Fighting Illini Student-Athletes Explore Careers, Build Connections Through Fifth Annual Illini Way Career Tour
June 29, 2026 | Football, Men's Basketball, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, Swimming & Diving, Women's Tennis, Men's Cross Country, Men's Track & Field, Academic Services
NEWS
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – A total of 11 Illinois student-athletes traveled to Chicago from June 22-24 to participate in the fifth annual Illini Way Career Tour, an immersive professional development experience designed to help student-athletes explore career opportunities, build meaningful relationships with Illinois alumni and industry professionals, and prepare for life beyond athletics.
Representing Illinois on this year's Career Tour were football student-athletes Patrick Mahoney and Erik Gayle; men's basketball student-athletes Blake Fagbemi and Jake Davis; women's basketball student-athlete Aaliyah Guyton; softball student-athlete Ava Moore; men's track & field and cross country student-athlete Trey Sato; women's golf student-athlete Alexis Myers; women's tennis student-athlete Lizzie Isyanov; and swimming and diving student-athletes Sophia Yousuf and Isabella Wilhelm.
Throughout the three-day experience, student-athletes explored professional sports organizations, global brands, and creative agencies through visits to the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Kimberly-Clark, Leo Burnett, and DSplus. They also connected with Illinois alumni and industry professionals during a networking mixer, served local youth at the Miguel A. Barreto Boys & Girls Club, and concluded the experience with a team pitch competition at Kimberly-Clark.
Exploring New Possibilities
The Career Tour challenged student-athletes to think intentionally about their interests beyond sport while expanding their understanding of the many career paths available after graduation.
"It allowed me to understand the different kinds of opportunities available and the paths I can take in the future," Guyton said. "It helped me better specify my career interests, which was one of my goals in coming on the Career Tour."
For Davis of men's basketball, the experience sparked an important mindset shift.
"I hadn't really thought much about life after college," Davis said. "This experience was my first step toward exploring what comes next."
Softball student-athlete Ava Moore discovered new possibilities within her own field of interest.
"The Career Tour opened my eyes to the diversity of jobs under one major," Moore said. "There are so many different teams and specializations that make everything run smoothly."
By the end of the tour, many participants had not only expanded their understanding of potential career paths but also gained greater confidence in the transferable skills they already possess as student-athletes.
Building Connections
One of the most impactful experiences of the Career Tour was the Illinois alumni and industry networking mixer, in which participants connected with alumni, received career advice, and strengthened their professional networks.
"It reassured my interest in law because I was able to hear from former student-athletes doing exactly what I hope to do," Mahoney said.
The experience also challenged students to step outside their comfort zones.
"This trip definitely helped me step out of my comfort zone," Isyanov shared. "I learned that if I put myself out there and form connections, opportunities will come."
Yousuf experienced a similar transformation.
"Networking was intimidating because I didn't have previous experience," Yousuf said. "By the end of the trip, I became much more comfortable connecting with professionals and collaborating with the other student-athletes."
Learning by Doing
Beyond networking and career exploration, the Career Tour emphasized experiential learning by challenging students to apply what they learned in real-world settings.
During the Career Tour Pitch Competition at Kimberly-Clark, student-athletes worked in teams to develop and present innovative solutions to company leaders.
"Kimberly-Clark showed me how important teamwork and collaboration are in the workplace," said women's golf student-athlete Alexis Myers. "It made me realize that's the kind of environment I want to be a part of."
The pitch competition also encouraged students to think strategically about their futures.
"The Career Tour motivated me to apply to more competitive companies because I realized the people you work with can drastically change your experience at a job," Sato explained.
The experience extended beyond the workplace as well. During a visit to the Miguel A. Barreto Boys & Girls Club, student-athletes spent time engaging with local youth, offering encouragement, sharing their experiences, and reinforcing the importance of leadership, service, and using their platform to positively impact others.
Looking Ahead
As students returned to campus, they did so with greater confidence, expanded professional networks, and a clearer vision for life after athletics.
"Thinking about life after sports can be intimidating, but this experience allows student-athletes to see what that future can look like," said Wilhelm. "The advice and relationships you build can go a long way."
Experiences like the Illini Way Career Tour continue to reinforce Illinois Athletics' commitment to empowering student-athletes to lead, succeed, and make an impact long after their playing careers have ended.
