AUBURN, Ala. – From their homes in Alabama, North Carolina and Washington, three Auburn student-athletes participated virtually in the 2020 NCAA Career in Sport Forum.
Football's Malcolm Askew, gymnastics' Kendal Moss and equestrian's Haley Pembroke joined nearly 400 fellow NCAA student-athletes May 27-29 for three days of career guidance and networking with athletics administrators and industry experts.
"An amazing opportunity," said Askew, a junior defensive back. "We got to interact with so many different speakers, talking to them about finding our niche after sports, understanding what our strengths and capabilities are so we can apply them to whatever jobs we're seeking outside of sports."
The forum, typically held at the NCAA headquarters for close to 200 student-athletes, was expanded this year to provide more guidance and education, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Forum speakers included directors of athletics, representatives from athletics academic services, athletic conference offices, head coaches, and officials in business and professional sports.
"You could tell the NCAA put in a great amount of time adapting to the current state of the world and still being able to create an experience with the forum," said Moss, a recent marketing graduate from Auburn University's Harbert College of Business. "Like all of the other opportunities that the NCAA has given me over the past four years, it's definitely a memorable experience, connecting with different student-athletes all around the nation."
"So many great speakers," said Pembroke, a recent Auburn business administration graduate who will study intercollegiate athletics administration this fall in graduate school at Nebraska. "Even though it was virtual, it was still a pretty incredible experience."
"A wonderful experience, a great opportunity," Askew said. "I really gained a lot of knowledge from it."
The forum guided student-athletes through projects that required critical thinking as well as practical experiences that strengthened their personal and professional skills and competencies.
The forum provided practical job search approaches and taught student-athletes how to navigate as young professionals in the athletics industry.
Pembroke, a two-time national champion equestrian, aspires to be an athletic director.
"We have so much more to offer the world than just our athletic talent, and that our self-worth is based on so much more than our athletic careers," she said. "I would absolutely recommend it. It was a very cool experience."
The forum confirmed Askew's plans to pursue a career in coaching, while expanding his horizons to consider additional opportunities in athletics.
"It's just a matter of understanding what my passion is," he said. "My passion is for younger kids so I feel like I would have a bigger impact there. It could continue to grow, maybe into college. I think I'd like that as well.
"I want to stay around sports, mainly coaching and mentoring, trying to help others achieve their goals and aspirations like I did getting to Auburn."
Moss hopes to embark on a professional sports career in digital and social media in her hometown of Charlotte. She's been accepted to graduate school at the University of Georgia to study sports management.
"The group we have entering the workforce right now, although it's such a crazy time, it just brings out a little bit of confidence in each and every one of us knowing that we're all working toward the same goals," Moss said. "It's really empowering and inspiring to be surrounded by so many of those student-athletes with those same goals, knowing we're able to persevere through it all."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer