Indiana University Athletics
IU to host Hoosier Network Event
9/23/2015 2:36:00 PM | Student-Athlete Services
Sports won't last forever. The number of college athletes who turn professional is slim, with data from the NCAA suggesting less than one percent of college athletes can turn their sports into playing careers.
Knowing that, Indiana athletes need to balance their collegiate careers with planning for the future. The juggling act can become daunting, especially when they're asked to balance sports with schoolwork already.
IU's Leadership and Life Skills office is there to help.
The office will host a career fair called the "Hoosier Network Event" at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Henke Hall of Champions. Approximately 20 vendors are expected to be in attendance.
"Throughout the year, we have numerous employers who reach out to us and are interested in our kids," Director of Leadership and Life Skills Lisa Franz said. "We thought, why don't we just have our own (career fair)?"
Among the vendors will be a variety of local and national employers who have both internships and job opportunities. In addition to employers, representatives from graduate schools, law schools and medical schools are also expected to be in attendance.
The Leadership and Life Skills office is hoping to provide the student-athletes with advice on anything from resumes to elevator pitches.
Employers will be asked to give feedback on the athletes in attendance and provide tips for future job and internship searches in addition to targeting students for themselves.
"It works both ways," Franz said. "Both parties will be getting something out of it."
Franz said the Hoosier Network Event will have a relaxed atmosphere with no large displays or intimidating booths.
The night will include a 20-30 minute etiquette portion where the students will receive advice on the specific details of how to eat or drink around employers and how they should shake hands and hold conversations.
"It's not a full-blown etiquette dinner, but it should help teach some of the students the networking etiquette they'll need before we kind of unleash the hounds," Franz said.
Franz encouraged Indiana athletes of all grades and experience to attend the event. She said there's benefits for everyone, from the fifth-year senior looking to secure a job or the freshman just trying to learn about what opportunities are out there.
The Hoosier Network Event is just one of a handful of upcoming events the Leadership and Life Skills office will be organizing over the next few months. Franz said athletes should continue to check in on the events calendar for updates on guest speakers and similar career-related events in the near future.
Putting on these types of events is important, Franz said, because athletes' schedules often conflict with the school's previously scheduled career fairs. Nights like Thursday will give student-athletes the opportunities to mingle with professionals and explore post-college opportunities not related to their sports.
An athlete's career is short and fragile to begin with. Just because they're competing now doesn't mean they can't begin preparing for the future, Franz said.
"We want them to tear it up in their field of competition. We want them to be at the head of the class when they're in the classroom," Franz said. "We also want them to make sure that they're cognizant that their overall experience here is preparing them for the next step."
Knowing that, Indiana athletes need to balance their collegiate careers with planning for the future. The juggling act can become daunting, especially when they're asked to balance sports with schoolwork already.
IU's Leadership and Life Skills office is there to help.
The office will host a career fair called the "Hoosier Network Event" at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Henke Hall of Champions. Approximately 20 vendors are expected to be in attendance.
"Throughout the year, we have numerous employers who reach out to us and are interested in our kids," Director of Leadership and Life Skills Lisa Franz said. "We thought, why don't we just have our own (career fair)?"
Among the vendors will be a variety of local and national employers who have both internships and job opportunities. In addition to employers, representatives from graduate schools, law schools and medical schools are also expected to be in attendance.
The Leadership and Life Skills office is hoping to provide the student-athletes with advice on anything from resumes to elevator pitches.
Employers will be asked to give feedback on the athletes in attendance and provide tips for future job and internship searches in addition to targeting students for themselves.
"It works both ways," Franz said. "Both parties will be getting something out of it."
Franz said the Hoosier Network Event will have a relaxed atmosphere with no large displays or intimidating booths.
The night will include a 20-30 minute etiquette portion where the students will receive advice on the specific details of how to eat or drink around employers and how they should shake hands and hold conversations.
"It's not a full-blown etiquette dinner, but it should help teach some of the students the networking etiquette they'll need before we kind of unleash the hounds," Franz said.
Franz encouraged Indiana athletes of all grades and experience to attend the event. She said there's benefits for everyone, from the fifth-year senior looking to secure a job or the freshman just trying to learn about what opportunities are out there.
The Hoosier Network Event is just one of a handful of upcoming events the Leadership and Life Skills office will be organizing over the next few months. Franz said athletes should continue to check in on the events calendar for updates on guest speakers and similar career-related events in the near future.
Putting on these types of events is important, Franz said, because athletes' schedules often conflict with the school's previously scheduled career fairs. Nights like Thursday will give student-athletes the opportunities to mingle with professionals and explore post-college opportunities not related to their sports.
An athlete's career is short and fragile to begin with. Just because they're competing now doesn't mean they can't begin preparing for the future, Franz said.
"We want them to tear it up in their field of competition. We want them to be at the head of the class when they're in the classroom," Franz said. "We also want them to make sure that they're cognizant that their overall experience here is preparing them for the next step."
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