ABINGTON, Pa. — The Sophomore Jump Start program at Penn State Abington provided students who are the first in their families to attend college, and who have not chosen a major, with tools and guidance in planning their future pathways. The residential three-day program was led by the campus Career and Professional Development (CPD) team.
Kismet Hampton, internship and experiential coordinator in CPD, explained that Jump Start is an “academic and professional career boot camp where students took a deep dive into assessing where they are in relation to where they want to be” by combining self-assessments with creative opportunities such as vision boarding.
The incoming second-year students took the CliftonStrengths Assessment and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and CPD staff evaluated the results to help them focus on goals for the next year including job shadowing, internships, or choosing a major.
“The CliftonStrengths Assessment is a talent identification and development tool that helps students discover their strengths. It provides direction so you can pour your time, energy, and gifts into what you do well,” she said.
Meg Glick, case manager in Student Affairs, partnered with the CPD team to organize the immersive program for a dozen students.
“Sophomore Jump Start is like Career Development 101. It helps the students take ownership of the next year by being proactive,” Glick said.