College Experiences That Helped an Assistant Athletic Director for Annual Giving at University of Nebraska Athletics Succeed
Mattie's undergraduate experience involved extensive exploration, including multiple major changes and diverse internships, highlighting the value of "giving yourself opportunities" to discover career passions and build connections. A pivotal experience was an entrepreneurship class requiring a complete business plan, emphasizing the "startup mentality" as beneficial for any career path.
Career Exploration, Networking, Entrepreneurial Skills, Business Acumen, Adaptability
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. Explore different internships and jobs to discover your interests and build connections.
2. Don't be afraid to switch majors; it's a common experience, and exploring different fields helps you find what you enjoy.
3. Take a business or entrepreneurship class to develop valuable skills such as creating a business plan and fostering a startup mentality
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
In undergrad, I did a lot of different internships and part-time jobs. I was soul-searching, trying to figure out what industry and position I wanted. I felt I had many skills, but they weren't focused enough to know what I truly wanted to do.
I actually switched my major three times. I started in engineering because I was good at math, but then switched to broadcast journalism because I liked sports and public speaking. I enjoyed being on camera and in front of a microphone, but realized that wasn't quite right either.
Eventually, I landed on finance and the business side. I did a lot of exploring, which can feel daunting in college as you're trying to find yourself. So many people I talked to don't end up working in their major.
It's important to give yourself opportunities to discover what you want or eliminate what you don't. Along the way, you're building connections. The opportunities and connections I made proved invaluable, as people reciprocated years later because I maintained those relationships.
One of my favorite classes in college was in the entrepreneurship program. We had to write a business plan from scratch, and it was a really fun experience. I wish I had taken more classes within that program.
My advice is to take an entrepreneurship class, even if you're not a business student. I think anything you do requires a startup mentality. Going through the process of creating a business plan from start to finish was a really good exercise. It was by far the best learning experience I had in college.