Jennifer Rhodes’ Post

Last minute buzzer-beaters to clinch a gold medal. Daring gymnastics stunts that seemingly defy the laws of gravity. Exhilarating battles on the track and in the pool fought down to the millisecond. Over this summer, we’ve been dazzled by the displays of skill, courage, and strength at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. And although most of us probably won’t be racing at the Olympics anytime soon, there’s still plenty of hurdles we must overcome in our everyday lives- including getting our first internship job as a young professional. Hear from our marketing intern Olivia Sun on the tips that helped her land this gold-medal experience! 1. Skill- Learn from everything you can, everywhere you can:      “I’ve gained a ton of useful information in finance and marketing through taking business classes in college, but I’ve learned just as much through club events or random conversations with my friends. Even as an underclassman, there’s still so many opportunities to apply your skills into a “real world” setting; towards the end of my freshman year, I was able to help do publicity and manage the social medias of a cultural organization at my school. Just because something isn’t labeled an “internship” doesn’t mean it can’t provide valuable experience, so keep an open mind and take advantage of all the resources around you! 2. Courage- Sometimes you just have to send the email:      “I actually first met Eric at Social Channel while attending the Red Bull Showrun event in DC last April. I overheard him talking about his work, and I casually mentioned that I was studying marketing in school. It ended up leading to a whole conversation that culminated in us exchanging contact information and me hopping on an interview with him a few weeks later. Up until that point, I’d convinced myself that it would be near-impossible to land a business internship as a freshman, but this one talk changed everything. If you’re feeling limited, sometimes you just have to take that first step and reach out- who knows what opportunities might arise because of that?” 3. Strength- Don’t give up!      “It sounds corny but it’s true! I started applying to internships back in December, and for a while it was just one rejection after another. It can be tough trying to “break in” to a competitive industry, and it led to a lot of doubt about my qualifications. I tried to ground myself through using rejection as an opportunity to reflect and adjust my resume or my interview responses- which was key in allowing me to land this internship with Social Channel, where I’ve been working ever since.”

PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE. It takes years to become one. And only a fraction will fulfill their ambition. For those that do it’s a precarious existence. For those that remain it has a limited shelf-life. So what happens when it’s no longer your… ⚽️ Job title. ⚽️ Status. ⚽️ Identity. Do you cling on to what you once were? And perhaps only ever dreamed to be? Or do you… ⬅️ Take the lessons you’ve learned. ➡️ And apply your knowledge, skills and experiences to make a positive impact somewhere new? Because that for me is the professional athlete USP. And what continues to help me to develop a BROADER IDENTITY beyond the pitch too. Am I still a PROFESSIONAL? Absolutely… It’s just my professionalism is utilised in a different capacity! Am I still an ATHLETE? You bet I am… Both in thought and through action. 🧠 In my APPROACH. 🏃♂️ And in my APPLICATION. I’m neither holding on or letting go. Lived IT. Loved IT. IT is the journey I’m still on. Embracing that is what allows me to dream on… #personaldevelopment #professionalathlete #identity #transition #transferableskills

WOW- what an exciting time to be a sports fan! Or at least- we can all appreciate the talent, drive, and passion these athletes and coaches have, to compete AND win at the highest level💪🏼. With multiple college and professional championships going on this summer- including the Olympics (starting next month)-it had me thinking… How can we use that mindset in our own careers to be and stay at the top of our game? “𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒔𝒌 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏 𝑶𝒍𝒚𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒕. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒕, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒕. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕. 𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒆𝒙𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒄 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒚 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇. Check out what other former elite athletes share as valuable lessons, so they can keep winning in their career 🏅. -𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 -𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 -𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 -𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟 -𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 Link for article included in the comment below👇🏼 #CareerSuccess #EliteMindset #CareerExcellence

How do you navigate your career path as a physical performance coach in football? There are many different ways to reach the top in football. Although there are 'traditional' pathways laid out starting from university level, careers don't often play out in a linear fashion. In order to reach the pinnacle as a physical performance coach, you need a combination of three things: 1) Hard work 2) Good understanding of football politics 3) Some luck along the way Check out my guide below on how to navigate your career successfully: https://lnkd.in/engbrbwy

Watching the Olympics is always inspiring—seeing athletes push their limits, overcome challenges, and achieve greatness. But it's not just about sports; there's a lot we can take from their journeys into our everyday work lives. Olympic effort isn't just about winning medals; it's about showing up every day, giving your best, and not giving up when things get tough. It's the same mindset we need in our careers. Whether you're aiming for a promotion, learning a new skill, or tackling a big project, it's that consistent effort and resilience that makes the difference. In the end, it's all about growth and striving to be the best version of ourselves, both professionally and personally. #CareerGoals

