The BYU Built4Life program led another successful Student-Athlete Career Fair on February 5th, inviting top employers, local businesses, and MBA programs to meet and connect with over 270 student-athletes.
Student-athletes lined up out the door of the Smith Fieldhouse Annex in preparation for the event. Once inside, they spoke with representatives from a large variety of industries, including investment firms, marketing agencies, and start-up companies.
Members of every team were able to discuss business best-practices and internship opportunities with employers face-to-face. Student-athletes like Whitney Banz, from BYU Women’s Golf, were pleased with the large recruiter turnout.
“I thought it was really good,” said Banz. “There was a lot of variety of recruiters there. There were service projects, financial firms, and more to talk to. I didn’t even talk to everyone. It was a great experience.”
The wealth of diversity also impressed Tahis Ibáñez from the BYU Women’s Swim team. She highlighted how receptive the recruiters were to her, making her feel seen among all the other student-athletes.
“I’m just so grateful for these events,” Ibáñez said. “I always feel so welcomed, all the companies are so very inclusive.”
Most of all, many student-athletes acknowledged how important the event was for their future careers outside the world of college sports. Slaton Huish, a recent graduate, was especially optimistic about the growth of opportunities he’d found while talking to potential employers.
“I’m grateful for these events, because I’m still trying to see what’s still out there,” Huish said. “I feel like events like this help me see what is out there, and open my network, and open more doors for me.”
Many student-athletes went home with new phone numbers, scheduled interviews, and LinkedIn connections. The recruiters took home BYU swag and a renewed relationship with the Built4Life career services team.
The night proved to be successful for all parties, and hopes are high for the next Student-Athlete Career Fair in October.