Career & Business Program

OVERVIEW

In partnership with the National Football League (NFL), Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU), The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) and a consortium of university partners—the NFL Alumni Association’s (NFLAA) Career and Business Program (CBP) was created to address the career transition needs of retired NFL players. The CBP is a content and resource-driven career training and placement program that engages participants across multiple growth and development modalities (e.g. counseling referrals, classroom lectures, panel discussions, online learning, internships, job placement, etc.). Players retired between 0-24 months are eligible to apply for stage one. All other NFL alumni must enter at stage two.

Stage 1: NFL CAREER TRANSITION PROGRAM

Each quarter, 40 recently retired (0-24 months) NFL players will participate in a three-day Career Transition Program (CTP) administered by the NFL and selected colleges and universities. All participants must apply and be accepted into the program by the NFL. The core content of the CTP encompasses psychological and career assessments, communication skill building, personal branding, career transition strategy creation and customized sessions on emerging business trends. In addition, the CTP provides information on NFL retirement benefits, lifestyle and fitness coaching. Further, this classroom setting provides participants with an enhanced opportunity to share experiences, build a learning community and connect with peers. All CTP content and sessions are tied to student learning outcomes created in concert with university partners selected by the NFL.

Click here to find out more about Stage 1: NFL Career Transition Program

Stage 2: DISTANCE LEARNING PREP COURSE

All NFLAA members are eligible and strongly encouraged to participate in our nine-week certificate program. The course is offered online and divided into the following three areas.

General Business

Program participants will be provided group and individual instruction on personal and business finance. The online learning community will provide participants with a theoretical framework for understanding personal finance with a focus on cash flow analysis, debt load management and monitoring of financial services professionals. Individual sessions will match players with an accredited financial services professional that will help participants organize their financial portfolio. Session outcomes include a personalized financial audit and a net worth statement.

Finance

Career Selection

Program participants will be provided with a process for selecting a career track. Career track options include (1) shadowing, internship, employment and management trainee experiences; (2) non-profit start-up/management; or (3) for-profit start-up/management. Session outcomes include a written resume, a business plan and/or completion of a funding application (non-profit/for-profit start-up).

Stage 3: PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL BRANDING COURSE

Upon the successful completion of stage two, a cohort of 15 players will be selected for our three-day course. Course location and dates will be driven by the geographic location of cohort members. This stage engages participants in a series of interactive and experiential learning activities designed to help former players develop the knowledge and skills needed to compete in the world or work. Individuals will be challenged to consider various personal and professional factors while focusing on specific opportunities in the marketplace. At the conclusion of stage three, each participant will be assigned an Accountability Coach for 2-4 months depending upon need. The Accountability Coach will facilitate career growth through a series of assignments designed to result in a realistic next step towards career maturity.

Video: Current and retired NFL Players attend Stage 3: Personal and Professional Branding Course at LSU.

Stage 4: PLACEMENT

Upon the successful completion of stages two and three—participants will be awarded a CBP Certificate and provided with the distinction as a Certified Applicant. Certified Applicants will be placed in an applicant pool which ensures (1) a mock interview with a major corporation and (2) the opportunity to interview for a temporary work experience (e.g. volunteer, internship, management trainee position, etc.). Retired players will be required to complete a minimum of 160 work hours at a pay rate commensurate with an individual’s education, experience and ability. Pay rates are driven by the hiring corporation and industry standards. At the conclusion of the temporary work experience, retired players will have the opportunity to become gainfully employed. The NFLAA will facilitate employment interviews for all retired players that complete stages 2-4 and a temporary work experience.

Stage 5: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Retired players that own a business are strongly encouraged to become an NFLAA Emerging Business. The program offers the following to businesses with a track record of successful business operation over three years: (1) an NFLAA Certification, (2) access to bid on NFLAA-related vendor contracts, (3) inclusion in an NFLAA Business-to-Business Player Directory, (4) integration into an online NFLAA business networking system and (5) licensing and alliance opportunities tied to various NFLAA initiatives. NFL alumni interested in starting a business or in business for less than three years must begin the program at stage two.

How to Get Started

Former Players: All retired players interested in participating in the CBP must begin by completing a Player Interest Form. The player interest form should be accompanied by a resume and returned to the Career and Business Department via email at cbp@nflalumni.org.

Corporations: Corporations interested in supporting can do so by emailing a completed Company Opportunities Form to cbp@nflalumni.org.

Questions: Email us at cbp@nflalumni.org or contact Career and Business Program Manager, Katie Hilder, at (973) 241-5146

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