First Year Experience

Part one of Winthrop's Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), Flight Ready, is a dedicated unit within the FYE "Principles of the Academy" course that will provide instruction on the concept of career competencies, the principles of career and self-development, and will consist of the following:

  • Strong Interest Inventory® Administration - First-Year Students, Fall Semester – Within the First-Year Experience, the Principles of the Academy Course (ACAD 101), first-year students will complete the Strong Interest Inventory®, learning more about how their strengths and interests can connect them with majors and careers.

  • Career Readiness Unit, First-Year Students, Fall Semester – Within the First-Year Experience, the Principles of the Academy Course (ACAD 101) will continue its full unit (piloted in Year 0) on Career Readiness and the NACE Career Competencies. Beginning in Year 1 and continuing through Year 5, ACAD 101 will also include a video introduction to the resources and services available to them through Winthrop’s Center for Career Development & Internships (CDI). This video provides CDI staff with a feasible approach to reach all 50 – 60 annual sections of ACAD 101. Students also will participate in a guided in-class activity that shows students how their interests influence their choice of major, career, and work settings.

  • Career Readiness Self-Reflection (Signature Assessment for ACAD 101), Fall Semester – First-Year students will complete their ACAD 101 signature assessment for the course through a critical reflection writing assignment.