Orange Student-Athletes Preparing for the Future
2/6/2015 9:12:00 AM | General, Academics
Syracuse student-athletes traded their uniforms and workout gear for dresses, suits and ties on Wednesday evening, shifting their training regimen from the practice fields and weight room to face-to-face meetings and handshakes in the Carrier Dome. More than 150 Orange student-athletes exercised their networking skills with prospective employers at the Student-Athlete Career Night. Representatives from Northwestern Mutual, Ernst & Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Macy's, and the PEACE Corps. were among the more than 30 organizations in attendance.
The event, organized by Co-Life Skills Coordinators Mark Trumbo and Elena Paolini and Career Services representative Trenna Hill, helped Orange student-athletes develop networking skills as part of the Life Skills Career Development series.
The evening began an ice-breaker during which students and professionals interacted by answering a series of questions while enjoying dinner provided by Dome Catering.
"You get to meet so many great people who really care about Syracuse and care about you and want to see you be successful," said senior football cornerback Eric Jackson. "They teach you a lot of good values and good information, and want to give you a job."
Former Orange standout and Heisman Trophy runner-up Don McPherson returned to his Alma Mater to serve as the keynote speaker. He encouraged the student-athletes to connect beyond their immediate circle of contacts and explore opportunities within the Syracuse University community.
"I got way more out of Syracuse then what Syracuse got out of me," McPherson said.
Syracuse Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross encouraged the students to find their own passion and do what you love. He challenged the group to use the resources around them to allow them to maximize their potential.
"It has been great listening to Daryl Gross and Don McPherson speak. I am speaking to companies I never thought I would talk to," said Student-Athlete Advisory Council Secretary and soccer student-athlete Blake Johnson.
Gabriella Kreuz, a graduate student on the cross country and track & field teams, connected with McPherson on a personal level.
"He is an advocate against men's violence against women and we got to connect," she said. "My campaign, 'Love Doesn't Shove,' for teen dating violence awareness this month is similar to the message he shares with people."
During the second part of the evening, the student-athletes moved around the Dome field to speak with employers and exchange contact information.
"Glad we came to the student-athlete event tonight," said a C.H. Robinson representative. "Some of the students we are talking to, because of their competitive nature, in my industry in supply chain is extremely valuable. We are looking for students like this every day."
The student-athletes shared their academic accomplishments, professional goals and personal stories with those in attendance.
Others found the networking time invaluable and made unique connections that helped sparked conversation.
Senior hurdler Donald Pollitt found out by speaking with an employer they have visited the same country recently.
"I think the importance of events like this is the chance you have to network with people," said senior track & field student-athlete Donald Pollitt. "I just spoke to the representative from Fox Syracuse and she told me she was in Vietnam last summer. That was an instant connection because i visited Vietnam last July, as well, to participate in the Coach for College program. That connection opened the door for us to exchange phone numbers and emails and I will talk to her again in the future."
The event, organized by Co-Life Skills Coordinators Mark Trumbo and Elena Paolini and Career Services representative Trenna Hill, helped Orange student-athletes develop networking skills as part of the Life Skills Career Development series.
The evening began an ice-breaker during which students and professionals interacted by answering a series of questions while enjoying dinner provided by Dome Catering.
"You get to meet so many great people who really care about Syracuse and care about you and want to see you be successful," said senior football cornerback Eric Jackson. "They teach you a lot of good values and good information, and want to give you a job."
Former Orange standout and Heisman Trophy runner-up Don McPherson returned to his Alma Mater to serve as the keynote speaker. He encouraged the student-athletes to connect beyond their immediate circle of contacts and explore opportunities within the Syracuse University community.
"I got way more out of Syracuse then what Syracuse got out of me," McPherson said.
Syracuse Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross encouraged the students to find their own passion and do what you love. He challenged the group to use the resources around them to allow them to maximize their potential.
"It has been great listening to Daryl Gross and Don McPherson speak. I am speaking to companies I never thought I would talk to," said Student-Athlete Advisory Council Secretary and soccer student-athlete Blake Johnson.
Gabriella Kreuz, a graduate student on the cross country and track & field teams, connected with McPherson on a personal level.
"He is an advocate against men's violence against women and we got to connect," she said. "My campaign, 'Love Doesn't Shove,' for teen dating violence awareness this month is similar to the message he shares with people."
During the second part of the evening, the student-athletes moved around the Dome field to speak with employers and exchange contact information.
"Glad we came to the student-athlete event tonight," said a C.H. Robinson representative. "Some of the students we are talking to, because of their competitive nature, in my industry in supply chain is extremely valuable. We are looking for students like this every day."
The student-athletes shared their academic accomplishments, professional goals and personal stories with those in attendance.
Others found the networking time invaluable and made unique connections that helped sparked conversation.
Senior hurdler Donald Pollitt found out by speaking with an employer they have visited the same country recently.
"I think the importance of events like this is the chance you have to network with people," said senior track & field student-athlete Donald Pollitt. "I just spoke to the representative from Fox Syracuse and she told me she was in Vietnam last summer. That was an instant connection because i visited Vietnam last July, as well, to participate in the Coach for College program. That connection opened the door for us to exchange phone numbers and emails and I will talk to her again in the future."
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