The purpose of the virtual career series is to help our student-athletes to grow personally, by learning about different career options, how individuals have successfully made the jump from student-athlete to life after sport, and how they can apply these lessons to their own life. This will be accomplished through interviews with Forever Panthers and friends of Pitt Athletics who are thriving in their respective fields. There will also be videos focused on skill development such as developing an elevator pitch, creating a resume, and interviewing.
From the court to the front office
Zenab Keita is a Manager of Partnership Development with the Golden State Warriors. Hear about her journey from the hardwood as a student-athlete at Yale to the front office of Golden State.
0:43 Deciding to get a master's degree
2:00 Figuring out how to network and first steps
4:55 Choosing the Dolphins for her first job
9:47 Changing roles in the organization
STEM Career Advice with Career Consultant, Emily Bennett
Emily Bennett is in her 6th year as a Career Consultant and works with our Science, Technology, and Math students. She received a Bachelor of Art in English from Point Park, and a Master of Education in Higher Education Management from Pitt. Hear some of the ways you can make the most of your opportunities at Pitt and stand out from the competition in the job search.
0:32 Advice for students on the job search
3:15 Industry trends that STM students need to be aware of
8:11 Ways you can build skills to make yourself more marketable
Breaking through: From Recruit to NFL Draft Pick & Life After
This week’s interview features former Pitt All-American, and NFL draft pick, Dorin Dickerson. Dorin played 6 years in the NFL and details his journey as a top recruit, adjusting to college before finally breaking out as a senior, becoming a pro, and his transition out of the game.
1:08 Deciding to stay home and go to Pitt
3:51 Working through adversity before becoming a star
8:03 Training for the draft, finding an agent, grinding to make a roster
11:50 Expectations of the NFL vs reality of making it
creating your own opportunities
Melanie Feldman is a Volleyball Forever Panther, and she has built a successful career working for some of the top companies in Silicon Valley. She has also co-authored a book titled “Bold: Get Noticed and Get Hired.” Most recently she started her own company, Going Places, which is focused on providing you with everything you need to land a job.
0:46 Working three unpaid internships. How she found them, and how she made it work financially.
3:24 Finding her first job
6:15 How she landed an interview with Neil Everett from SportsCenter
10:55 What compelled Melanie to write her book
13:50 How she knew it was the right time to change jobs
18:50 What if you don't feel like the bold approach is right for you?
23:15 Advice around moving around geographically for your career
24:10 Starting her own business "Going Places"
getting ready for the real world
Hear about Softball Forever Panther Alexis Solak’s adventure through the student-athlete experience which included helping lead the softball team to within an out of an ACC Championship, tying a school record, going through a coaching change, and working two internships. This helped set her up for a full time role with Teamworks upon graduation
0:47 Breaking the grand slam record
1:50 What made the ACC Coastal Championship team so special
4:27 Going through a coaching change
6:26 Working two internships, and what she learned by doing it
10:15 How softball prepared Alexis for life after sport
pursuing a phd
Randi went from competing as an undergraduate student-athlete in women’s basketball at Robert Morris University, straight to one of the top ranked Sport Psychology PhD programs in the country at the University of North Texas. Hear about her journey, her decision to continue her education, what she has learned so far, and what might be next for her.
0:52 Deciding to go straight for her PhD
2:45 Finding a love for teaching
4:25 Breaking down some of the misconceptions of sport psychologists
6:58 Randi's experience working with systems within athletics
8:15 Advice for student-athletes who aspire to further their education
Majoring in Chemical Engineering
Hear about how Gillian blazed her own trail as a student-athlete at Pitt. She majored in Chemical Engineering while becoming an All-American in track and a national qualifier in cross country. Today she is employed as a Business Technology Analyst with Deloitte Consulting LLP.
0:54 Deciding to major in Chemical Engineering
1:43 Balancing majoring in engineering with being a student-athlete
2:52 Seeking out activities to get involved in outside of academics and athletics
4:01 Skills learned from running track and cross country that Gillian uses now
5:15 Working in a role outside of her major
6:42 Advice for student-athletes interested in majoring in engineering
8:30 Becoming a trail blazer as a cross country and track runner
the journey to med school
This week’s interview features a conversation with Track and Field Forever Panther Andin Fosam. Hear about Andin’s journey from walk-on student-athlete to MD-PhD candidate at Yale.
0:53 How Andin's upbringing and parents helped shape her
4:05 Balancing her sport, two difficult majors, and a minor
7:42 Why she got so involved in different organizations on campus
11:10 Deciding to go to med school and what it takes to get there
16:13 Pursuing an opportunity with the National Institute of Health (NIH)
20:53 Immersing herself in research
LIFE OF A HOOPER
This week’s video features an interview with professional basketball player Coron Williams. Coron has been playing professional basketball for 6 years. He's played in 5 different countries, and had a stint in the NBA G-League. Hear about his professional journey and how you can apply his lessons learned to your own life.
0:32 Deciding to grad transfer to Wake Forest for his 5th year
2:30 Figuring out he had the skills to go pro
5:48 Lessons learned from changing teams
8:40 Why his faith drives who he is
11:53 What does life after basketball look like?
Being an International student-athlete
This video features an interview with Forever Panther Gabriela Rezende, a former Women’s Tennis Student-Athlete. She details her unique journey to Pitt as an international student-athlete from Brazil, her path to earning a job with UPMC, and her decision to continue her education.
0:35 Summarizing her experience as a student-athlete
1:35 Advice for international student-athletes
3:57 Working internships while being a student-athlete
5:32 Transitioning from student-athlete to UPMC employee
5:57 Deciding to pursue a graduate degree
COACHING
In an interview with Women's Lacrosse Head Coach Emily Boissonneault, learn more about her journey from student-athlete to head coach!
3:17 Transferable skills from player to coach, learning patience and empathy
5:09 Playing professionally and competing at an elite level
7:15 Winning a national championship
10:19 Starting a program and taking on new opportunities
16:44 Advice for current student-athletes who plan on getting into coaching