By Jessica Pall, Online Editor and Mindy Pierce, Sports Editor
“What are your plans after graduating?” said speaker Rich Zvosec to the room of junior and senior student athletes.
Only a few students raised their hands with a reply.
“I don’t care what your answer is as long as you have an answer,” said Zvosec. “If you don’t know where you’re going, how are you going to get there?”
Zvosec spoke to Saint Leo athletes Monday, January 17. The freshman and sophomores listened to his talk earlier while the older athletes went at 8:45 p.m.
Zvosec, referred to as Coach Z, has an impressive resume. At 27, Zvosec became the country’s youngest head men’s Division I basketball coach at Saint Francis University in New York and soon after starting was named Northeast Conference Coach. Zvosec was also the headmen’s basketball coach at the University of North Florida and University of Missouri in Kansas City. Additionally, he has been an analyst on both ESPN and CBS College Sports and has written two books.
Growing up in a small town in Ohio, members of his community never believed he would become a college coach. However, Zvosec achieved his goal.
“Don’t listen to someone who says you can’t do something,” said Zvosec. “Overcoming the negative is important”
Zvosec told students that the first step in assessing one’s career goals is to identify what he or she is passionate or excited about. Second, one has to see the goal in their mind. Called visualization, this is an important technique often used by coaches and Zvosec encouraged students to apply the same strategy in planning their career.
The next step after deciding one’s goals is to determine how to get there. Zvosec recommended that students asked professionals in their field the key to their success. Before becoming a college basketball coach, Zvosec said he sent a letter to the three best college basketball coaches at his time, asking their advice on how to become a college coach. All three responded, and Zvosec said their advice helped him get on the right track.
After seeking advice, students need to identify the steps to pursue their chosen career in order to develop a game plan. Writing everything down is important.
“70 percent of those who write their goals down succeed,” said Zvosec.
One way to differentiate a graduate from other qualified professionals is branding.
Zvosec asked the audience for their interpretation of this term.
“You have to sell it to yourself first,” said basketball senior Matt Salay. Determining how one is different and then embracing that uniqueness and selling it to others will help make one both memorable and employable.
However, Zvosec confirmed that the reality is that it is not about what you know but who you know.
Thus, networking, a buzzword on college campuses, is important. One’s network is built through relationships with fellow students, alumni, parent’s friends, and staff.
Another key element is creating a business card.
“I won’t read a resume that someone hands me at a networking event, but I will contact someone who gives me a business card, “said Zvosec. He suggested that current students include the date of one’s graduation on the card as well, to be fair to the prospective employers and contacts.
Other tips Zvosec gave is be Mr. or Ms. Positive when going for an interview. Employers tend to hire those with positive attitudes, regardless of interview performance.
Essentially, make smart decisions when going for an interview. Simple, but obvious aptitude will pay off in the long run. For ex-ample, don’t go to an interview with flip-flops and a business suit, don’t conduct a phone interview in the bathroom, and don’t use Dungeons and Dragons references when talking to a prospective employer.
Finally, always follow up on an interview with a phone call, letter, or e-mail. Taking the extra step will continue one’s effort to brand themselves.
“It is essential to have the ability to tell who you are and what you want,” said Zvosec.
Whether the students in the audience had heard it all before or learned something new that night, all left with fresh perspective on how to successfully plan their future.
“I thought he gave great advice, and his stories were exceptional,” said Lions’ swimmer Chris Tamez.
