Using your athletic skills in a job search

As a student-athlete, there will be many demands on your valuable time during your undergraduate career. However, it is never too early to begin thinking about your future and making yourself as marketable as possible when you inevitably enter the world of work. Despite your hectic schedule, you may have opportunities for volunteerism, you could work with the Husky Sport program or get involved with the University's Community Outreach program, which often offers short term commitment opportunities for those looking to give back to their communities but don't seem to be able to find the time to make a long term commitment. In addition to these potential opportunities, you have already developed many skills, and will continue to develop many skills, which employers find valuable in their employees. So don't sell yourself short when preparing for interviews, writing cover letters and formulating your resume. Take the time to highlight these positive qualities and be prepared to transition them from the athletic field to the workplace!

As an athlete you are:

• Confident
• Goal oriented
• Always prepared
• Intrinsically motivated
• Competitive
• Aggressive
• Focused
• Willing to learn
• Disciplined
• Constantly striving to improve
• Always seeking out new challenges

As a student-athlete you have learned:

• How to balance the demands of academics and athletics (time-management)
• How to be accountable for your actions
• How to deal with adversity
• How to make good decisions quickly and under pressure
• How to be a team player and work with a group to meet a common goal
• How to accept constructive criticism as an opportunity for growth and development
• How to communicate with a vast array or individuals from a variety of upbringings and backgrounds
• How to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• How to carry out a game plan

Recognizing and acknowledging these transferrable skills in a resume or interview will make YOU more attractive to a potential employer. These skills and attributes are transferrable from your role as a student-athlete to any job your are seeking!