Author: Kayla Schlein

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Underrated ✔️… Underappreciated ✔️✔️: Stephen Curry Inspires Davidson Intern at SC30

“‘Katie’ … I will forever remember that phone call from Davidson alum Bryant Barr ’10 … ‘We’ve thought it through, and we would love to have you join our team this summer.’ It changed my life.”

What if I told you that arguably the greatest point guard to ever play professional basketball is a better person and a better boss than he is a player? You probably wouldn’t believe me. Six months ago, I wouldn’t have believed myself either. 

But working alongside Stephen Curry, you’d never know he is a three-time NBA champion, two-time MVP (the NBA’s only unanimous selection), six-time All-Star, and holds so many three-point records you can hardly count them.  Stephen treats everyone as if they’re friends—colleagues, business partners, second graders, adoring and even obsessive fans; no one is ever an inconvenience. It’s also no surprise, then, that Stephen makes it a priority to surround himself with a team of likeminded people, all of whom welcomed me warmly to my new summer home.

That was my first clue the six-week internship with SC30 Inc. would be special.

My Story

July 8, 2019 | 7:30 a.m.

I walked into the office with my stomach in knots.  In minutes, I discovered my first project would be assisting with the launch of Stephen and Ayesha Curry’s new Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation … the first task: help organize an event for 900 underprivileged kids from Oakland that would take place in nine days. There was no time to be nervous.

Nine days seemed like nine hours. As is the case with everything the Currys touch, meticulous thought and preparation went into every detail, and their vision was fulfilled through a team effort. Stephen and Ayesha prioritized spending time with the campers, so we worked to coordinate perfectly the 12 different learning stations at the park at Lake Merritt.  Each station was run by one of their many partners—Under Armour, Google, JP Morgan Chase, Rakuten, PGA Reach, the Golden State Warriors and others—with one goal in mind: provide an unforgettable day filled with activities that would engage the kids in each of the Foundation’s three pillars—access to quality education, healthy eating and physical activity.

Underprivileged, Meet Underrated

The next four hours were magical. As if their quiet financial contribution wasn’t enough, Stephen and Ayesha visited every station and helped campers build Legos, learn golf, play virtual reality games and assemble healthy snack bags. But they saved the best for last, as both braved the cold water of the dunk tank and cheered for the kids (and their own daughters) to hit the bullseye. After the final dunk that left Stephen drenched, the Currys announced every camper would receive a brand-new pair of Stephen’s Under Armour basketball shoes as a back-to-school gift. I left that day inspired by the joy that surprise brought to the park full of adoring kids; it was a day unlike any other.

Over the next five weeks, I felt Stephen’s giving spirit everywhere as I worked with the SC30 team on a number of exciting projects within the company’s four pillars—brand partnerships, content & media, philanthropy and investments. 

Every strategy had one primary focus—improve the lives of those less fortunate. For instance, Foundation CEO Chris Helfrich and I went on a site visit to the East Oakland Boxing Association to discuss a partnership Stephen knew would create a lifeline for the club’s underprivileged youth and help close their opportunity gap; a place less about developing boxers and more about providing a critical refuge where disadvantaged kids could go to eat, learn, and play in a supportive and safe environment. That same passion to serve also resulted in SC30’s investment in an early-stage company called Guild Education, the funding of Howard University’s men’s AND women’s golf teams and so much more.

It’s no secret Stephen is also a huge advocate for gender equality, a subject that has become deeply personal for him, especially the pay gap and how to close it.  I was so honored to work with SC30 on some of those initiatives: coordinating Eat. Learn. Play.’s first class of college scholarships and running drills at Stephen’s annual all-girls basketball camp. It was gratifying to know that with each project, we were working toward Stephen’s “women deserve equality” goal. 

Underrated, Meet Inspired

Kids often dream about the future and where they see themselves as adults. Some want desperately to become astronauts, doctors, or Olympic gold-medalists. Growing up, I never thought, “That’s who I want to be in 20 years.” Apart from playing Division I basketball at a highly academic school, my dreams for the future were a mystery. 

But after this summer’s internship with SC30, I finally know …  I will make it my mission to work for, or as Stephen says, “WITH,” faithful partners who value integrity, compassion, ethics, generosity, humility and respect; a company with a deeper meaning and honorable mission of selfless service and helping others. A company like SC30 Inc. 

