Kansas Athletics Holds Annual Career Day

Feb. 28, 2007

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Kansas Athletics and its Student-Athlete Academic Support department hosted its second annual student-athlete career day on February 28. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” />

In all, 19 employers, including Target, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” />LawrenceParks and Recreation, New England Financial, New York Life, the KU Graduate School and the Topeka Police Department, brought employment information for prospective employees to the WagnonStudent-AthleteCenter.

Laura Jacobson, Associate Director of Academic and Career Counseling, coordinated the event.

“This was a good opportunity for our student-athletes to interact with employers in a casual setting,” Jacobson said. “What student-athletes don’t realize is the inherent skills they have from their sport, such as self-discipline self-motivation, competitiveness and organization because they’ve had to organized their lives around practice, meetings and class. They might not have time to have a part time job, so what they are doing is experience; it’s just a different kind.”

Whitney Sondall of Eli Lilly agreed with Jacobsen about the unique experiences student-athletes develop.

“We are looking for motivated people who are looking to be their own boss, but also work really hard and hold themselves accountable and responsible as well,” Sondall said. “They have the drive and are dedicated and have those time management skills.”