Engaging Student-Athletes, Past and Present

Nurturing the relationships with student-athletes is becoming more important to development departments across the country.  Former athletes often cite their experience at the university as their reason to (or not to) make a financial contribution back to their alma mater.  One way to gain the appreciation, and perhaps the support, from student-athletes while they are on campus is career finding resources so they are ready to go upon graduation.

Idaho State University has joined the growing number of collegiate athletics departments to partner with Career Athletes, and online career community to help student-athletes network and ultimately find a job after graduation.  The organization will provide student-athletes with mentoring, professional networking, career coaching, and best practices for finding employment.  One unique aspect bout Career Athletes is that it is also available to alumni from the institution, so former athletes have a reason to reconnect with their school and its athletes.

Ultimately, by joining a career service such as this, schools will not see their annual fund grow by leaps and bounds.  However, as universities look to build relationships with student-athletes, past and present, helping those individuals find career success can only help student-athlete giving down the road.  To read more about Career Athlete, click here.

Rob Norris