That’s how this undersized, small-town girl from Reno, Nevada plans to write the rest of her story.

This extraordinary opportunity would not have been possible without the support of Economics Professor Fred Smith, Men’s Basketball Coach Bob McKillop and my teammates and coaches.  Thank you!  And to Stephen, Bryant (’10) and Chris … the real-world business experience I gained was invaluable, but your incredible kindness, warmth and passion are what will stay with me forever.

Katie Turner ’21

Davidson Women’s Basketball #1

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Nature is Calling

This blog was written by Jon White ’19, 2019-2020 Davidson Impact Fellow for Catawba Lands Conservancy.

The outdoors have been a part of my life since childhood. Beginning with summer camps around Durham, at the age of 5 I was introduced to the Piedmont’s creeks and streams and the magical creatures that might live there. At 8 I learned to build a fire, and at 11 I went on my first backpacking trip. When I was stuck at home my senior year of high school without a driver’s license, I would ride my bike to the Duke Forest and search for crayfish and salamanders. This past summer I worked at a camp at the base of the Grand Tetons in Wyoming, and I concluded that the snow capped mountains were impressive and all, but the dank, swampy forest of the Carolina Piedmont is where I belong.

Yet my awakening to the wide array of social problems within the political turmoil of the past four years drew my attention away from environmental issues as I had previously conceived them. I switched my major from environmental studies to anthropology, and found myself with a dozen resumes submitted to legal jobs by the time the fellowship at Catawba Lands Conservancy crossed my path.

Living in a house, paying bills, and friendships with people outside my age demographic have all popped my Davidson bubble in expected ways, but my professional turn toward environmentalism–now in the “real world”, the world of creeks and trees but also a cubicle and fundraising goals–has required the crude reconciling of my romantic high school self and the socially-conscious, intellectual edge I gained at Davidson. From the reforestation of untended family farms to urban stream restoration and greenway construction, land conservation is a cause that cuts across many demographics and different issues in unexpected ways. As program coordinator, it’s my job to take people onto the land we’ve conserved and trails we’ve built. Though the content of the programs is always loosely educational, my primary goal is to foster a feeling of connection between people and places. In doing so, I aim not to dictate people’s relationship to the outdoors–I don’t think I could if I tried–and along the way I may uncover a greater understanding of how others appreciate and enjoy nature and outdoor spaces in diverse ways.

In fact, my cyclical return to environmental causes has further complicated the way I think of the interrelation of social issues, and their urgency. This isn’t even to mention how an individual land conservancy organization ought to find its niche within this grand social ecosystem (that’s something I hope to learn more about-and write more about-later). For now, I will keep my swampy woods and listen as both the cardinals and the winter program calendar calls.

Davidson Impact Fellow Jon White
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Networking for Dummies

This blog was written by Jessica Moo Young ’19, 2019-2020 Davidson Impact Fellow for Habitat for Humanity International.

When I took the Myers-Briggs type indicator four years ago, it told me what I already knew: I’m an introvert. So as I started to think about a career, the idea of networking loomed. Work-related or not, I was always unlikely to approach a stranger and start talking; throw in name tags, job descriptions and business cards and the situation seemed even more strained. Striking up conversation with the sole purpose of making a contact or landing a business deal was just too transactional. With this understanding, I went 21 years without attending a single networking event. After starting my fellowship at Habitat for Humanity
International, my hard-earned streak was quickly broken. Within a month and a half, I had networked everywhere from DC to Bangkok and back.

Though I’m still nowhere close to being a networking aficionado, redefining my approach has helped me to start building a meaningful community for myself. Rather than stepping outside of my comfort zone, I’m extending its range in many senses of the phrase. Before walking into any work function, I find time to compose my thoughts and set a tangible goal for myself, for example, to meet 3 or 4 people and engage in great conversation with each. (Reminder: still an introvert.) It might take longer to meet people, but it also allows more time to connect with them on a deeper level and in more personal settings. Instead of going with the usual what-do-you-dos and who-do-you-knows, I focus on questions that I’m genuinely interested in asking. My go-to is, “How did you get to where you are now?”—a question that tends to cover a person’s career decisions, changes, journey and growth. The answers are always inspiring and help me to understand different thought processes and pathways to success.

