SEATTLE – On Jan. 18, Seattle U Athletics seniors and graduate students partnered with nearly 20 local employers at the Redhawks' annual career event. This year's theme was Mock Interviews and Networking. The event marked the first in-person career event for Redhawk student athletes since February 2020.
The keynote speaker was women's swim alumni Stephanie Bayless, '16, manager, sales representative and recruiter at Sherwin Williams. Bayless highlighted the transferable skills she gained through being a student athlete at Seattle U which included "time-management, determination, self-motivation and leadership." She encouraged the student athletes to sell themselves as student athletes in interviews.
In pairs, the student athletes went to three different rounds of mock interviews. They practiced answering behavioral-type interview questions and received feedback. After the rounds of mock interviews, the student athletes networked with the employers.
The feedback from student athletes was very positive. "This was an amazing event," said Brooke Wilson of women's soccer. "As an MBA student, I have attended many similar events, but this one was the most impactful and personal for me."
Mark Stanton, '84, who now works for Boeing, commented that "it was really uplifting to coach some of our student athletes."
As it has in past years, the Athletics Department teamed with Seattle U's Career Engagement Office in planning the event. "It was great to have the support of Hilary Flanagan, Assistant Provost for Academic and Career Engagement, and her staff," said Bobby Matthews, Assistant Director of the Redhawk Experience.
"Kiyana Higa, a Career Engagement Specialist, was terrific to partner with in planning and running the event," Matthews said. "It was wonderful to have her expertise on a career event like this. Sharon Leary, Student Employment Director, and Angela Cabatbat, Assistant Director of External Affairs, were also helpful in checking in the student athletes and assigning them to the rounds of mock interviews."
The keynote speaker was women's swim alumni Stephanie Bayless, '16, manager, sales representative and recruiter at Sherwin Williams. Bayless highlighted the transferable skills she gained through being a student athlete at Seattle U which included "time-management, determination, self-motivation and leadership." She encouraged the student athletes to sell themselves as student athletes in interviews.
In pairs, the student athletes went to three different rounds of mock interviews. They practiced answering behavioral-type interview questions and received feedback. After the rounds of mock interviews, the student athletes networked with the employers.
The feedback from student athletes was very positive. "This was an amazing event," said Brooke Wilson of women's soccer. "As an MBA student, I have attended many similar events, but this one was the most impactful and personal for me."
Mark Stanton, '84, who now works for Boeing, commented that "it was really uplifting to coach some of our student athletes."
As it has in past years, the Athletics Department teamed with Seattle U's Career Engagement Office in planning the event. "It was great to have the support of Hilary Flanagan, Assistant Provost for Academic and Career Engagement, and her staff," said Bobby Matthews, Assistant Director of the Redhawk Experience.
"Kiyana Higa, a Career Engagement Specialist, was terrific to partner with in planning and running the event," Matthews said. "It was wonderful to have her expertise on a career event like this. Sharon Leary, Student Employment Director, and Angela Cabatbat, Assistant Director of External Affairs, were also helpful in checking in the student athletes and assigning them to the rounds of mock interviews."
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