Temple University Athletics
Brooke Williams (left) with Kristen Kemnitzer and Avery Ellis
NCAA Career in Sports Forum Recap - Brooke Williams
6.13.16 | General, Women's Lacrosse
From June 2-5, three Temple student-athletes were among the 200 across the nation invited to attend the 2016 NCAA Career in Sports Forum. Football's Avery Ellis, fencing's Kristen Kemnitzer and lacrosse's Brooke Williams all wrote about their experiences for OwlSports.com. Our second recap is courtesy of Williams, next year's SAAC President.
As a rising senior in the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, I have been immersed in a curriculum educating students about the endless possibilities in the sports industry, whether it be professional, collegiate, or recreational. Throughout my coursework here at Temple, the study of the sports industry has always captured my full interest. However, it wasn't until I was given the opportunity to attend the Career in Sports Forum at the NCAA Headquarters in Indianapolis where I found my true passion for sport within the college athletics community.
As I attended the four-day forum, I was exposed to a deeper understanding of the sports world and gained crucial knowledge of the industry well beyond what I could learn in the classroom. Despite my experience working within our athletic department at Temple, there were still some gaps, unanswered questions, and even careers that I wasn't aware of before my attendance at CSF. Thus, it was the intangible information I learned during my time at the forum that was able to fill these gaps of curiosity. I was imparted critical knowledge I didn't even know I was looking for, but am now thrilled that it found me.
The four days at the CSF consisted of resume building, networking skills, and even understanding the balance of work and home as you enter a profession that frequently unites the two. From a less individual standpoint, we listened to speakers talk about what it means to brand yourself, to recognize emotional intelligence, and defining our 'why' and who we are as members of this profession. Each day also involved panels in which members of a unique field talked about where they are, how they got there, and what they have learned by doing so. Concluding each of these sessions, we were given the chance to ask questions and engage with these professionals. This interaction after the speeches, and even throughout the entire experience, created a strong sense of personal connection between the speakers and students, ensuring we never felt as though we were being talked at, but instead talked with, promoting more significant conversation.
Personally, one of my biggest takeaways from the weekend was the DiSC assessment. This behavior assessment based off a series of personal questions can be applied in any setting, whether it be in a business or on the field. For me, this analysis proved to be one of the most valuable assets in that I am now able to understand and incorporate my top behavioral traits when working in not only a professional setting, but also as a member of my team and my community. In small groups, we spoke about ourselves and how we grew up learning the golden rule of treating others the way you want to be treated. By doing so, you are able to bring out the best in those around you.
Come Sunday, from the second I left the forum, I knew that what I had just been a part of was much bigger than myself. As student-athletes, the network of opportunity at our fingertips is seemingly endless. The ideas, lessons, and stories that the person sitting next to us has are more beneficial than you may ever imagine. Despite the differences among us as far as division and sports, the unique backgrounds behind each individual proved there's more than just the student-athlete identity, and that was amazing. Each person in that room was an agent of change, and that was something we talked about frequently as attendees of the CSF as we represented our university, conferences, and teams.
Opportunities such as this do not come about often, so having the chance to be a part of this amazing group of 200 student-athletes; all leaders and driven for success in their own careers, was truly an inspiring experience and something I will never forget. It's exciting to know that those who surrounded me this weekend will be my future colleagues and the future leaders within college athletics. This opportunity has given me a significant appreciation for college athletics and its impact on each and every student-athlete, along with the doors it opens. I have also been able to reflect on the importance of making a plan and sticking to your goals, whether they're in two years, five years, or ten years. In the end, what I really love about this industry is that, much like the sports themselves, everyone is looking for the best in you and wants to help you get to where you want to be. Thus, this is not an individual industry, but rather a unified team.
By Brooke Williams, Temple Lacrosse
Photo Gallery
As a rising senior in the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, I have been immersed in a curriculum educating students about the endless possibilities in the sports industry, whether it be professional, collegiate, or recreational. Throughout my coursework here at Temple, the study of the sports industry has always captured my full interest. However, it wasn't until I was given the opportunity to attend the Career in Sports Forum at the NCAA Headquarters in Indianapolis where I found my true passion for sport within the college athletics community.
As I attended the four-day forum, I was exposed to a deeper understanding of the sports world and gained crucial knowledge of the industry well beyond what I could learn in the classroom. Despite my experience working within our athletic department at Temple, there were still some gaps, unanswered questions, and even careers that I wasn't aware of before my attendance at CSF. Thus, it was the intangible information I learned during my time at the forum that was able to fill these gaps of curiosity. I was imparted critical knowledge I didn't even know I was looking for, but am now thrilled that it found me.
The four days at the CSF consisted of resume building, networking skills, and even understanding the balance of work and home as you enter a profession that frequently unites the two. From a less individual standpoint, we listened to speakers talk about what it means to brand yourself, to recognize emotional intelligence, and defining our 'why' and who we are as members of this profession. Each day also involved panels in which members of a unique field talked about where they are, how they got there, and what they have learned by doing so. Concluding each of these sessions, we were given the chance to ask questions and engage with these professionals. This interaction after the speeches, and even throughout the entire experience, created a strong sense of personal connection between the speakers and students, ensuring we never felt as though we were being talked at, but instead talked with, promoting more significant conversation.
Personally, one of my biggest takeaways from the weekend was the DiSC assessment. This behavior assessment based off a series of personal questions can be applied in any setting, whether it be in a business or on the field. For me, this analysis proved to be one of the most valuable assets in that I am now able to understand and incorporate my top behavioral traits when working in not only a professional setting, but also as a member of my team and my community. In small groups, we spoke about ourselves and how we grew up learning the golden rule of treating others the way you want to be treated. By doing so, you are able to bring out the best in those around you.
Come Sunday, from the second I left the forum, I knew that what I had just been a part of was much bigger than myself. As student-athletes, the network of opportunity at our fingertips is seemingly endless. The ideas, lessons, and stories that the person sitting next to us has are more beneficial than you may ever imagine. Despite the differences among us as far as division and sports, the unique backgrounds behind each individual proved there's more than just the student-athlete identity, and that was amazing. Each person in that room was an agent of change, and that was something we talked about frequently as attendees of the CSF as we represented our university, conferences, and teams.
Opportunities such as this do not come about often, so having the chance to be a part of this amazing group of 200 student-athletes; all leaders and driven for success in their own careers, was truly an inspiring experience and something I will never forget. It's exciting to know that those who surrounded me this weekend will be my future colleagues and the future leaders within college athletics. This opportunity has given me a significant appreciation for college athletics and its impact on each and every student-athlete, along with the doors it opens. I have also been able to reflect on the importance of making a plan and sticking to your goals, whether they're in two years, five years, or ten years. In the end, what I really love about this industry is that, much like the sports themselves, everyone is looking for the best in you and wants to help you get to where you want to be. Thus, this is not an individual industry, but rather a unified team.
By Brooke Williams, Temple Lacrosse
Photo Gallery
Players Mentioned
A
/ Women's LacrosseTemple Men's Basketball | Babatunde Durodola Day In The Life
Saturday, September 13
Ep. 3: Temple Volleyball Head Coach Linda Hampton-Keith || Lacrosse Student-Athlete Jenna Facciolli
Friday, September 12
Ep. 2: Temple Football Alum Tyler Matakevich || Gymnastics Junior Amelia Budd
Friday, September 05
Elevate the Owls: Temple Athletics' Competitive Excellence Fund
Tuesday, September 02
