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NEW YORK – Columbia Athletics’ Office of Enrichment Services hosts several programs throughout the academic year to prepare student-athletes for the world after college. This spring semester’s events were highlighted by the Interview Fish Bowl on February 9 and and the inaugural Training the Street Program in late February.
The second annual Columbia Athletics Interview Fish Bowl featured alumni Ted Gregory ’74CC (football) and John MacPhee ’89CC (men’s basketball), who shared their knowledge and insights with the group. With many years of interview experience between them, Gregory and MacPhee began the program by addressing best interviewing practices, from appropriate attire to personal positioning. The two alumni also emphasized the importance of using the student-athlete experience to demonstrate relevant skills that can be used in the workplace.
Following the presentation, Gregory ran through interview questions with cross country/track & field senior Marc Violone ’16CC. Structured as a mock interview, Violone answered common questions while the group observed; MacPhee then offered feedback based on Violone’s answers, body language and overall presentation.
Following the event, Violone expressed his appreciation for having the opportunity to sharpen his interviewing skills.
“I can never get enough of it,” he said. “It’s been a great night two years in a row!”
The Training The Street Program was the first time Athletics has offered financial education program to student-athletes. The program’s interactive curriculum is designed to prepare students and professionals for success in the financial services industry.
Sponsored and made possible by women’s soccer alumna Ashley Mistele ’10CC, the program consisted of two workshops – “Corporate Valuation” and “Financial Modeling” – on Friday, February 19 and Friday, February 26.
Mistele, who currently serves as Vice President for Debt Capital Markets at JMP Securities LLC, expressed that her goal for this Training the Street program was “to provide an opportunity for Columbia student-athletes who are interested in finance to learn practical skills they’ll need as they pursue internships and full-time careers.”
She said that while navigating the recruitment process can be daunting, this early exposure to financial analysis and excel skills “will hopefully give students a leg up…as well as some peace of mind.”
Over the two-day program, 18 student-athletes from eight sports programs were able to participate.
Jake Tuckerman, a sophomore on the cross country and track & field teams, said that “it is opportunities, such as learning from Training the Street, that help narrow the gap between our studies and those typical of an undergraduate business school.”
He praised the Columbia alumni network, the Office of Enrichment Services, and the Training the Street curriculum for partnering to increase his financial literacy and reinforce his passion for business.