Convocation season is a reminder of that burning question that every student thinks about … what’s next?

On Friday, May 24, the Sport Management department brought alumni to campus to speak to students about life after Brock, and their career trajectory. Kojo Mensah (BSM ’04), Joel Cote (BSM ’01), Derek Paton (BSM ’03), Melody Rioux (BSM ’02), Jessie Barrett (BSM ’10), Dan Hess (BSM ’06) and David Frizzell spoke to a group of SPMA 1P94 students at a professional development workshop designed to shed light on various career paths, the skills that are necessary to succeed in the working world and opportunities in the sport industry – three topics described by Prof. Julie Stevens as a good opportunity for “perspective building” for students.

Student attendee, Patrick Allen explained that “it was good to see real-life examples of career paths, some direct and not-so-direct; and interesting to see some are not in the professional sport industry or even the sport industry at all.”

Many speakers encouraged the students to “find a mentor” as mentors can give career advice and help build connections with other professionals. Students took advantage of the lunch session to begin to build relationships and network with the visiting speakers.

Stevens suggested that alumni like to give back to current students and take advantage of “opportunities to share knowledge” with younger students as a way to pay it forward. The benefits to these alumni and career panels often go both ways, though; the chance to build professional relationships (with students and fellow alumni) is important for both student and speaker.

Brock’s Mentorship Plus program is another opportunity to speak to current students, connect, expand professional networks, and refine valuable skills like leadership, communication and problem solving. The program pairs graduating students with an alumnus in the same area of expertise or academia. If you are a graduate who believes that, as Stevens put it, you “have something good to share,” Mentorship Plus may be an opportunity for you.

Whether you’re looking to speak to students through an alumni panel or speaker event, or if you’re looking to mentor in a one-to-one relationship like Mentorship Plus, there are many opportunities to share what you know. For more information, email Meaghan Moore at mmoore2@Brocku.ca