The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, officially launched The Vol Edge, an innovative career readiness program designed to provide student scholars with the essential skills and transformative experiences needed to enhance their career prospects and foster personal growth.
The program debuted with The Vol Edge Career Kickoff, held on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the Humanities and Social Sciences Plaza, signaling the start of an exciting new chapter in student career development at the university.
“The launch of The Vol Edge marks an exciting milestone in our commitment to preparing UT students for life beyond the classroom,” said Krystyne Savarese, associate vice provost and executive director for the Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration. “This program empowers students to build essential skills, gain transformative experiences, and confidently articulate their unique aspirations and goals. We are thrilled to get things underway and look forward to supporting our students as they take charge of their futures.”
Attendees expressed enthusiasm about the program’s offerings and the opportunities it provides. “I definitely want to look into the internships part of the program since I’m graduating,” noted one scholar. “I need to find out what I need to do. I think that’s what I’m most excited about.” 
Other students highlighted the practical aspects of the program, with one mentioning they were “definitely excited about being able to do the prep interviews for when we’re in the real world getting real jobs.” Adding they thought that interview preparation would be the most beneficial for their specific needs.
Recognizing that career support and readiness are essential for student success, The Vol Edge provides a comprehensive approach to career preparation.
At UTK, we don’t believe in recruiting first-year students, but future alumni,” said Vice Provost for Student Success Amber Williams. Vol Edge is the next step in realizing that commitment. We are committed to ensuring that every student thrives in the classroom and beyond. As a campus community, we’ve worked on this project for three years, and it’s great to see it come to life.
The Vol Edge program will take a three-phased approach to help scholars build the skills and experience employers are looking for. The first part of the program is available now, with the next stages becoming available between fall 2025 and fall 2026. 
John Zomchick, provost of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, emphasized the program’s impact: “The Vol Edge program offers our students hands-on career-building opportunities that will build their confidence and make them ready for their future careers.”
The Vol Edge program is accessible to all UT students, empowering them to take charge of their future and graduate with confidence. Scholars are encouraged to explore The Vol Edge’s self-paced, online learning plans – available now – to take the next step in their career readiness journey.
Here’s what students can expect with the online learning plans:
- Flexible, online learning plans designed to fit into a scholar’s schedule, that can be completed in just 50-60 minutes
- Convenient progress checkpoints, allowing students to pause and resume in 10-15-minute increments
- Customized plans tailored to align with a scholar’s unique career goals
- Pre- and post-experience guidance to help students make the most of their learning journey
As the program continues to roll out in phases, it is set to revolutionize how universities approach student success and career readiness. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to visit The Vol Edge website for more information and to explore opportunities for involvement in this groundbreaking initiative.
