It's Alumni Week for Auburn gymnastics and we're going to feature alums throughout the week.
Today's feature is Kullen Hlawek! The All-SEC performer was a part of big moments in Auburn gymnastics history. She was a part of the 2015 NCAA Super Six squad as well as the team that won its first-ever NCAA Regional title in 2016. In addition, she played a role in big wins over Alabama, Georgia and LSU throughout her career.
Years: 2014-17
What was your major and why did you choose it?
"My undergrad was in aerospace engineering and my master's was business administration. Growing up, I was always good at math and science but taking an engineering class in high school really sold me on that part! It's going to sound funny, but the aerospace part comes from my love of the show MythBusters and Iron Man. I liked the idea of making things fly and the explosions, so aerospace was the best fit! My MBA came with my realization that I wanted to focus more on project management than the actual math and coding involved in engineering. I still wanted to be involved in engineering, but I wanted to have a more holistic view of the project."
Why did you choose your profession?
"It may sound cliche but the job kind of chose me. I went to a lot of career fairs trying to find something that was the right fit for me. After talking with various companies in the private sector, I started focusing more on public service because I wanted to do something with a bigger impact. I met with one of the DoD representatives at one of the career fairs and he convinced me to apply! From there, my application got put into a hiring pool for a bunch of managers to choose from. One of the managers (an Alabama grad) plucked my resume out of the pile after seeing Auburn, Aerospace engineering, and Division I gymnastics and invited me for an interview based on those factors alone. They offered me a job on the spot. I accepted and haven't looked back since!"
How did Auburn prepare you to be successful away from the Plains?
"I always go back to The Creed: 'I believe in work, hard work.' While Auburn taught me all of the educational skills that I needed to be successful, it also reinforced my work ethic and all that goes with that. It taught me to work hard, be dependable, and to always be willing to learn something new. Those are the characteristics that make you successful in the real world."
What advice do you have for current and future gymnasts?
"I love this question! I have so much advice but I will keep it short(-ish). Here are my two big ones:
1. Have fun! This is something my parents always told me and something Jeff (Graba) would tell us before every meet. Gymnastics is a lot of hard work and a lot of hours but that all becomes pointless if you aren't having fun! There will be hard days and weeks but those will pass. Do the sport because you love it and always be sure to have fun.
2. Find something you are passionate about outside of gymnastics. One day your gymnastics career will end. It's just a fact of life. So while you spend all this time in the gym doing something you love and having fun, also remember to make a life outside of it. Set yourself up for what is next whether that is through school, volunteering, or a career. We spend so much of our time in the gym, thinking about the gym, and watching gymnastics that a lot of the time we forget to find other things that we are passionate about!"
What does Auburn Family mean to you?
"The Auburn family to me means just that, a family. It means people that are there for you and people that care about you. We may be all spread out across the globe but just hearing that 'War Eagle!' in an airport or on a street somewhere gives you that sense of belonging and the feeling of home!"