Approximately 30 businesses participated in MSU's Student Athlete Networking Night on Tuesday.
#ItJustMeansMore: Networking Night A Success
September 25, 2018 | Athletics, Athletic Academics, Student-Athlete Development
by Caleb Garner, Graduate Assistant/Communications
STARKVILLE – Have a Plan B.
That was the message Tuesday night at Mississippi State's Student Athlete Networking Night, held in the Bryce Griffis Boardroom of the Palmeiro Center. Over 30 businesses were represented, with 10 former MSU student athletes present to meet with current Bulldogs about their futures.
"Everybody needs to have a Plan B," Director of Athletics John Cohen said. "It is our goal for everybody here to strive to be the best athlete they can be, but all of them need a Plan B. This was an opportunity not only for them to speak to others in the room, but to spark interest in and think about what's next for them. We're going to start investing a lot of time in what's next, because it is critically important."
For many student athletes, like track and field's JT Mackay, MSU's focus on developing them not only to become the best athletically, but also in the classroom and for a life after sports is paramount.
"One thing that Mississippi State does extremely well is focus on work in the classroom as well as postgraduate careers," Mackay said. "They are going to prepare you to be the best athlete you can be, but also the best person you can be. That was one thing that attracted me when I was being recruited. That is something that has been very important to me and they have definitely stuck to the core of that in the time that I've been here."
While the room was filled with predominantly current Bulldogs, there were a few who returned to campus that were in the same shoes not too long ago, such as women's basketball's Chinwe Okorie and football's Rufus Warren. Both, like Cohen, stressed the importance of having a plan for post-athletic careers.
"It is the most important thing, because it's best to have two plans than just one," Okorie said. "If the first plan doesn't work, you always have that fallback plan. It gives you confidence and a peace of mind. It also shows you how far you can go as an individual, because sometimes you are only viewed as a student athlete. This event helps show them that there's more to you than just being a student athlete."
Warren added, "A lot of athletes, just like I did, want to play professionally. It doesn't always work out like that. As a former athlete, I think it's always nice to have something in your back pocket, just in case your ultimate goal doesn't happen."
Softball's Emily Heimberger noted that Networking Night not only affords MSU student athletes a time in their busy schedules to focus on their futures, but also allows them to do so in an inviting environment.
"As student athletes, we don't get as many opportunities to immerse ourselves in things like this that help us focus on our career because of how demanding our schedules are," Heimberger said. "This is just a great opportunity that they have offered us that allows us to meet new people and possibly find internships and even job opportunities in an environment that is very comfortable and welcoming as well. This is such a great experience and opportunity for us."
Riley Self of the Bulldog baseball team added that it also showed he and his fellow athletes that a normal life outside of sports is possible, especially with the odds of competing professionally being so low.
"It's great seeing all of these people who came out to be able to speak with us," Self said. "It's cool being able to talk to them, see exactly what they do and what you could do to have a good future. It shows that it's possible. Sports is not the only thing you can do in your life. It shows that you have an opportunity to have a job and a normal life outside of sports."
Like many, women's tennis senior Anastasia Rentouli also expressed the importance of having opportunities to connect with those in the workforce who admire the work ethic of Bulldog student athletes, while also gaining insight on what their steps should be after they walk across the stage with the degree from Mississippi State University.
"I think it's a really good opportunity to network, communicate with people and get some feedback on what your steps after graduation should be," Rentouli said. "It's important for us, as student athletes to have a Plan B, because the athletic life will eventually stop. We are really lucky and I'm very thankful to have this event planned for us."
STARKVILLE – Have a Plan B.
That was the message Tuesday night at Mississippi State's Student Athlete Networking Night, held in the Bryce Griffis Boardroom of the Palmeiro Center. Over 30 businesses were represented, with 10 former MSU student athletes present to meet with current Bulldogs about their futures.
"Everybody needs to have a Plan B," Director of Athletics John Cohen said. "It is our goal for everybody here to strive to be the best athlete they can be, but all of them need a Plan B. This was an opportunity not only for them to speak to others in the room, but to spark interest in and think about what's next for them. We're going to start investing a lot of time in what's next, because it is critically important."
For many student athletes, like track and field's JT Mackay, MSU's focus on developing them not only to become the best athletically, but also in the classroom and for a life after sports is paramount.
"One thing that Mississippi State does extremely well is focus on work in the classroom as well as postgraduate careers," Mackay said. "They are going to prepare you to be the best athlete you can be, but also the best person you can be. That was one thing that attracted me when I was being recruited. That is something that has been very important to me and they have definitely stuck to the core of that in the time that I've been here."
While the room was filled with predominantly current Bulldogs, there were a few who returned to campus that were in the same shoes not too long ago, such as women's basketball's Chinwe Okorie and football's Rufus Warren. Both, like Cohen, stressed the importance of having a plan for post-athletic careers.
"It is the most important thing, because it's best to have two plans than just one," Okorie said. "If the first plan doesn't work, you always have that fallback plan. It gives you confidence and a peace of mind. It also shows you how far you can go as an individual, because sometimes you are only viewed as a student athlete. This event helps show them that there's more to you than just being a student athlete."
Warren added, "A lot of athletes, just like I did, want to play professionally. It doesn't always work out like that. As a former athlete, I think it's always nice to have something in your back pocket, just in case your ultimate goal doesn't happen."
Softball's Emily Heimberger noted that Networking Night not only affords MSU student athletes a time in their busy schedules to focus on their futures, but also allows them to do so in an inviting environment.
"As student athletes, we don't get as many opportunities to immerse ourselves in things like this that help us focus on our career because of how demanding our schedules are," Heimberger said. "This is just a great opportunity that they have offered us that allows us to meet new people and possibly find internships and even job opportunities in an environment that is very comfortable and welcoming as well. This is such a great experience and opportunity for us."
Riley Self of the Bulldog baseball team added that it also showed he and his fellow athletes that a normal life outside of sports is possible, especially with the odds of competing professionally being so low.
"It's great seeing all of these people who came out to be able to speak with us," Self said. "It's cool being able to talk to them, see exactly what they do and what you could do to have a good future. It shows that it's possible. Sports is not the only thing you can do in your life. It shows that you have an opportunity to have a job and a normal life outside of sports."
Like many, women's tennis senior Anastasia Rentouli also expressed the importance of having opportunities to connect with those in the workforce who admire the work ethic of Bulldog student athletes, while also gaining insight on what their steps should be after they walk across the stage with the degree from Mississippi State University.
"I think it's a really good opportunity to network, communicate with people and get some feedback on what your steps after graduation should be," Rentouli said. "It's important for us, as student athletes to have a Plan B, because the athletic life will eventually stop. We are really lucky and I'm very thankful to have this event planned for us."
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