13A & stitution where I received a completely full scholarship that covered every expense. However, when I transferred, I took a reduction in scholarship and had to pick up a second job on top of school and softball to pay for my housing, groceries, and other bills. Creating a monthly budget during those times saved me so much. I was able to build a savings account and prioritize the things I needed to through my budget. I started with my bills and savings account, and then left a small portion for “social life” to go out to eat with friends or shop. Stark: I actually still live at home so I don’t have to do any of those things yet, but I have plenty of peers that don’t. I know that for a lot of my friends who do live alone, it’s almost like a natural instinctual thing as to how to be an adult. If you don’t do it, you will reap the consequences – you either get right or get left with it. Nelson: This transition was pretty difficult. Since I had moved so far away, I had to learn how to be an adult with bills to pay. This took me a few months to learn how to budget my finances and know where my money was going. Sometimes you just have to learn by trial and error and finding your personal balance. Never compare yourself with others, everyone is on a different path of life so just focusing on yourself is the best thing you can do. I wish I could go back and take the time to make an organized budget of where my money would go. It is so important to understand all aspects of budgeting based on your salary and bills you have to pay. If you go into this knowing how much you can spend on certain things, this can set you up in the right direction. Using an app to budget is also extremely helpful when starting out. How did you combat the lack of structure or routine that typically is consistent within the college environment? Wynne: I am constantly applying myself for new professional development opportunities in the sport industry and focusing a lot on networking. I am a part of the McLendon Foundation that uplifts careers in sport administration. I am also involved in a few NCAA programs like the Emerging Leaders Seminar and the Foundations of Fundraising programs, both which are to propel me in my career of intercollegiate Wynne: In order to create a sense of continued structure, I got a second job to fill my free time and create a routine. In the mornings I would be in my office in the athletic department, in the afternoons I would go home to do homework and eat lunch, then in the evenings I would serve and bartend at a local restaurant. This constantly on-the-go structure helped me replicate what a full day schedule would be like if I was still playing softball. Stark: A lot of my friends in college didn’t really adhere to a certain structure because they didn’t want to or didn’t have to, but I was always one of the people who never missed class ever. But also, now it’s easier to find structure because you have to adhere to what your company’s scheduling is. You have to be only for those 8 hours, unless your company has a more flexible structure. And then outside of that you can have regular set times of being a human being rotting in your bed, going to the gym or whatever you want to get done. Nelson: In college, I can easily say I was very structured and organized. After I started my job I found it very hard to manage my time to its fullest. If you can make a schedule for yourself weekly and stick to it your body will adjust and it becomes easier to have a work life balance. I had to make the time to do things for myself during the week so I could feel like I still had structure. Building a schedule that works for you and something attainable can allow you to stay motivated and consistent during your work week. How do you continue to evolve and keep up with the industry? Any tips on how or where to go for professional development content once in the industry?
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