Michael Leon Frederick '05 has been named Catawba College's new Director of Internships and Career Planning. Frederick brings with him fourteen years of student service experience.
In his new role at Catawba, Frederick will assume a number of responsibilities. Among these, the College’s current Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), Catawba to Career (C2C). This robust and innovative program focuses on career exploration and awareness for students who are preparing for post-graduation opportunities, as well as those still exploring possible majors and minors. Frederick will also provide career planning and referrals to assist Catawba students with the career development process, including resumes, cover letters, personal statements, interviewing, networking, branding, and social media. In addition, he will bring employers to campus for interviews, mock interviews, and to speak to classes and student organizations and will be responsible for planning and executing job fairs and on-campus recruiting events.
Prior to coming to Catawba, Frederick held various student service roles in higher education, earning a Master of Arts in Higher Education. He is currently working on a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership and Higher Education Administration.
Frederick, a 2005 graduate of Catawba College and former student-athlete, looks forward to better preparing students for success after college by providing them with experiences as soon as they step foot on campus. These experiences will help students develop the soft skills necessary to thrive in today’s workforce.
“I am very passionate about helping students find their calling in life,” says Frederick. “I firmly believe that you can only become truly accomplished at something you love.”
Frederick recalls growing up in single parent home in a low socio-economic environment that knew very little about college. He suffers from severe dyslexia and was a first-generation college student. Despite the odds, he says he found his calling in life and shares his testimony with every student that he meets with, so they can understand the importance of perseverance and goal setting. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time and traveling with his wife Tinea and their four children. Malachi, Zaniyah, Jeremiah and Makiyah.
