Empower Your College Athletes Beyond Their Sport
College coaches and sports directors, are your athletes prepared for life after sports?
Your athletes dedicate their time, talent, and commitment to your college, bringing pride to your institution both on and off the field. But what happens when the final whistle blows or the last race is run? Preparing them for life after sports at your college is just as important as supporting them during their athletic careers.
It’s time to give them the tools they need to thrive in their post-graduation careers.
The college athlete career coaching program from Poppy Sports, is our signature, day-long career coaching program specifically for collegiate athletes and their peers. We bring the coaching to your college campus, with the goal to provide athletes with the tools to tap into their roots in sport to prepare for their post-collegiate careers.
Career Coaching by Athletes for Athletes
Led by Melanie Mitchell, founder of Poppy Sports, alongside professional athletes Laura ‘Sid’ Siddall and Laura Thweatt, our program is packed with expertise from those who understand the unique opportunities of sport and career growth
The coaching day provides student-athletes with the tools, guidance, and accountability needed to cultivate a plan for professional success.
They will learn:
- How sport empowers women for career success, and what defines ‘success’.
- How to approach career planning the same way as they approach athletic training.
- How to assess and articulate transferable skills for resumes, interviews, and networking.
How Does A College Coaching Day Work?
Introductions
- Insights from former athletes who have leveraged their sports experience for career growth, backed by powerful stats on how female athletes thrive in the corporate world.
Morning Session: The Athlete’s Mindset for Career Success
- Interactive discussion with coaches and mentors.
- Defining success beyond sports and embracing a growth mindset.
- Understanding how athletic discipline, resilience, and teamwork translate into professional confidence.
- Identifying and articulating transferable skills that set athletes apart in the job market.
Afternoon Workshops: Practical Career Strategies
- Actionable next steps for internships, networking, and leveraging sports network resources
- Small-group discussions on navigating the transition from athletics to career.
- Identifying career paths, networking strategies, and mentorship opportunities.
- Developing resilience to handle setbacks, perfectionism, and performance pressure in the workplace.
Meet Your Coaches
Melanie Mitchell
The founder of Poppy Sports with the goal to support women athletes in their career journeys. Melanie is a Brand Director in women’s sports media, a former collegiate swimmer, and Ironman triathlete.
She brings her understanding of the athlete’s mindset to help women with professional career growth.
Follow Melanie at: @poppysports
Laura ‘Sid’ Siddall
A professional Ironman distance triathlete and former British military engineer, Sid combines her elite athletic experience with a professional background in STEM to help athletes understand transitions and build confidence for their next chapter. She is a regular contributor to Triathlete magazine, and is a race commentator on Ironman live broadcasts.
Follow Sid at: @lmsid
Laura Thweatt
A three-time national champion and three-time U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier, Laura Thweatt has spent over a decade competing at the highest levels of distance running and represented the United States internationally.
Laura provides first-hand insight into how resilience, discipline, and a winning mindset can shape a successful life in sports and beyond.
Follow Laura at: @lthweatt
Why Partner With Us?
- Athlete Support: Demonstrate your commitment to preparing student-athletes for life post-graduation.
- Recruitment Advantage: Attract new talent by showing prospective athletes and their families that your program prioritizes their development, both on and off the field.
- A Impactful Investment: The cost of this career coaching program is a purposeful investment in your athletes and the reputation of your program, ensuring your students graduate not only with great memories, but also with the confidence and tools to thrive professionally.
Set your athletic program apart by providing your athletes with more than a winning season—give them a winning start to their post-graduate careers.
Contact the team to learn more, and show your athletes—and the world—that your college values their commitment and believes in their potential.