Growing up, I thought that a career meant finding a job and sticking with it ‘til death do you part. But in speaking with others across different sectors and fields, I’ve found that people are dynamic, change is inevitable and there is not one way to pursue a career—which can be made up of several positions at various organizations en route. With these new findings and the ones to come, I’ve opened myself up to a world of opportunities, arguably much more daunting than casual conversations with colleagues.

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NTT Experience – Consulting Program

Adrianne Cheung Class of 2017

This month, I am in Atlanta on a project, facing off with a group of 15 VP’s and Senior VP’s, standing up new sourcing initiatives. Six months ago, I was in St. Louis overseeing the first release of a new core system that took 2 years to implement. Before that, I was graduating from Davidson with only a semblance of where I was headed.

Google will only tell you so much about Business Consulting under the umbrella of a large technology company and a short blog will only tell you so much more. One thing I can tell you, is that the crux of program management consulting is living in change and ambiguity and being able to think through whatever situation lies in front of you on that given day. For me, joining NTT DATA Services through the Consulting Program began the process of acclimating me to the never-ending changes in the financial services world. I was able to create a support network of peers and mentors that I could go to with “silly” questions or feedback and guidance for the do’s and do not’s. Those connections are still the people I go to two years later when I want to talk through a scenario or find new perspectives on a solution.

More than anything, I was able to get a glimpse into project life through the conversations I had with first- and second-year consultants during the Consultant Program. New experiences can be daunting in any stage in life but for those of us new to the ‘real world’, having a friend to lean on can be a life saver. Every one’s experiences will be different. Every project will have its unique flavor. I have flown to new cities, spent hours at the Charlotte office and stayed in the client offices, while others worked from home, or were always at the client’s local office. I have sat for long hours staring at numbers whereas some coworkers have never looked at a spreadsheet during their tenure. Being able to learn from my peers’ experiences, shape my own path, and navigate the minefield of client delivery have been some of the most interesting aspects of my career thus far at NTT DATA.

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The Power of the Davidson Career Advisor Network (DCAN)

By Shaw Hipsher ’03

I have thoroughly enjoyed utilizing the Davidson Career Advisor Network as both an advisee and an advisor. As a ‘03 alumna, serving as an advisor gave me the opportunity to get to know a freshly graduated alumna (2018), learn about her Davidson journey, and hear about her current goals. Making introductions and connections to people (many of them also Davidson alumni) who might be able to offer her information, resources, or opportunities related to her goals was a joy. Braving the awkward space to have a conversation with a stranger sometimes takes a little reassurance and support— especially the first couple of times— and a warm introduction can make all the difference. It was a pleasure to provide those introductions. Moving to the other side of the table and receiving advice from a fellow alumna has been really helpful as well. From a critique of my LinkedIn profile to getting a fresh perspective on how to present experience when moving between sectors, I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation and follow-ups with my alumna advisor. Her solid support, sharp focus, and prompt follow-through reminded me of just how special it is to be a member of the Davidson family.

DCAN provides a unique opportunity to grow your Davidson circles outside of local networking opportunities. For example, my advisor is in California and I am in Charlotte so I got to meet someone I might never have otherwise. My advisee was in Charlotte, but she’s wanting to move to DC, a city where I have lived, and I was able to make several introductions there to help her grow her network before she moves. The job market is a fast-paced, competitive environment that can feel overwhelming and impersonal. Resources like DCAN can bring humanity and personalness back to the experience of launching (or relaunching) your career or job search. I highly recommend creating an account and giving it a go as an advisor, advisee, or both.   

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Soccer ‘Cats in Philly

Our life as Davidson student-athletes revolves around our sport and academics. Our education is never compromised, even when we travel. This season, Davidson women’s soccer has endured a strenuous travel schedule in the A10. Although missing classes is not ideal, the time we have towards our academics is very valuable. The Philadelphia career event, sponsored by the career center, was an impactful experience understanding the importance of navigating the Davidson alumni network and focusing on our future after Davidson. 

An aspect about Davidson that was not stressed enough during my first three years was the strong alumni network the institution has. Our trip to Philadelphia was a great example of it. Initially, the networking event was a bit nerve racking because I thought it was difficult to relate to Davidson alum who were at different points in their lives compared to me. Once I had my first conversation with an alumni, we ended up having more in common than I thought! My teammates and I enjoyed talking about the changing social scene at Davidson, our majors, our future career paths, and our love for the college. 

