When Hayden Hodges, a Sophomore Psychology major, arrived at the University of Pittsburgh from Mississippi, he wasn’t sure where he would fit in. Coming from a small town to a big city campus, he was nervous about this change, but he was certain about one thing: his deepening interest in Psychology.
Hayden knew that he wanted to start expanding his network and building strong professional skills, so a friend recommended he join Pitt’s Career Prep Academy (CPA). The program lasts eight weeks and is designed to help students explore their academic and professional interests through hands-on experiences, weekly meetings, and networking opportunities.
Throughout the course, Hayden learned how to create an elevator pitch, how to carry himself in professional settings, and how to tailor his resume to specific positions, especially in preparation for networking events. So, when the CPA Networking event arrived, Hayden felt confident in his ability to make a lasting impression on the professionals he spoke to.
“It opened my eyes to how networking works, and it started to get easier as time went on,” Hayden shared. The more time he spent at the event, the more natural it came, and he even ended up connecting with two professionals who passed his resume along.
Hayden also became involved in the Provost Academy during his freshman year, a program that lays the groundwork for first-year students to grow professionally and find their place at Pitt. His experience with his mentor has stayed with him and inspired him to give back to help people in the same spot that he was in just a year ago.
Because of this, he returned to the program as Provost Academy Leader. In this role, Hayden arrives two weeks before fall classes begin to lead daily meetings with the freshman cohort of nine to thirteen students. Throughout the academic year, the leaders check in with students to keep them on track personally and academically, connecting them with campus resources, and supporting them through the challenges of adjusting to higher education. He takes pride in guiding young students to prepare them for their future and always remembers being in their shoes. Hayden is now preparing for the next cohort of students for the 2026 academic year.
Hayden is excited to continue helping others and expanding his own network and hopes to reach 500 LinkedIn connections by the time he graduates. In the future, Hayden hopes to attend medical school to expand his knowledge on the human mind and explore the ways psychology and medicine can support patients in meaningful ways.
Hayden is thankful for the Career Prep Academy and his experience as a Provost Academy Leader (PAL) for helping him build confidence in representing himself professionally. He urges students to take in all the feedback and opportunities presented to them, because each one can reveal something new about themselves. Earning $200 at the end of the CPA was a nice bonus!
If you are interested in joining the Career Prep Academy, the spring cohort starts the week of February 2. You can find the schedule and the link to register online. Three levels are offered – pick the one that best fits you!
