Access to qualified talent can no longer be an excuse if we want change
By now, you have had a conversation, read a letter, or listened to a podcast discussing the many challenges minorities face when seeking employment in the sports and entertainment industry. For the last five years, The Winning Edge Leadership Academy and it’s network have championed a vision of economic mobility for all by forging relationships and supporting a community of diverse talent who will shape the landscape of decision making in the industry. On the week, they would have welcomed 16 women and minority student-athletes to Atlanta for their third annual Game Changing Retreat, The Winning Edge Leadership Academy challenges the industry to act now and provide 200 real pathways to successful entry and belonging for the next generation of diverse leaders in sports and entertainment.
Together with Parker Dewey, a mission-driven organization that works to connect great talent with great companies and simplify the college experience, The Winning Edge has started the Gigs for Game Changers challenge to connect students and recent grads with short-term, professional experiences created by corporate partners and individual supporters wanting to create change.
For any student, gaining hands-on work experience is instrumental to a successful post-grad job search. A study conducted by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce found that “63% of students who completed a paid internship received a job offer after college.” There are also intangible benefits to a paid internship including the ability to discover what jobs you like, and equally as important, don’t like while laying the foundation of a professional network. However, for our community of diverse student-athletes and recent graduates from colleges across the country, a traditional internship just does not fit into an already packed schedule. This is what makes Gigs for Game Changers invaluable. They are paid, remote opportunities and available year-round.
Gigs for Game Changers offer outstanding benefits for companies too. A 2018 McGraw-Hill survey found that 43% employers did not feel recent graduates were well prepared for the workplace in “essential career readiness skills” like professionalism and work ethic. Gigs for Game Changers, or micro-internships, not only support the recent push for real diversity and inclusion initiatives across the industry but they provide a preview of a candidate's grit and skill before they are brought into the organization. Whether it’s a large brand, a start-up, or a one-man show, Gigs for Game Changers serve as a low-cost and effective alternative to traditional recruiting for entry-level opportunities. Even if you’re not recruiting, micro-internships are an easy way to delegate projects and focus on the bigger picture while providing an opportunity for the next generation with projects ranging from $150 to $450.
Creating real change lives in the collective hearts and habits of people with a shared desire for lasting impact. “This challenge comes at a time when many industry leaders and organizations are asking what they can do,” says Executive Director, Corinne Milien, “We have spent years developing Game Changers and building their network but we fell short of providing hands-on experiences necessary for entry-level opportunities. We believe connecting them with short-term projects will create the lasting change we seek in our industry.
Recent graduates are entering an uncertain job market and current students need professional experience as they explore career options. As more opportunities become remote, companies and industry leaders looking to act now and create game changing opportunities that empower the next generation of diverse leaders should join the Gigs for Game Changers challenge and spread the news.
Naji Thompson is a former runner at Dickinson College. She understands the struggle of balancing coursework, athletics, and campus life, while planning for life after school. Writing this blog for The Winning Edge was her first micro-internship. She gained new skills, added work to her portfolio, and grew her network - all from the comfort of home.
