California Golden Bears Athletics
CAMERON INSTITUTE PILLARS
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
MENTAL PERFORMANCE
Career Development Pillar
The Career Development Pillar’s mission is to empower Cal student-athletes to secure their “golden opportunity” post-graduation. The pillar drives self-discovery, builds career skills and develops professional networks through programming customized to the Cal student-athlete.
To offer your support to the Career Development Pillar as an alum or professional interested in providing Mentorship, Career Bootcamp or Internship Services, or participating in one of our Career Series Events, please fill out this form and email cameroninstitute@berkeley.edu with any questions.
Career Series
The annual Career Series guides student-athletes through every stage of the career journey using the “Explore, Build, Launch” framework, designed to provide insight into the career process and emphasize the cyclical nature of career development. Annual programming is tailored by class year, helping student-athletes develop career competencies, expand their network, and build confidence.
- Sophomores - Fall Design Your Golden Dreams and Spring Golden Pitch Competition
- Juniors - Fall Networking Night and Spring Mock Interview Event
- Seniors and Graduating Students - Fall Career Fair
1:1 Career Advising
Advisors are available to meet 1-on-1 with student-athletes to help them explore, build and launch. Advisors support student-athletes in exploring paths post-graduation, building resumes and cover letters, preparing for interviews, searching for jobs and internships, and developing plans to achieve their professional goals.
Cal Student-Athlete Mentorship Programs
The Cameron Institute’s Cal Student-Athlete Mentorship Program is designed to provide student-athletes with career mentorship by Cal alums, professionals or Haas MBA students. Through these programs, mentors provide guidance, accountability and industry insight while helping student-athletes build confidence, expand professional networks and prepare for career success.
Alum & Professional - Cameron Institute Mentorship Program
Student-athletes pair with alumni and professionals (often former Cal student-athletes), for a minimum 6-month long mentorship, with the option to extend up through their graduation. Student-athletes act as the catalyst to the mentorship process, as the relationships focus on goal setting, professional development and long-term success. This program is designed for student-athletes with diverse career interests, including those pursuing professional athletic careers. Enrollment is open year-round.
Haas - Cameron Institute Mentorship Program
Student-athletes interested in business-related careers are paired with a Haas School of Business MBA student-mentor for a semester-long mentorship. Pairs meet once a month, and student-athletes receive guidance on career exploration, networking, graduate education and professional development while building confidence and connections within the business community. Student-athletes are responsible for acting as the catalyst for the relationship – this program is designed for student-athletes interested in business, finance, consulting, marketing and grad school.
Career Readiness Seminar
This two-unit course equips student-athletes with the skills needed to prepare for successful careers at Cal and after graduation. Through career exploration, networking, recruiter panels, resume development, interviewing, LinkedIn support, salary negotiation and more, student-athletes build practical tools for long-term career success.
Career Bootcamps & Internships
Bootcamps are employer-led learning experiences organized in small-to-mid-sized groups. The purpose is to bridge the gap between academic and professional experience by having industry experts teach, mentor and advise the group on topics that will help prepare student-athletes to enter the workforce in a given career field. Topics typically include:
- Summary of job responsibilities and scope
- High-level job success instruction unique to that specific career field
- Support in navigating the search and application process
- Interview preparation
- Networking
Internships and micro Internships are experiential learning opportunities designed to help student-athletes confirm their career choices, apply academic learning and gain valuable experience that will propel them toward post-graduation career success. The Cameron Institute helps match students with internships and can also help build micro experiences that align with student-athlete interests and schedules.
To learn more about our mentorship programs or to get involved, email CameronInstitute@berkeley.edu.
Community Engagement Pillar
The Community Impact pillar cultivates reciprocal and sustained partnerships that strengthen pathways to opportunity, and deepen connections between Cal and our surrounding communities. Through a cycle of ongoing, community-centered engagement, Cal student-athletes develop their knowledge, skills, critical perspectives and commitment to service – ultimately recognizing their unique platforms to create meaningful, lasting impact in their communities during and beyond graduation.
