Career Path of an Assistant Athletic Director Annual Giving at Nebraska Athletics
Mattie's career path, while initially focused on corporate finance, was ultimately shaped by a lifelong passion for sports and "the competitive edge," leading to a blend of business acumen and athletic involvement. The journey involved diverse internships in fields like insurance, law, and retail, allowing Mattie to identify passions while discovering what aspects of the business world resonated most.
Career Exploration, Internships, Networking, Finance, Sports Management
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Mattie Fowler Burkhardt
Assistant Athletic Director - Annual Giving
University of Nebraska Athletic Department
University of Nebraska, 2015
MBA, University of Nebraska
Finance
Education, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking, Sports & Fitness
Sales and Client Management
Scholarship Recipient, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Mattie's career path demonstrates that a business background can be highly valuable in college athletics.
2. Her diverse internship experiences, ranging from insurance and law to retail, highlight the importance of exploring different fields to discover passions and eliminate unsuitable career paths.
3. Mattie's ability to blend her business acumen with her passion for sports showcases the value of finding a career that combines personal interests and professional skills.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path? Please start with your experiences in college and any internships or jobs you had before your current role.
You bet. I'm a former college athlete, and I want people to know you don't have to be one to work in college athletics, which is the business I'm currently in.
My career path started with a finance major in college. I always thought I wanted to focus on business acumen and go into corporate banking or finance.
However, athletics always felt like a pull. I'm addicted to the competitive edge of sports and being in that field. I enjoy getting to know our student athletes and being in that space.
Much of my experience came from being a college athlete, but I also had a lot of internship experience. I worked in various fields, including an insurance brokerage firm, a law firm, and retail customer service.
It was more about figuring out what I *didn't* want to do, as I'm a very curious learner. As a business major, the field can feel overwhelmingly wide and intimidating.
This is different from fields like teaching, where you might choose a grade level or specialization. Business felt so vast, and I found myself doing a lot of trial and error to discover what I was truly passionate about.
Sports provided that pull. I found a way to blend my business skills with my competitive side, and it's a perfect blend for me.