Colorado University Athletics
CU’s Junior Professional Development Workshop: Building Confidence Beyond the Game
October 20, 2025 | Scripps Leadership & Career Development Program
On Monday, October 6, junior student-athletes gathered for the Junior Professional Development Workshop, an engaging session led by the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship. This event focused on one of the most essential career skills: crafting an effective elevator pitch that highlights the unique value of their student-athlete experience.
The workshop encouraged participants to reflect on how their time at CU Boulder, balancing academics, athletics, and personal growth, translates into marketable professional strengths. Through hands-on exercises and guided discussions, student-athletes learned how to articulate their stories with confidence and professionalism, transforming their athletic experiences into powerful narratives for internships, interviews, and networking opportunities.
This session was led by Erick Mueller, Executive Director of the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship and Adjunct Professor at the Leeds School of Business. Student-athletes learned to emphasize the power of authentic storytelling, connecting their athletic experiences to professional strengths such as leadership, resilience, and teamwork. Student-athletes also had the chance to practice introducing themselves to peers and mentors, receiving personalized feedback to sharpen their delivery and make memorable first impressions.
Mueller, the session leader, had this to share about the Junior Workshop, "Our student-athletes are natural innovators! They take risks, solve problems creatively, work hard, and dream big. It's always a highlight to work with them!"
The Junior Professional Development Workshop not only helps student-athletes prepare for life after CU but also reinforces the ongoing mission of Scripps Leadership and Career Development, to support the holistic growth of every Buff. By empowering juniors to recognize and communicate the value of their unique journeys, the program builds confidence and clarity as they begin to explore future career paths.
One of our junior student-athletes, Bella Reece, attacker on the lacrosse team, shared what she gains from this workshop, "The guest speaker, Erick, gave great advice on how to talk about our experiences in a way that makes us stand out, and I loved being with other student-athletes to practice our pitches. Hearing everyone's different stories and approaches made me realize how much we all have to offer beyond our sport. I walked away feeling more confident and ready for future interviews!"
This workshop aligns with the Crawford Family WHOLE Student-Athlete Program, which promotes Wellness, Health, and Optimal Life Experience, ensuring Buffs continue to thrive both in competition and beyond graduation.
The workshop encouraged participants to reflect on how their time at CU Boulder, balancing academics, athletics, and personal growth, translates into marketable professional strengths. Through hands-on exercises and guided discussions, student-athletes learned how to articulate their stories with confidence and professionalism, transforming their athletic experiences into powerful narratives for internships, interviews, and networking opportunities.
This session was led by Erick Mueller, Executive Director of the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship and Adjunct Professor at the Leeds School of Business. Student-athletes learned to emphasize the power of authentic storytelling, connecting their athletic experiences to professional strengths such as leadership, resilience, and teamwork. Student-athletes also had the chance to practice introducing themselves to peers and mentors, receiving personalized feedback to sharpen their delivery and make memorable first impressions.
Mueller, the session leader, had this to share about the Junior Workshop, "Our student-athletes are natural innovators! They take risks, solve problems creatively, work hard, and dream big. It's always a highlight to work with them!"
The Junior Professional Development Workshop not only helps student-athletes prepare for life after CU but also reinforces the ongoing mission of Scripps Leadership and Career Development, to support the holistic growth of every Buff. By empowering juniors to recognize and communicate the value of their unique journeys, the program builds confidence and clarity as they begin to explore future career paths.
One of our junior student-athletes, Bella Reece, attacker on the lacrosse team, shared what she gains from this workshop, "The guest speaker, Erick, gave great advice on how to talk about our experiences in a way that makes us stand out, and I loved being with other student-athletes to practice our pitches. Hearing everyone's different stories and approaches made me realize how much we all have to offer beyond our sport. I walked away feeling more confident and ready for future interviews!"
This workshop aligns with the Crawford Family WHOLE Student-Athlete Program, which promotes Wellness, Health, and Optimal Life Experience, ensuring Buffs continue to thrive both in competition and beyond graduation.
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