In 2014, the J.T. and Margret Talkington Leadership Academy set out on a mission- to better prepare college athletes for life after college. They created a program catered specially to athletes who were getting closer to graduation and entering the work force.
In the spring of 2015, the Suited for Success program welcomed its first group of athletes. This class consisted of seniors who were done polishing their athletic craft, but still were working on perfecting the craft of being a professional. The program was focused around interview skills, different etiquette styles, and self-confidence.
Amy Heard, the senior associate athletic director for the Leadership Academy at Texas Tech, explained how self-confidence is an important factor when finding a job in the work place. “art of career success is confidence, and having the right gear, as you might call it, the suit, the professional attire to go to an interview is part of the package.”
The Suited for Success program focuses primarily around success in the work place. The program teaches athletes 6 principles for life after college- how to build a resume, creating a cover letter, career exploration, developing skill sets, networking skills, and helping with interviews through a mock interview.
The whole program is 6 sessions and one final dinner. Each day they focus on a different aspect of finding a job. On the last day the students meet with local business owners and different business leaders and do a mock interview with companies in the field they wish to join prior to graduating. Upon completion of the course the athletes receive a suit which they will wear to a formal dinner with local business leaders.
Heard talked about the different people that help with the interview process as well as participate in the dinner. “A lot of times we work really hard to align that with their career interest. For example, if you want to be a teacher were going to bring in someone that hires teachers or someone that works for a school district.”
This year the Suited for Success program was recognized nationally as one of the two Model Practice Award Winners for the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals. The program was recognized for its collaboration of resources between the university and the Lubbock community.
Blake Silverthorn, the program director at Tech, gave the Suited for Success Program a double “guns up” when he spoke about the programs Tech was implementing to prepare student-athletes for life after their sport. “It doesn’t matter what level of athlete you are; you’re set up for life.”
The Suited for Success program has helped over 500 athletes across all 17 NCAA sports programs offered at Tech create a better life for themselves. In more ways than one the Suited for Success program has figured out ways for students-athletes to gain the most out of their partnership with the university.
The Breakdown 