UW Sports Operations Panel

Speakers:

• Jessica Williams: Director of Operations, Women's Volleyball
• Mitch Simmons: Director of Operations, Women's Basketball
• Marc VandeWettering: Director of Operations, Men's Basketball

Key Takeaways:

• Class rooms and what you're learning is great, but go out and meet people
• Through experiences you learn what you do and don't like which is so important
• The impression and connections you make are worth more than the amount of money you're making
• Take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to you
• As minor as something may seem at the time, it could be what gets you an interview or your foot in the door
• Take your responsibilities seriously regardless of what the tasks are
• Women - don't be afraid to work in men's sports
• Always be translational, not transactional
• You have to take an interest in who you are speaking with
• Let your work speak for itself - it never goes unnoticed and it will make its way back around to you
• Your impact will get recognized whether you like it or not
• You won't find days or weeks to have a work-life balance in sports, you'll find hours
• It's important to set boundaries and take time for yourself so you don't burn out
• Find a mentor who doesn't look like you
• Love what you are doing because you're going to be spending a lot of time doing it
• Don't get caught up in the logo on your chest, people matter
• You're always working for something greater than yourself
• The "we" is always greater than the "me"
• Have the ability to figure it out
• You can't lower your expectations because once you start accepting that, your standards for yourself will keep dropping