From the Field to the Office: How My College Athletics Journey Shaped My Marketing Mindset

When I started playing Division I soccer, I never imagined that the lessons I was learning on the field would one day shape the way I approach marketing and communication. But as I’ve transitioned from being a college and professional athlete to a graduate student studying marketing—and now a graduate assistant coach—I’ve realized just how connected those worlds really are.

Learning Discipline and Time Management

Balancing 6 a.m. practices, full class schedules, and late-night recovery sessions taught me discipline in a way few things can. In college athletics, you don’t have a choice — you learn how to manage your time and prioritize what truly matters.

That same structure has helped me in marketing. Whether it’s managing campaign deadlines or coordinating multiple moving parts for a project, I approach it the same way I approached training: one task at a time, done with focus and intention.

Teamwork and Communication in Action

As an athlete, I learned quickly that communication is everything. One missed call or lack of clarity can change the outcome of a game. The same principle applies in marketing — success comes from collaboration.

Now, when I work on campaign teams or help coordinate events, I think of it like building chemistry with teammates. Everyone plays a role, and the best outcomes happen when you trust and understand each other’s strengths.

Performing Under Pressure

In soccer, pressure is part of the game. Whether it’s taking a penalty kick or playing in front of thousands of fans, you have to stay composed and focused. Marketing has its own kind of high-stakes moments—launching a campaign, presenting a strategy, or analyzing results in real time.

The ability to stay calm under pressure has become one of my biggest assets. It’s not about avoiding mistakes; it’s about adapting quickly and finding solutions.

Leadership and Accountability

Serving as a captain taught me that leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about consistency and example. You show up for your teammates every single day, especially when it’s hard.

That same mindset now drives how I work with others in professional settings. Whether I’m coordinating a fan engagement campaign or mentoring undergrads, I carry that sense of accountability into everything I do.

Resilience and Growth

Athletics teaches you how to fail—and more importantly, how to come back stronger. I’ve had seasons that didn’t go as planned, injuries that forced me to sit out, and goals that took longer than expected.

But those experiences built resilience. In marketing, not every idea hits the mark right away. When campaigns need adjusting, I don’t see it as a setback — I see it as a chance to learn, refine, and grow.

Bringing It All Together

What I love most about the connection between athletics and marketing is that both center around people—understanding what motivates them, how they think, and how to connect authentically.

College athletics gave me the mindset to approach challenges strategically, work collaboratively, and lead with purpose — all qualities that I now use every day as a marketing professional in the making.