Last week, we talked about the internal courage it takes to switch programs or careers mid-stream. But even when you’re in the "right" room, there’s a new challenge waiting: the exit.
Last week, we talked about the internal courage it takes to switch programs or careers mid-stream. But even when you’re in the "right" room, there’s a new challenge waiting: the exit.
The transition from student to professional is a period of uncertainty that nobody really prepares you for. It’s a landscape of identity shifts and cultural puzzles. This week, we’re diving into the insights from three people navigating the "External Shift"—the reality of moving from the safety of the classroom into the unknown of the next chapter.
The Retiring Student-Athlete
For most student-athletes, the end of a college career isn’t just about finishing a degree—it’s about a massive identity shift. You’re trading in a life dictated by whistles and practice schedules for a world that doesn’t have a scoreboard. Maggie is currently navigating this final season, and she’s focusing on the high-level discipline and thick skin that comes from years of public, high-pressure feedback.
You’ve spent years mastering things like high-pressure communication, coachability, and resilience. Can you give a specific example of a "locker room skill" that you’ve realized is actually a massive competitive advantage in a professional environment?
Maggie: One “locker room skill” I’ve realized is a massive competitive advantage in a professional environment is receiving and applying feedback without taking it personally. In sports, you’re constantly being corrected, sometimes loudly, sometimes publicly, and often in high-pressure moments. You learn quickly that feedback isn’t about your identity, it’s about performance and improvement. It's important to accept it and allow yourself to take it and help you grow.
As you look toward your first role outside of sports, how are you intentional about shifting your identity from being "an athlete" to being a professional who happens to have an athletic background?
Maggie: I’m intentionally reframing my identity by focusing on being a professional first, not just an athlete. Instead of defining myself by performance or results on the field, I focus on the transferable skills sports developed in me discipline, resilience, accountability, and performing under pressure.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to an incoming freshman athlete to help them start preparing for "life after the game" now, so they aren't starting from scratch when their final season ends?
Maggie: You don’t need to know exactly what you want to do, but start exploring. Do internships. Connect with alumni. Build relationships outside your sport. Develop skills that excite you beyond the game. Your athletic career has a clock on it, but your professional career is much longer. If you begin preparing early, you won’t feel like you’re starting from scratch when the final season ends. Instead, you’ll feel like you’re stepping into your next arena. It's easy to just wait but the sooner you start the less stress you will feel.
The International Student
Moving here means leaving your primary support system behind. How have you gone about building a professional and personal community from scratch, and what role has that network played in your professional development so far?
Oussema: Reading this question, I immediately remembered a moment I had during my first week here, opening Google Maps and looking at the blue dot of my current location and how far it is from my country of birth. This sounds funny, but I never thought I would feel emotional looking at my country’s map, thinking: “Everyone I know and care about is there, and I am not”. At that moment, it hit me that I am starting from scratch in terms of my personal connections and professional network. The college campus was a great starting point for me in terms of building personal connections. I tried to get involved through different activities, including volunteering on and off campus, which helped me get more involved in the local culture. Also, as someone passionate about performing music, I tried to seek events relevant to this interest, like the local Hamilton Art Crawl, and music jam sessions at Main Stage’s Rehearsal Studio. This helped me meet like-minded musicians, and I was fortunate enough to have a few gig opportunities with them. Finally, through my employment with the MSA as a Brand Ambassador for the communications department, I met wonderful people, and I had the opportunity to create bonds and connect on a deeper level with the college’s student body. I am graduating soon from my program and I feel thankful that I managed to build a support system that helped me feel a sense of belonging and connection here, which directly supported my professional growth.
How has being an international student given you the ability to see perspectives or ideas that local students might be completely blind to?
Oussema: A lot of the coursework through my program was group-based work, so I had the opportunity to work a lot with local students. The difference in cultural background helped me and other students I worked with to broaden the scope of research and perspectives in certain assignments to come up with original, interesting insights. In my program, we work on solving business problems through creative solutions, sometimes the ‘right’ answer is usually lurking behind a point of view none of us explored, so having the cultural difference and the ability to see things from different perspectives in the groups I worked with helped us get to the ‘right’ creative solutions more invariably.
What is one piece of "standard" career advice you received in your home country that you’ve realized actually works against you in the local job market here, and how did you have to adjust your approach?
Oussema: A “standard” piece of advice I heard is: “Take any part-time job opportunity you find don't be too ambitious.” It is a little bit difficult to be picky about part-time work as a student, especially when you have bills to pay. However, I tried to find employment relevant to my program of studies, Advertising and Marketing Communications Management. I managed to get the Brand Ambassador position, which helped me apply the knowledge I learned in classes to a real-world job. This helped me build up relevant work experience to my field of studies which will eventually increase my chances for full time employment upon graduation.
The Grad-to-be
The final semester is a strange paradox. You’re trying to finish your degree while simultaneously pitching yourself to a world that feels miles away. It’s a period of uncertainty that nobody really prepares you for. Jagger is currently in this position and had some thoughts to share about the reality of navigating the gap between the classroom and the career.
The Question: What is the most annoying piece of advice you’ve received from someone who graduated ten years ago that absolutely doesn't apply to the current job market?
Jagger: The most annoying thing I hear is to “just keep applying.” While that’s true in some way, it feels like the most basic advice possible. Applying isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about where you fit in best. Sending out a million generic resumes and cover letters doesn't equate to the value of a smaller amount of really thought-out applications. You have to ensure you actually stand out, rather than just being a random number in a pile.
The Question: In a sea of students with the exact same technical skills and polished portfolios, what is the one "weird" or non-academic thing about you that you’ve realized is actually your best selling point?
Jagger: My best selling point is my personality. There are so many capable people nowadays and so many ways to better your work that I think you really stand out by ensuring your personality is top-tier. It’s about being a good fit for where you want to work. Employers want to see the person behind the portfolio.
The Question: Everyone talks about the excitement of finishing, but how are you mentally preparing for the "limbo" phase—the period between the last day of school and the first day of your career?
Jagger: This is the part that scares me the most. I’m preparing by ensuring I stay busy. As much as this is a time to rest after a long three years, I don't want to get too comfortable with the time off. I’m using this time to better my own work so I stay sharp and ready for whatever comes next.
We’re all navigating this together
There is no "standard" way to get through college. Whether you’re reinventing yourself, navigating a new country, or hanging up a jersey for the last time, these challenges aren’t barriers—they are the foundation for what’s to come.
Growth isn't a straight line. It’s a series of pivots. It’s the bravery of starting over and the discipline of staying sharp when the future feels uncertain. So, if you feel like you’re doing it wrong or falling behind, take a look at the people around you. You aren't behind, you’re just in the middle of your own story. And as long as you’re the one making the decisions, you’re moving in the right direction.