Bear Necessities Volume 36

This morning, I had the pleasure of attending the Beyond the Game Student-Athlete Career Forum, hosted by the 49ers Foundation at Levi's Stadium. It was an incredible day filled with engaging speakers, thoughtful material, and powerful connections aimed at preparing our student-athletes for life beyond sports.

The day began with student-athletes from all over the Central Coast Section gathering for seminars led by two Human Resource professionals from the San Francisco 49ers. They shared valuable insights on resume building and the importance of managing one's social media. The core message was clear: be mindful, intentional, and professional in how you represent yourself online.

During lunch, students were encouraged to network with representatives from all participating professional sports organizations. It was a meaningful opportunity for our athletes to step out of their comfort zones and practice introducing themselves, asking questions, and making connections with industry professionals.

The afternoon session was perhaps the most impactful. For the first time ever, the forum concluded with a panel of all seven front office executives representing every major Bay Area professional sports team. Their perspectives, experiences, and advice offered guidance to the students.

Our girls were especially moved by a speaker from the Valkyries community outreach team. Her message was clear, speaking on the power of follow-through. After her talk, our students made a beeline to speak with her. She was warm, welcoming, and encouraging, offering not only words of wisdom but also her contact information in hopes of continuing the conversation and connection.

What I am most proud of is how our students represented themselves and our community. For most of the conference I observed from the back and I was proud when they chose to sit near the front, respectfully listening to the presentations rather then burying their heads in the cellphones like so many others. I am grateful to the 49ers Foundation for the opportunity to help grow and empower the next generation of leaders.