14 athletics fundraising.I am not really sure on other industries, but there are many avenues for professional development in the sport industry. The NCAA hosts many of their own leadership and professional development programs, McLendon Foundation, the Bud Selig Sports Law and Business program at Arizona State, and many professional organizations have their own programs as well. Stark: Depending on what company I was at, they would have clearly written progressions that I could make while working there. So, I always would ask my employers “How do I get to the next step?” or “What’s done differently at that next step that I’m not doing now?” and these discussions typically happened durings a 1:1 meeting with the people above me. It was really helpful to discuss those actionable steps on how to get there and what were those defining moments that helped them get to their position in their professional career. Overall though, just always being on top of it and always trying to be proactive is huge in the professional world. Nelson: I always dedicate time on the weekend to do what I was passionate about, which is social media. It helped me keep my passions alive and time to just have for myself. I also am never afraid to ask for help or feedback. This is important to grow within your industry and shows your company that you are willing to learn more. I think building and growth comes from learning from your mistakes and being uncomfortable. It can be difficult at times but I truly believe this is where you grow the most. I always go to people that I trust to know my strengths and weaknesses. Someone who has trained you and seen your work ethics I believe can guide you. I always reach out to people that I respect or trust. People are always willing to help and asking can never hurt. What did you find the most rewarding about post grad life? Wynne: The most rewarding part has been to work with the student-athletes following in my footsteps at my beloved alma mater. Working with the younger generation or even a few athletes I played with during my time who are in their final years of eligibility has been such a cool experience to give back to them and help enhance their experiences. Stark: That I can do hard things by myself. You have to hype yourself up when you graduate in the sense that you have to do this now- the super fun times are over. And figuring out that you can make your own way and bounce back from getting laid How do you keep the creative juices flowing in the midst of all the change that comes after graduation? Wynne: Thankfully my job allows some room for me to be creative. I am in charge of socials for the fundraising department, I create leadership development programming for student-athlete development, and I have had the opportunity to plan and create engagement events for the athletes. Stark: Community! Talking to people who are going through the same thing you are going through, whether that’s my roommates, friends from different universities or even people who are older than me that have already been through exactly what I was experiencing was really important in proving to myself that I was not alone. There’s always someone else who is going through the same thing or knows how to get through the same thing. Nelson: With life changes, you change. I have changed so much this past year and always take time for myself when I can. That could be going on a walk, talking to a friend, listening to a podcast or creating something. I believe doing things for yourself can allow you to recharge with all the chaos that may be going on. off. Not letting that keep me down for too long and continuing to find success in different industries completely. Nelson: The most rewarding part is looking back and seeing how much I have grown. I have been out of college a little over a year and looking back I have grown so much. The first year out can be one of the hardests years, which it was for me. Knowing I got through the hard part and learned from my mistakes allows me now to embrace life with its challenges. I also do not compare my journey with anyone else. Being content and happy with your personal journey is also rewarding after all the obstacles that you overcome along the way. Do you have any words of wisdom or advice for people who are looking for careers in the Communications or Media fields when they graduate? Wynne: My advice for people who are looking for careers in Strategic Communications should look to participate on their campus’s National Student Advertising Competition team. That gave me such a realistic experience into what a career in strat
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