Illini Athletics Hosts Networking Night
February 25, 2022 | Academic Services
News
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics hosted its Fighting Illini Networking Night with 25 companies on hand to meet job candidates. Illini student-athletes from diverse majors, ranging from freshmen to graduate students attended the event at Memorial Stadium.
Student-athletes and companies were welcomed to the event by Kevin Mitchell (Director of Development, Varsity I), Kam Cox (INFLUENCE Program (NIL) Coordinator), and Liz Reyes (Assistant Director of Athletics, Illini Way Student-Athlete Development). The trio provided networking preparation, guidance on approach, and a framework for how NIL opportunities work.
Over half of the companies in attendance were represented by former Illinois student-athletes within the Varsity I.
"Attending the Fighting Illini Networking Night was one of the best career exploration opportunities I have had in my collegiate career," said Illinois softball student-athlete Jaelyn Vickery. "The opportunity to interact in person with possible employers and mentors has been dearly missed during the pandemic. The Networking Night was business casual which made it easy to communicate efficiently with various companies. The best part was that even if I thought there wouldn't be a job or internship for me due to my major, Liz Reyes encouraged the student athletes to step out of our comfort zone and speak with new people anyway. I formed so many new connections at the Networking Night and already have some interviews for summer internships!"