Learn more about our partnerships, how you can get involved and explore Bears in Action on the Community Impact Hub.
Volunteer
Student-athletes and teams can engage in a supported cycle of community collaboration and civic-minded service. Opportunities include community tailored service projects, team or individual volunteering, or participating in several of our ongoing community initiatives, such as Go Bears, Go Play, and the Cal Athletics Reading Challenge.
Engage in Service Learning: EDUC 144.2: Cal & Our Community & Community Leaders Program
Student-athletes have the opportunity to participate in sustained collaboration coupled with critical reflection in partnership with a school or community-based organization.
Enroll in EDUC 144.2 Cal & Our Community Course
This one-to-three credit course created in partnership with the Berkeley School of Education offers student-athletes the opportunity to complete weekly volunteer hours and coursework rooted in service learning. This course explores the role of sport as a bridge for community building and centers equity and community-centered collaboration with local Title I elementary and middle schools, and local youth sport providers.
Develop & Lead a Social Impact Project: Community Leaders Program
Community Leaders Program (CLP) supports student-athletes in designing and leading sustainable social impact initiatives that address community needs. Participants receive mentorship and guidance through the design-thinking process, empowering them to turn ideas into meaningful service initiatives that create lasting change on campus, throughout the East Bay and beyond. Visit the Community Hub to see examples of CLPs that Cal student-athletes have completed.
Community Impact Flagship Programs
Go Girls*, Go Bears, Go Play!
Created and inspired by our own Cal student-athletes, Go Girls*, Go Bears, Go Play! celebrates the power of sport by introducing youth of all gender identities, backgrounds and abilities to fun, inclusive athletic experiences. In conjunction with National Girls and Women in Sports Day, the event hosted at Cal inspires confidence, movement and lifelong sport participation.
*We welcome students of all gender identities, backgrounds and abilities. We affirm and celebrate all who experience life through the lens of girl/woman in body, spirit, identity - past, present, future and fluid.
Golden Buddies Football Clinic
Cal football players invite athletes and students ages 6-13 to annual Golden Buddies Football Clinics, in collaboration with the Cal Cameron Institute, Special Olympics of Northern California and Exceptional Sports (e-sports). Supported by The Olden Bears Fund, this clinic brings together student-athletes and local youth with intellectual disabilities for a free day of football, fun and connection at California Memorial Stadium. The Golden Buddies football clinic was created in 2023 by Cal football alumni Matthew Cindric and Myles Williams.
Cal Athletics Reading Challenge and Cal Football Summer Reading Challenge
Cal Athletics is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by connecting student-athletes with young readers as reading role models. The Cal Athletics Reading Challenge runs year round (fall, winter, spring) and collaborates with various Cal Athletics teams, while the Cal Football Summer Reading Challenge runs over the summer months in collaboration with football student-athletes as they prepare for the fall season.
In both challenges, young students are encouraged to complete reading logs for the chance to earn tickets to Cal Athletics events, making reading both rewarding and fun while strengthening the bond between athletics and academics. Our student-athletes support a lifelong love of literacy by attending local school events, interacting with local students and completing service in the form of pep rallies, read-alouds and more!
Mental Performance Pillar
The Mental Performance Pillar provides comprehensive sport and performance psychology services to student-athletes, coaches and teams. Coaches who opt-in to the Caseload Model have an assigned mental performance consultant from the Cameron Institute to work with their teams. Consultants provide one-on-one sessions for student-athletes, teams and small group sessions, and coach consultations. Services optimize mindset, performance, sport well-being, team culture and leadership.
1:1 Mental Performance Consultation Sessions for Student-Athletes
Student-athletes can meet one-on-one with a Certified Mental Performance Consultant through self-referral or referral from coaches or staff, and sessions are designed for a single session or short-term, moderate-term or longer-term support to ultimately enhance mindset, performance, leadership or experience in sport. Potential areas of consultation include confidence, resilience, motivation, concentration and competitive anxiety, and more.
