Career Management, where he found his calling in Career Development.
 

After graduating, Biddick served as the Assistant Director, then Associate Director of Graduate Career Management and Sport Management, and Graduate Student Career Coach for Ohio University.
 

In his position with the Meruelo Family Center for Career Development, James is responsible for helping guide student-athletes throughout their career discernment process, as well as helping reach their full career potential. Biddick also helps students who are potentially interested in breaking in to the sports industry. 
 

“Having walked the path of a student-athlete, professional athlete, and corporate professional; I understand the journey and unique challenges faced by many student-athletes when attempting to discern a major, discover their “why”, access resources, explore experiential opportunities that fit their schedule, and determined fulfilling first-steps post-graduation. I can be their first port of call to support and guide them through this often confusing, but very rewarding, journey.” – James Biddick

 

To get in touch with James, email jbiddick@nd.edu or call the Center for Career Development at (574)-631-5200.

 

Career Development Summer Funding Program for Student Athletes

Thanks to Notre Dame benefactors, approximately $400,000 is available for undergraduate students to participate in low pay or no pay summer experiences (internships, research, job shadows, treks, etc.). The Meruelo Family Center for Career Development offers the Summer Funding Program to support Notre Dame undergraduate students during their summer experiences. This program is intended to alleviate the living costs incurred as a result of participating in a summer experience that will aid students to be successful in their career endeavors.

Summer 2020 Applications are now being accepted. The application deadline is April 21, 2020.

2020 Career Development Summer Funding Program Application

Program at a Glance

  • Funds are intended to support food, transportation, and housing expenses incurred as a result of accepting a summer experience.
  • Only qualifying experiences will be considered for funding support.
  • Each funding application is reviewed by the Review Committee and selected recipients are sponsored through one of the program funds. Students only need ton complete one application.
  • Paid and unpaid interns have different maximum award amounts.
  • Funding is not guaranteed for any applicants.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be an undergraduate student returning to Notre Dame following their summer experience to complete their degree.
  • Applicants must have an internship offer when submitting the funding application.
  • Student Athletes completing a summer experience through the Overtime Program are likely eligible for the Career Development Summer Funding Program, however, funding is not guaranteed to any applicant.
  • Applicants must be pursuing a summer opportunity that provides training, mentoring, and supervision to aid skill development.
  • Applicants who are involved in any political campaigning on behalf or in support of a political candidate are not eligible for the Career Development Summer Funding Program.

Application includes:

  • Resume
  • Personal Statement Video - record 1 response via Big Interview and paste the response recording url link into application.
  • Biographical Information - basic information about the applicant (name, major, etc.).
  • Waiver and Program Guidelines - agree to the policies of the Career Development Summer Funding Program throughout the summer experience.
  • Expense Sheet - use the application format to itemize weekly anticipated expenses related to food, housing, and transportation.
  • Employer Verification Form - this form is required to be completed by your employer for submission.

Please direct any questions about the Career Development Summer Funding Program to the Center for Career Development at careerdevelopment@nd.edu.