Each year there are around 460,000 NCAA student-athletes who compete in over three dozen sports. Everyday these young men and women, guided and mentored by great leaders, practice skills daily that current employers and hiring managers value. Student-athletes are driven, competitive and self-starters. While focused on their training, they are learning to recognize strong leadership and become leaders. They are learning how to be coachable, solve problems, and adapt quickly in ever changing and fast-paced environments. They learn time management and how to receive and apply constructive criticism. Most student-athletes learn to work as team, collaborating and working towards one common goal, while strengthening their EQ and performing the tasks necessary to exceed the goal. 
I recently read a blog by Claire Hanna, a volleyball player who competed for the Canadian National Team. Her story detailed her struggles after her athletic career ended as she was transitioning into the new non-athletic phase of her life. This is not uncommon among athletes. You have been the top athletes for the last 10 to 15 years of your young life, what do you do now? Athletes train year round. When practicing, competing, studying, going to class, weigh training, conditioning, meetings, and eating are complete, how much time is available to plan for the post-college career? Female athletes do a better job than their male counterparts because men have more opportunities for professional sports careers. But many of student-athletes, male and female, do not have a clear vision of what their future career looks like. Engage with these student-athletes early in their college careers. Find out what they are interested in and know how to connect in their world. According to a study by Fieldhouse Media athletes rarely use LinkedIn but 94% have Facebook, 81% have Instagram, and 73% have Twitter. Use these tools to help you mentor and guide these young leaders. Give them tips on how to engage with alumni and interact with boosters. Send them blogs about resume tips, where to find resume templates, or tips on how to read a job description and adjust their resume specific to the position. 
Just as in sales and recruiting, social media plays a large role in the recruitment of high school athletes to colleges. College athletes are most likely active on social media when they are freshman. Find them. Engage them. Bring them value. These student-athletes will turn into excellent future employees and great referrals as well.
Do You Want To Find New Young Talent? Engage Student-Athletes
