A New Game Plan: Preparing Student-Athletes for Professional Careers

For college student-athletes, the journey from graduation to a professional career is often a difficult one. While they spend countless hours honing skills like discipline, teamwork, and resilience, their intense schedules often leave little time for career exploration, internships, or networking. This puts them at a disadvantage compared to their non-athlete peers.

With the number of student-athletes at an all-time high—over 520,000 in the U.S.—this issue is more critical than ever. The reality is that only about 2% of college athletes will ever go pro, meaning the other 98% must pivot to a different career. Without adequate preparation, this transition can lead to unemployment, job dissatisfaction, and mental health challenges like depression and a loss of identity.

A Two-Part Solution

This project proposes a targeted solution to address this career readiness gap. The strategy is designed to better equip student-athletes for the workforce by giving them the tools and confidence they need to succeed.

• Panel Discussions: The core of the project is a series of panel discussions. These events will feature two key groups: former student-athletes who have successfully transitioned into professional careers and employers from a variety of industries. The goal is to provide current athletes with tangible, relatable examples of what a successful post-athletic career looks like. Panelists will share how the skills they gained on the field or court directly translate to the workplace, helping athletes understand their own value.
• Targeted Advisor Training: The project also recognizes the need to equip support staff. It includes training for academic and career advisors to help them better understand the unique challenges faced by student-athletes. By providing advisors with this specialized knowledge, they can offer more effective, tailored guidance that fits within an athlete’s demanding schedule.

Expected Outcomes

This initiative aims to accomplish several key objectives:

• Boost Confidence: Improve student-athletes’ confidence in their ability to find a fulfilling career after graduation.
• Identify Transferable Skills: Help them recognize and articulate how their athletic abilities—such as leadership, time management, and perseverance—are valuable assets to a future employer.
• Connect Majors to Careers: Guide them in understanding how their academic major aligns with their long-term professional goals.
• Build a Network: Provide opportunities for student-athletes to begin building a professional network, which is crucial for a successful job search.