For many student-athletes, summer means intensive physical training coupled with taking classes to lighten their course load during the playing season. More rare is the opportunity to explore another hallmark of the college experience: a summer internship.
David Williams II, vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletics director, is on a mission to change that. Four years ago, Williams developed an internship program for Vanderbilt student-athletes that spans everything from exploring career paths to helping secure work experiences.
Vanderbilt student-athletes typically begin by attending a career fair, where they are able to talk with potential internship mentors from Nashville-area businesses. In 2015, when Vanderbilt launched the initiative, 36 Vanderbilt student-athletes participated in the internship program. This year, that number grew to 85 interns.
