Student-Athlete Shadowing Events Promote Success in Career and Life

Twenty Nebraska student-athletes from various sports participated in the first-ever UNL Athletic Department Shadowing Event on Monday, October 19th.  Based upon career interests, student-athletes either went to the Nebraska Heart Institute or Bailey Lauerman.  Bailey Lauerman is a nationally prominent advertising firm in Lincoln and Omaha serving clients from across the world.  Bailey Lauerman relies upon core beliefs of "Discover, Innovate and Respond," specializing in the idea making business coupled with a strong sense of imagination.  The Nebraska Heart Institute was created in 1987 with the desire of the founding physicians to develop both their own range of services as well as the ability to provide such services to communities throughout the region.  Services provided by Nebraska Heart include consultative cardiology; nuclear cardiology; electrophysiology; cardiac catherization; and cardiothoracic vascular transplant and mechanical-assist device surgery.  Skilled physicians at Nebraska Heart annually perform more than 5,000 cardiac catherizations, 1,500 interventions and 900 open-heart procedures.  The purpose of the Shadowing program was to provide a practical perspective of what specific career fields entail helping confirm or discover career paths.

Rich Claussen, Director of Client Services/EVP, hosted student-athletes in majors including advertising, business administration, marketing, finance, and economics.  Claussen, himself a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, reviewed various advertising campaigns, emphasized the importance of doing "killer" work on every project and shared valuable success tips.  Among the success strategies  that resonated home with the student-athletes included the importance of focusing on details, being curious, being  committed and being  optimistic.

The student-athletes enjoyed a tour of the facilities with an opportunity to meet a number of the employees including Karen Henrickson who discussed the application process for internships and employment.       

At Nebraska Heart, student-athletes received both a hospital overview and tour of the facilities from Tom Appleget in addition to getting an inside look at the sleeping, respiratory and catherization labs.  Distance runner Anthony Oberle tested his lung capacity in the respiratory machine and the student-athletes had the chance to observe actual procedures on a number of patients.  The student-athletes felt the experience was not only interesting and worthwhile, but especially valuable in helping clarify future career plans.

In the end, student-athletes who took advantage of the Shadowing Event were thankful for the opportunity.  "What a great opportunity to get an inside look of a hospital while making contacts for a more in-depth experience," commented Jess Mills of the Husker Soccer team.  Added Gina Mancuso, an undecided freshman on the Volleyball team, "I'm so glad I came as this was an eye opener for me showing what I'm working for and the importance of pursuing a career of passion not just settling for any job."

Nebraska student-athletes will have additional opportunities to preview additional career fields during spring break from March 15th through March 17th being able to select from visits to Sampson Construction, TD Ameritrade, IMG Sports Marketing and Eli Lilly Pharmaceutical Sales.