Student-athletes should schedule an appointment with their assigned mental performance consultant for their team. For student-athletes interested in long-term, multi-session consultations, an initial session can be the first step towards that. We offer 50-minute and 30-minute session options, in-person or on zoom.
Team & Small Group Sessions
Mental training programs through team and small group sessions, tailored to each team’s unique needs and goals, are systematically developed and provided. In collaboration with an assigned mental performance consultant, coaches choose the mental performance topics to include in their team’s personalized multi-session program. This service can be delivered to the entire team, subgroups (based on position, class year, etc.), team captains or pairs.
Coach Consultation Sessions
Coach Consultation Sessions are available for coaches who aim to optimize their own mental performance and leadership (communicating effectively, decision-making, performing under pressure, etc.). Coaches also have the opportunity to engage in a train-the-trainer model that focuses on how the coaching staff can incorporate and integrate mental performance within their team. Coach consultation can be combined with team sessions to ensure that the content and tools from the session are purposefully applied between sessions.
Full Practice Mental Performance Services for Teams
This is an in-person service available for Cal teams. It is designed as a flexible service that can include a combination of the following: observation of practice, team sessions, student-athlete one-on-ones, small group sessions based on position or pairs (if applicable), coach consultation, and mental skills training integrated within drills. Teams that have opted into the caseload model receive this service through their assigned mental performance consultant.
Calm x Cal
Student-athletes and coaches can access an annual premium subscription to the Calm app. The Calm App is an industry-leading app to support sleep, meditation, mental fitness, lowering anxiety and stress, and building resiliency.
Email CameronInstitute@berkeley.edu if you are a current student-athlete or staff member and want to sign up for your free premium account.
Cameron Institute-Wide Services
The Cameron Institute strives to provide holistic student-athlete support across our three pillars, and with additional services to enhance the overall student-athlete experience at Cal.
New Student-Athlete Orientation
New Student-Athlete Orientation provides a warm welcome and foundational support for newly enrolled student-athletes transitioning to Cal. Incoming student-athletes learn about available resources, connect with their peers and meet the staff that provides services uniquely built for the student-athlete experience. This Cameron Institute designed program intentionally connects new bears to resources, other athletes and the athletic department as a whole.
Recruiting
Potential student-athletes and families receive an informational overview and content related to The Cameron Institute for Student-Athlete Development on an individual, group, team-by-team or multi-team basis. The Cameron Institute provides support for student-athletes throughout their whole Cal journey, from the moment they arrive on campus.
Student-Athlete Leadership and Engagement
The Cal Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Cal Student-Athlete Led Organizations are supported by the Cameron Institute in their missions to enhance the student-athlete experience, build community and belonging, and provide leadership opportunities.
Cal Student-Athlete Advocacy Committee
The Cal Student-Athlete Advocacy Committee (SAAC) is supported by the Cameron Institute in their mission to develop and improve the overall student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity and leadership, protecting student-athlete welfare, and fostering a positive student-athlete image. Cal SAAC is part of the larger national structure and mission, connecting campus, conference and NCAA student-athlete to advocate and serve on the national level regarding student-athlete experience and influence.
SAAC is focused on:
- Providing a space for advocacy and the student-athlete voice, as well as increasing understanding of the national collegiate landscape.
- Creating and encouraging leadership development and personal enhancement for the executive board, representatives and members.
- Encouraging positive student-athlete community and culture across sports and the Cal Athletic Department.
Instagram: @cal.saac
Cal Student-Athlete Led Organizations
Cal Student-Athlete Led Organizations are by and for Cal student-athletes - designed to build community and provide opportunities for positive social, educational and leadership development in a peer-to-peer setting.
The Cameron Institute supports a variety of Student-Athlete Led Organizations every year in their missions of creating community and opportunity for student-athletes.
Interested in learning more? Explore SAAC and SALOs!
