Jarvis To Participate In NCAA Career In Sports Forum
UW-Oshkosh sophomore gymnast Rahdea Jarvis has been selected to participate in the 2020 National Collegiate Athletic Association Career In Sports Forum.
Jarvis and nearly 400 other NCAA student-athletes will have the opportunity to obtain career guidance and network with athletics administrators and sports industry experts virtually May 27-29.
The three-day forum helps student-athletes learn more about themselves as leaders by exposing them to projects that require critical thinking as well as practical experiences that will strengthen their personal and professional skills and competencies. Through their participation, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of roles within the athletics industry and how their personal and professional interests align with potential career paths.
Forum sessions include how student-athletes can become more aware of their inner strengths, how to develop a career plan, practical approaches to the job search, how to navigate as a young professional in the athletics industry, the role of an athletics administrator and head coach, and other motivational and key messaging from speakers. The athletes also will have opportunities to engage in breakout sessions where they will engage in guided discussions to further curriculum understanding and build community with other student-athletes. A student-athlete task force also was created to identify and develop specific sessions where student-athletes expressed particular interest.
"It is important to host the Career in Sports Forum this year, as we want to continue providing student-athletes with career and leadership development, even during these challenging times when we are unable to meet in person," said Lamarr Pottinger, associate director of NCAA leadership development.
"We must continue to execute our vision to educate student-athletes, be inclusive and focus on bringing these young leaders together in a community format where they can continue learning. The student-athletes will gain more insight around the sports industry and careers at the forum. However, they will also learn what their strengths are and who they are outside of their sport. The ultimate goal is to have these individuals walk away more prepared to gain employment after college athletics," Pottinger said.
The diverse lineup of student-athletes represents colleges and universities from all three divisions, numerous academic majors and many sports. The forum, typically held at the NCAA headquarters for close to 200 student-athletes, was expanded this year to provide more guidance and education, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Forum speakers include directors of athletics, representatives from athletics academic services, athletic conference offices, head coaches, and officials in business and professional sports.
Jarvis, a business management major from Brookfield, competed this season for the WIAC champion Titans on the vault, uneven bars and floor exercise. Jarvis, who finished second in the floor exercise and fourth on vault at the WIAC Championship, helped UW-Oshkosh clinch an automatic berth to the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association Championship that was scheduled for March 27 but canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jarvis and UW-River Falls' Michael Hughes (men's ice hockey) and Claire Mattson (women's volleyball) are the only WIAC student-athletes taking part in the 2020 NCAA Career In Sports Forum.
Previous UW-Oshkosh NCAA Career In Sports Forum attendees were Sean Dwyer (men's basketball) in 2015 and Katie Berkopec (women's soccer), Rebekah Sittig (women's basketball) and Celes Zaragoza (softball) in 2012.