Three student-athletes take part in NCAA Career in Sports Forum
DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance College’s Erin Breece (Hamler, Ohio/Patrick Henry), Briawna Francis (Indianapolis, Ind./Avon) and Chelsey Strawser (Lewisburg, Ohio/Tri-County North) were three of more than 300 NCAA student-athletes from across the country who had the opportunity to get career guidance and network with athletics administrators and sports industry experts virtually from May 26-28 at the 2021 NCAA Career in Sports Forum.
DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance College's Erin Breece (Hamler, Ohio/Patrick Henry), Briawna Francis (Indianapolis, Ind./Avon) and Chelsey Strawser (Lewisburg, Ohio/Tri-County North) were three of more than 300 NCAA student-athletes from across the country who had the opportunity to get career guidance and network with athletics administrators and sports industry experts virtually from May 26-28 at the 2021 NCAA Career in Sports Forum.
Breece, a softball player, and Strawser, a member of the women's soccer program, each graduated from Defiance in May with a bachelor's degree in sport management and exercise science, respectively. Francis, also an exercise science major, completed her junior season in 2020-21 as a part of the women's basketball team.
"It was an incredibly empowering and enlightening experience to be one of the 300 student-athletes to be attending the NCAA Career in Sports Forum," Breece said. "I learned how to be the architect of my career through self-branding and networking with other professionals, and how to properly conduct myself through email and in-person. Overall, it was just an amazing experience that I will never forget because of the lessons I learned and the connections that I made."
The 2021 Career in Sports Forum brought together selected NCAA student-athletes to learn about and explore potential careers in sports, particularly college athletics. The unique virtual programming experience helps student-athletes chart their career paths with numerous opportunities to learn from current industry leaders.
"The forum was a great experience that presented potential opportunities in the sports career field," Francis said. "It also opened my eyes to how to transition from an athlete to something more. We heard from amazing speakers who provided lots of inspiration and I would highly recommend the forum."
Notable speakers covered the following topics and more to prepare attendees for success navigating their futures: self-awareness and its role in professional development; practical approaches to the sports job search; personal branding; developing a career plan; and managing yourself as a professional in the sports industry. Through online panels, engaging breakout sessions, keynote presentations and facilitated discussions, program participants completed their experience with a thorough understanding of athletics as a career path and where they fit into the industry's landscape.
"The forum was an amazing experience, and I encourage all that can to go through the application process," Strawser said. "I am super grateful for the opportunity to listen to many speakers and learn. There were so many things to take away from this forum. I think the biggest thing to take away is that you have to find your why and core values. After that, align your opportunities with your core values and chase happiness."
Attendees must be nominated by their school or conference, and only junior and senior student-athletes are eligible to attend. Nominees must have participated in an NCAA-sponsored sport during the current academic year at the time of the application deadline. Eligible student-athletes who have graduated before the forum dates are eligible to participate.