As the evening went on, the team got to hear from a handful of alumni on a networking panel. Ryan Northington (‘96), former Davidson men’s soccer player, emphasized the impact our position as student-athletes has on our resumes. He mentioned that when he reviews two applicants with similar credentials but one is a student-athlete, he chooses the student-athlete every time. Hearing this made me feel much better about entering the workforce, knowing the advantage I have over other applicants. Being a student-athlete brings important skills that can be applied when looking for employment. Team player, time management, communication skills are just a few examples that the panel listed that were key skills to emphasize. I learned so much from these Davidson grads, especially being persistent in making Davidson connections. 

The Philadelphia career event also included professional school panels for medical, law, and business school. I attended the Villanova law school panel which featured Villanova law students who were former student-athletes in undergrad. The admissions director went through the process for applying to Villanova’s law program, then afterwards we heard from the students about their experience when they applied to law school. Listening to their unique stories, I found a common theme about transitioning from being a student-athlete to a regular student. My undergrad application process revolved around soccer and where I wanted to play. Now, soccer will not be an important factor when picking which law schools I apply to. The law students advised me and other players to figure out what are the main things we are looking for in a law school. Maybe it’s financial aid, location, being close to family, or prestige. In reality, soccer won’t be one of them, but soccer can help us when we apply. Similar to Northington’s point, the Villanova law students encouraged us to emphasize the skills we developed while being student-athletes.

Overall, I believe this career event was helpful for every player to reflect on what directions to take during their Davidson career. Of course, my path looks starkly different from my freshmen counterparts, but we all learned that student-athletes are hireable! To achieve our desired career goals, we must be proactive in utilizing our alumni network, and ultimately being our own advocates when competing for internships or full-time jobs. 

Michele Manceaux ’20, Psychology & Political Science Double Major (Pictured Right)

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Career Advice from Davidson College Scholar Athlete

Read about scholar athlete, Annie Beresheim ’19 and her career advice to current Davidson College students.

Annie Beresheim, previously part of the Davidson College Women’s Lacrosse team, just graduated from Davidson in May 2019, and was recently hired at BlackRock . Annie offered great advice meant to help current students prepare for life after Davidson. While Annie offered specific advice in regards to BlackRock, this advice can be applied to careers in other industries as well.

“I am thrilled to start my career at BlackRock!  I interned with BlackRock last summer and then received a full-time offer after that.  I would offer the following advice to students that are interested in applying- 

  • Reach out to anyone on DCAN that works for or has worked for BlackRock.  Learn about the culture and the company and make connections with people that you could potentially be working with.
  • Learn about the different groups. Do your research so that you know what groups sound interesting to you and which positions you are most qualified for. 
  • I think that each individual can apply to up to three groups. If you do not get selected for one of the positions but believe you had a strong interview, do not hesitate to reach out to your interviewer to ask what you can do better on your other interviews. This is a helpful way to make a connection with someone at the firm in addition to learning how to improve on future interviews. Not many people do this and it is definitely something that interviewers remember and respect.  
  • Make sure that you are on top of your deadlines and information sessions. Especially fall of junior year!”

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And Now Introducing …..

The Center for Career Development is excited to welcome two new members to the team. We are kicking off the Fall semester with Josh King, Assistant Director of Career Development for Athletes and Julie Lucas, Operations and Employer Engagement Coordinator. Josh, a North Carolina native, joins us from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. Julie, is returning to the CCD after spending time with the Office of Alumni and Family Engagement at Davidson College.  

North Carolina native Josh King earned both his Masters in Sport & Entertainment Management and his Bachelor’s in Sport Management from the University of South Carolina. Josh’s career in athletics began in high school while working with Duke Men’s Basketball Camps for nine summers, beginning in the summer of 2005. Since then, Josh has over a decade of experience working in college athletics and higher education in a variety of capacities. He most recently served as Director of Football Academics and Student-Athlete Development Coordinator at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. There he served as the lead academic advisor for football, as well as serving as an academic advisor for rowing, men’s golf, and women’s golf. In the student-athlete development realm, he advised ODU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and SAAC Leadership team,  and lead the Monarch’s Career Development Programming for 475+ student-athletes. Prior to ODU, Josh worked at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi as the Compliance & Student-Athlete Services Coordinator where he advised women’s soccer, oversaw life skills programming, and handled day-to-day operations for their NCAA Compliance program. During his time at the University of South Carolina, Josh worked with the Gamecock’s Men’s Basketball team as a four-year manager and was promoted to head manager after his sophomore yer. He also worked with the Office of Compliance Services with the athletic department as an intern during graduate school. In his free time, Josh enjoys attending traveling domestically and abroad, as well as training for half-marathons. He resides in Charlotte with his wife, Natalie King, and their two dogs, Harper and Koger.

