The Ohio State Sports and Society Initiative hosted its third annual Sports Career Readiness Fair Feb. 6 at Ohio Stadium in partnership with the Career Success department in the College of Arts and Sciences. 

The event allowed students to connect with a wide network of sports professionals while developing and practicing real-world skills.

The event began at 1 p.m. with a panel moderated by Nicole Kraft, director of the Sports and Society Initiative. Sports professionals Lindy Noel, Todd Worly, Tracy Hedrick and Eddie Langhenry shared insights on finding success in the industry. Their advice left an impression on students, including sophomore Hannah Ciriello.

“Hearing from professionals here is so helpful because there’s so much confusion in the sports field,” Ciriello said. “Getting to talk to people, hear their advice and learn how they got here is super helpful.”

Students not only listened to the panel but also had the chance to connect directly with professionals. After the opening remarks concluded at 2 p.m., networking began. With representatives from ticketing, marketing, branding, communications and more, students were able to explore and better understand the many career paths within the sports industry.

Frank Fraas, executive director of the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association, emphasized the importance of supporting students as they prepare for their careers.

“Anytime I can help anybody and talk to students to help them move forward with their career, I’m always willing to help,” Fraas said.

More than 25 professionals attended to connect with students and offer advice and insight into the industry. The Career Success team in the College of Arts and Sciences also provided resume reviews and mock interviews to help students prepare for the job market.

The afternoon concluded with Kraft encouraging students and professionals to stay connected, reinforcing SSI’s commitment to building lasting relationships across the industry. The event welcomed 98 students and 25 professionals.

To learn more about the SSI experience, sign up for the monthly newsletter or register for an upcoming event.