This week, we had the opportunity to be part of UVA Football’s Career Kickoff, and wow—this is what real career prep looks like.
These student-athletes aren’t just preparing for Saturdays under the lights. They’re building discipline, leadership, resilience, accountability, and teamwork—the same skills that become incredibly valuable when the helmet comes off and it’s time to take the next step.
Career Kickoff gives players an opportunity to start thinking about that next chapter while they’re still at UVA. Companies, alumni, and professionals from a variety of industries come together to mentor athletes, share real-world experiences, and introduce them to career paths they may not have considered before.
And it goes well beyond networking. Through the program, companies and alumni can offer micro-internships, post-graduate internships, job shadowing, mentorship, and even full-time career opportunities. It gives student-athletes a chance to experience different industries, build professional relationships, and figure out what interests them outside of football.
For our team, one of the best parts was simply talking with the players. We heard about the careers and industries they’re curious about, shared some of our own experiences, and talked about how many of the skills they've developed as athletes translate directly into the workplace.
Because succeeding on a team and succeeding in business have more in common than you might think. You have to communicate. You have to do your job even when nobody is watching. You have to adapt when the game plan changes. And you have to be willing to take feedback, learn, and get better.
Spoiler alert: accountability and coachability still matter. And these guys have both.
Programs like Career Kickoff also recognize something important: preparing student-athletes for the future shouldn't begin when their playing career ends. Giving them exposure to businesses, mentors, industries, and opportunities now helps them start building a network—and a plan—for whatever comes next.
Major credit to UVA Athletics, LAVA: Life After Virginia, and UVA Football Alumni for investing in their athletes beyond the game and bringing the business community into that effort.
We were proud to be a small part of it and look forward to seeing where these student-athletes go next.
The future is in good hands—and probably still running a 4.5 forty.
