College - and the life-changing choices that come with the experience - can be overwhelming, but Ursuline College’s new UCoach program is designed to help students navigate the freshmen waters and chart a clearer course for success.
Modeled after a similar program at Mercy College in New York, UCoach launched in August and is open to new students who have declared majors in the arts and sciences or who have not yet chosen a major.
“When I read about Mercy’s program, it jumped out at me that this type of resource would be a natural fit for Ursuline, since we work one-on-one with students to give them a personalized educational experience,” explains Sister Virginia DeVinne, UCoach coordinator.
The program has two main components: developing a coaching relationship and career development/readiness for the job market.
The first dimension involves pairing each student with a faculty or staff member from the first week of classes to help ease the transition. Throughout the year, the coach guides the student in setting goals and developing a personalized college success plan. Regular one-on-one meetings offer ongoing support.
The second dimension of the program features a one credit career development course in the spring semester in which the student will be introduced to the practice of informational interviewing, and a one credit sophomore course in which the student will complete a job shadowing experience. These experiences will be the foundation for an internship experience for credit in the junior year. Finally, the student will learn how to develop an e-portfolio that can be used in the job search process in the senior year.
The first UCoach cohort - limited to 20 students - includes nine biology majors, five pre-pharmacy majors, three psychology majors, one English major, one visual communication design major, and one student exploring majors.
“Some majors - nursing or education, for example - have clearer career paths. We’ve found arts and sciences students often benefit from more career development work to really explore the possibilities of how to put a more general major like history or English to work,” says Sister DeVinne. “We have a lot of academic and career development resources at Ursuline. UCoach will allow us to use those existing resources but to supplement them, manage them and personalize them to make them better.”
Lauren Krozser, an English major, says the program is already making a difference. “As a first-year student, being part of UCoach has been a very positive experience. Having someone to guide and support me through my college journey has helped me adjust to life at Ursuline. My UCoach has given me a source to turn to with any questions or concerns and has inspired me to research various majors and career options.”
As UCoach gains steam heading into spring semester, Sister DeVinne is seeking alumnae interested in helping with the career development track, either by participating in the informational interviewing or job shadowing processes. To learn more, send email to Sister DeVinne or call 440-684-6018.
