Game Changer Catch Up: Tykera Carter
2019 Game Changer Tykera Carter always knew she was going to be a basketball player since she was a little girl. After playing at three different high schools in her area, Carter graduated from T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia with a scholarship to play Division I basketball at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. Her impressive career as a student athlete along with her passion for the game of basketball are what led her to pursue a career in the sports and entertainment industry after graduation. Tykera sat down with Winning Edge to catch up and share her journey.
Tykera, how did you hear about The Winning Edge?
I was browsing through Instagram and The Winning Edge kept coming up in my feed. My mentor, Monica McNutt, actually sent me a bit about the organization, encouraging me to check it out. After applying to the 2019 Game Changing Retreat in Atlanta and not getting in, shortly after, I decided to give it another shot when I saw there was going to be an SEC summit in Beverly Hills.
What made you want to get involved with The Winning Edge?
At that point, I was almost a year out of school and I wanted to continue to build my network, meet new people, and learn new things. So, I thought this would be an awesome way to do so. As an aspiring sports broadcaster, why wouldn’t I want to be around Maria Taylor and all of these other people? I took the steps to properly turn in my application and really do things the right way because I learned that my network would continue to evolve if I took opportunities like this.
What has been the most impactful part of your experience so far and what else do you hope to gain from your time with The Winning Edge?
The moments I think of in regards to my experiences with The Winning Edge are how they made us, the Game Changers, get out of our comfort zone. We would complete activities where we would get up and everyone would have to speak, project themselves, and work in groups. Those moments stuck out the most because personally, I can come off as a shy person and I take some time to warm up. But then you see someone like Maria Taylor walk into the room and she is loud and bubbly. Those group activities and resume building helped me evolve as a person, encouraging me to speak to the people around me and really get to know everybody. They really want to help you become comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Is there a specific person in Winning Edge that has been very influential or the most impactful to you?
I keep in contact with Corinne all the time. The Winning Edge checks in on me often, and I receive emails regularly which makes me feel like I am still very much involved. I definitely feel like I am a part of the tight knit circle that is The Winning Edge and that is going to continue to expand because that is their mission. They do a great job of speaking with the kids and continuing to keep up with all the Game Changers.
How has The Winning Edge helped you get one step closer to that career goal?
There were sessions where we talked about the importance of networking, following up, and continuing to keep in touch with people. I also learned the importance of drafting a concise email. At 23-years-old you would think I already knew that but I didn’t! It is those little things that have stuck with me, helping tremendously in my career and helping build my network.
What are you doing currently?
Right now, I work full time for the WNBA as a social media and digital publisher and on the side, I do sports broadcasting for Howards men’s and women’s basketball teams. Most recently, I teamed up with an old friend, Deonte Holden, who started a podcast called “Law of Athlete.” I am his co-host and we shot our first episode recently.
What would you tell somebody who is considering engaging with The Winning Edge?
Oh, just do it! It is going to help your career and it is going to help you meet other people who you will keep in contact with. The Winning Edge is doing a great thing and it is only going to get better so I say, engage while you can!
You can follow along with Tykera’s journey on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter.
You can also check out her new podcast and any other works on her website.
