University of Toledo Athletics

Networking Connects Student-Athletes to Potential Futures Outside of Their Sport

By Jillian Lehman, Academic Coordinator/Coordinator for Student-Athlete Development
Feb. 28, 2020
 
For the Student-Athlete Academic Services office, having student-athletes walk across the stage with a diploma in their hand is our number-one goal. However, what happens when these student-athletes leave our institution and no longer have their sport, teammates and coaches for their comfort zone? Equally important to graduating is preparing student-athletes for life after sport.
 
Life skills or professional development is an area of Student-Athlete Academic Services that many do not think about. Yet, providing student-athletes the skills and mindset to be successful in the real world is essential and impactful. That’s why life-skills programming, like our recent Student-Athlete Networking Night, is so important.
 
Last Monday, Feb. 24, we hosted our third-annual Student-Athlete Networking Night in Savage Arena. The event allows our student-athletes to get in front of companies and employers in a professional setting. The opportunity to network and have informal conversations prepare the student-athletes for interviews and life after college -- not to mention, it is also a great experience. The main focus with this event is networking, so it is somewhat different than a career fair, where the desired outcome is to walk away with a job. Nevertheless, sometimes our students are able to land internships, volunteer experience, co-ops, etc. This is a bonus!
 
The event is mandatory for student-athletes who have junior academic status. Juniors are not yet graduating, but are starting to explore their job search and their career aspirations. The event is also encouraged for sophomores and seniors. Senior student-athletes who are unsure of the next step can also find this event beneficial. Not only can they meet employers from different companies, but they can also explore options for continuing education.
 
The majority of the employers who participate in our event are located in Northwest Ohio. Our goal is to feature companies that accommodate all majors of our student-athletes. This past year they ranged from Amazon, Target, Quicken Loans, ProMedica, Team Sports, US Secret Service, BCSN and Marathon, to name a few. 
 
As we start to prepare for next year’s event, it is our hope to continue growing in numbers and host an event that continues to benefit both our student-athletes and employers.

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