ST. PAUL, Minn. – Macalester College rising senior Adi Nhouyvanisvong (Wayata, Minn./Minnetonka) of the women's soccer team and rising junior Jay Green (Roseville, Minn./Mounds Park Academy) attended the NCAA's Career in Sports Forum, held May 27-30 at the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind.

Hosted by the NCAA's leadership development team, the four-day event in Indianapolis brought together nearly 175 student-athletes. With a Campfires to Careers theme, the forum aimed to help attendees successfully navigate their career journeys after their student-athlete careers.

"The NCAA Career in Sports Forum was one of the best opportunities I have experienced during my time at Macalester," Nhouyvanisvong said. "Being in an environment with hundreds of like-minded individuals was very inspiring. After listening and participating in each session led by keynote speakers, panelists, and group mentors, I learned to not only identify my strengths but understand how I as a student-athlete could transfer those skills into my future career."

"Being able to attend Camp CSF not only helped me learn about the endless career possibilities in sports, but also changed the way I look at life going forward," Green said. "'A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there' was a quote that really stuck with me. It may come as a surprise to most people, but I often find myself a little shy when I walk into a room full of new people. Camp CSF challenged me to put that nervousness aside and simply be myself. Because of that, I was able to meet some incredible people, build meaningful relationships, and connect with others on a deeper level."

The forum featured a diverse array of speakers, including Lacee' Carmon-Johnson, director of basketball advancement for the Toronto Raptors; Justin Patton and Jonathan Sprinkles as keynote speakers; and Felicia Martin, senior vice president of inclusion, education and community engagement at the NCAA. Ahmad Boyd, assistant athletics director of student-athlete success at the Pingry School, emceed the event.

Each session broadened participants' understanding of the diverse roles available in the sports sector, helping them to envision their futures more clearly. Learners participated in industry-specific breakouts, including coaching, internal relations, external athletics and professional sports.

The Career in Sports Forum focuses on professional development, equipping participants with the tools to navigate their careers effectively. The forum also emphasized the significance of self-awareness and the willingness to adapt and grow, essential traits for success in the sports industry.