Born and raised in Illinois, Julie Lucas, her husband and two young children, relocated to Southwest Florida beginning her career of working with students.  Twenty years later, she and her husband moved to the Davidson area where she started work as Office Manager at Davidson College in the Center for Career Development. A decade later, an opportunity became available to broaden her knowledge and work with the Office of Alumni and Family Engagement. Julie enjoyed interacting with alumni and understanding the College Relations division although it confirmed her love of working with students. Julie is excited to return to the Center for Career Development as their Operations and Employer Engagement Coordinator. When away from the office she strives to find the perfect balance between a highly productive and aesthetically pleasing garden. 

We are excited to welcome Josh and Julie, as they are huge assets to the team and to the students of Davidson College. They are greatly looking forward to working with Davidson College students through advising, employer programming and professional development. 

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You Asked, We Listened: CCD Introduces New Office Model to Meet Students’ Needs

Davidson students responded and we listened! Over the summer, the Center for Career Development (CCD) implemented a new staff structure to best meet the needs of Davidson students. Our advising team is now aligned with targeted industries or serves the needs of specific student cohorts, which allows tailored advising and professional development efforts.

What does this mean for students?

Students can schedule an appointment with a specific adviser who is focused on their particular area of interest. Our advisers are developing expertise regarding resources, opportunities and best practices for professional development in their specific arenas.

“The Center for Career Development has always served as a champion to students and supported them through their career journey,” said Jamie Stamey, executive director of the CCD. “Our new model provides the opportunity to take this support to the next level by designating advisers to specific industries and student cohorts who can develop formal resources and expand employer and graduate school relationships.”

The new model also gives students the chance to develop a strong relationship with their career adviser throughout their time at Davidson. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their respective adviser to introduce themselves and start the career conversation immediately. 

Without further ado, meet your CCD advising team:

Beth Adams: Assistant Director, Business & Finance

Abby Brown: Assistant Director, Education and Public & Human Services

Raquel Dailey: Assistant Director, International Career Development

Lindsey Dolan: Assistant Director, Arts, Entertainment & Technology

Josh King: Assistant Director, Athlete Career Development

Dalton Langdon: Exploratory Career Adviser

Gaylena Merritt: Assistant Director for Fellowships & Scholarships

Kelli Robinson: Assistant Director, Science & Pre-Professional (Law & Health)

Advising appointments are still scheduled through Handshake. Select the appropriate career topic you would like to discuss and schedule a time with your adviser that works best for your schedule. We’re excited to work with students and the Davidson community!

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TV Helped Me Find My Career Path

Read about CCD Student Associate Eboni Freeman ’21, and how she gravitated toward the field of psychology by …… watching hours of TV.

From around the age of 14, I have always been intrigued by criminals, specifically serial criminals, and the factors that lead them to commit such heinous acts. My initial interests manifested as a result of watching shows such as Criminal Minds and NCIS. I took my first Psychology course in high school and loved learning and dissecting why humans behave the way that we do; looking at how our biology, cognition and our social environment interact and influence our behavior. I found myself to be so intrigued by the stories of serial killers, their motive behind their actions, and the psychology of it all. I always question the moment in which an individual turns into a killer- what changed to lead them down such a terrible path?

As stated above, my gravitation toward the field of psychology, and desire to attend graduate school for Criminology, was derived from the amply hours I would spend engrossed in episodes of Criminal Minds and NCIS. The way in which the characters profiled suspects based on previous acts, evidence, interviews with family and friends, drew me closer and led me to begin analyzing the behavior of those around me. My combined interest in psychology and criminal justice have caused me to be more empathetic towards individuals who commit minor crimes and has led me to better understand why other individuals murder; specifically, what processes are taking place in the mind of this individual that has led them to believe that this action is the right action for them to take. Our criminal justice system is an oppressive and racist system that Americans, and those who decide to gain citizenship, must abide by. It is a system that I do not believe constantly takes into consideration the situation and circumstances which cause individuals to commit, criminal, actions.