By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University women's track and field student-athlete Avery Mickelsen (Jr./So., Ephrata, WA/Ephrata HS) recently participated in the 2021 NCAA Career in Sports Forum, which was held online from May 26-28. The event was part of the NCAA's Leadership Development program.
The NCAA Career in Sports Forum provides a great opportunity for student-athletes to connect with coaches and administrators while learning about careers in sports, especially at the college level. Panels, breakout sessions, keynote speakers, and facilitated discussions help the attendees expand their knowledge of careers in sports.
Student-athletes learn the importance of self-awareness and developing the key elements of a sports job search. They also are encouraged to develop their own brand and build a career plan. Coaches and administrators help the student-athletes learn how to manage the challenges of being a professional in the sports industry.
"During the virtual Career in Sports Forum, I participated in three days of activities and sessions alongside 200 other student-athletes selected for the program," Mickelsen said. "Each day had a different theme related to preparing us for a future career in athletics, and the various speakers and panels taking place revolved around that daily theme. The three themes were Foundation, Framework, and Career Installation.
"I attended nine different keynote speeches on a wide variety of topics such as networking, finding your purpose, understanding your strengths, learning how the NCAA operates, and personal branding," Mickelsen recalled. "We also had the opportunity to learn about the different career paths you can take within athletics: external athletics, internal athletics, coaching, and professional sports. With this also came an amazing opportunity to ask questions and network with panelists on my selected topic -- internal athletics (work focused directly with people or student-athletes within the organization)."
In addition to the large virtual meetings, there were smaller meetings designed to help student-athletes focus on their areas of interest.
"I also participated in five different mentorship meetings with a smaller cohort of peers and a trained facilitator," Mickelsen continued. "In these meetings, we took a more personal approach to what we had learned in the large group setting and applied it to our own career goals."
Mickelsen kept busy throughout the Career in Sports Forum. She was provided with a lot of information that expanded her knowledge of college and professional athletics. She also received help in developing a plan for her future career.
"I was able to take away key points from all of the speakers and every session in which I participated," Mickelsen noted. "One of the most impactful things I learned was how important it is to identify your strengths, core values, and personal mission before pursuing whatever career path you choose. Creating a solid personal foundation, while also allowing yourself room to evolve and grow, is a lesson I will take with me."
Overall, it was a great experience for Mickelsen. She was able to learn about many aspects of working in athletics at a variety of levels.
"What I enjoyed most was the ability to explore what a career in athletic administration might look like, as well as the opportunity to build a network of peers and mentors within the sports world," Mickelsen said. "Before CSF, I had an idea, based on Willamette's athletic department, of what some career opportunities in sports might be. However, this experience really helped expand my view of all the different areas within administration and how different departments look within the NCAA's three divisions."
All of the events at the Career in Sports Forum took place online. Setting up opportunities for mentoring and learning can be difficult in an online setting, but Mickelsen credited the NCAA's preparation with making all three days interesting.
"The forum ran very smoothly online and it stayed engaging the whole time -- I was very impressed! Mickelsen noted. "The only downside to the virtual format was the lack of personal interaction with those not in your small cohort. However, the accessibility and flexibility of the format was a plus. I would have loved to meet everyone in person and experience CSF from that perspective, but at the end of the day, I am just very grateful that the forum took place and that Willamette Associate AD/Senior Woman Administrator Leslie Shevlin took the time to nominate me."
Mickelsen was impressed with her cohort facilitator, Washington State University Assistant Director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Development Shelby McKay, who added a great deal to the small group meetings. Following a successful experience during the CSF, Mickelsen looks forward to continuing to learn about careers in athletics.
"In addition to the amazing speakers and panelists, my cohort facilitator had the biggest impact on my CSF experience," Mickelsen commented. "Her mentorship, advice, and positive disposition during our sessions made a huge difference in my cohort's ability to network and form friendships. From CSF, there are several people I will continue to reach out to throughout this summer and in the future -- both student-athletes and administrators. I plan on pursuing informational interviews this summer and fall with several of the CSF presenters."