Happy Friday! Did you give it your very best this week? With the March Madness in the air mix with some pollen it has had me not only sneezing, but also reflecting on some the things I learned as a student-Athlete. During my time as a student-athlete at Winston-Salem State University under the Coaching of James Wilhelmi I learned a valuable life lesson that has profoundly impacted both my personal and professional endeavors. "GIYBALWI" - Give it Your Best and Live with it. In the competitive world of athletics, Coach Wilhelmi instilled in us the importance of giving our absolute best in every practice, every game, and every aspect of our lives. He taught us that success isn't just about winning; it's about giving our all, regardless of the outcome, and being able to live with the results knowing we've left it all on the court. This mindset has carried over seamlessly into my professional career in Human Resources. In every project, every meeting, and every interaction, I strive to give my best effort, knowing that the outcome may not always be what I expect. However, by embracing the challenge and committing to doing my best, I've found fulfillment and success in my endeavors. So, as I continue to navigate through life's challenges, I hold onto the invaluable lesson I learned as a student-athlete: Give it Your Best and Live with it. It's not just about the outcome; it's about the effort, the dedication, and the growth that come from pushing yourself to be the best you can be, both on and off the Court. Now ask yourself again. Did you give it your very best this week? #WilltheWay #GIYBALWI #LifeLessons #ProfessionalGrowth

🏆 Embracing Patience and Persistence: The Winning Combination 🏆 As a young sportsman I am, I've learned firsthand the indispensable value of hard work, patience, and seizing opportunities at the right moment. 🌟 In the pursuit of success, it's not just about the sweat and tears we pour into our training sessions or matches, but also about the resilience to persevere through setbacks and the wisdom to recognize when the time is ripe for action. 🚀 Timing is Everything: Just like in sports, timing plays a crucial role in our professional lives. Sometimes, the best opportunities don't come knocking when we expect them to. It's about staying prepared and being patient for that perfect moment to strike. 💪 The Power of Persistence: Success rarely comes overnight. It's the result of countless hours of dedication, relentless practice, and unwavering determination. Every setback is an opportunity to learn, grow, and come back stronger than ever before. 🔥 Never Give Up: In the face of challenges and obstacles, it's easy to feel disheartened and tempted to throw in the towel. But true champions never give up. They push through the pain, stay focused on their goals, and emerge victorious against all odds. 🌟 Final Thoughts: I learned from parents, that whether on the field or in the boardroom, the principles of hard work, patience, and perseverance remain the same. So let's embrace the journey, trust the process, and remember that our greatest victories often come after our toughest battles. Keep pushing forward, and success will surely follow, this is what I am told, and my time will come. #HardWork #Patience #Persistence #NeverGiveUp #Success #Sportsmanship #Opportunity

Mastering the art of batting Mastering the art of batting is a journey, whether you're a young cricketer or looking to refine your skills. It involves a blend of technique, mental focus, and physical conditioning. Here's a breakdown to get you started: Laying the Foundation: Grip and Stance: A strong grip and a balanced stance are crucial for powerful and controlled shots. Experiment with different stances to find one that feels comfortable and allows for good footwork. Footwork: Footwork is the engine of your batting. It allows you to get into position for different deliveries and generate power. Practice drills to improve agility and weight transfer. Developing Technique: Timing and Head Positioning: Mastering the timing of your swing is key to hitting the ball cleanly. Watch the ball closely and focus on meeting it at the sweet spot of the bat. Keeping your head still ensures good balance and control. Shot Selection: Different deliveries require different responses. Learn to play a variety of shots, from defensive blocks to powerful drives. The ability to read the bowler and pick the right shot is vital. Taking it Further: Practice Makes Perfect: Regular practice with a friend, coach, or bowling machine is essential. Focus on specific drills to target weaknesses and refine your technique. Mindset and Match Awareness: Cricket is a mental game as much as a physical one. Stay focused, analyze the bowler's strategy, and adapt your batting accordingly. Develop a positive mental attitude and don't get discouraged by setbacks. Coaching and Resources: Consider working with a batting coach who can provide personalized guidance and feedback. #talentserve #internship

I recently read the book "The Boys in the Boat". It's a story about how a rag tag group of men from the University of Washington comes together to win gold in rowing during the 1936 Olympics. It was the "Miracle on Ice" of the time. Unlike today's college athletes, these men were not supported by scholarships. In fact, many of them were so poor they didn't have much for clothing. And they worked grueling summer jobs to afford tuition. But what they did do is find a way to syncronize their rowing in such a way that they were able to beat the elete rowing teams of their time. And those brutal summer jobs? Those also made them stronger in both body and spirit. So not only did they row as one, they rowed as one very powerful machine. I think this a good analogy for many teams. They may come from many different backgrounds. They may not have all had elete educations. They may have had to sacrifice much to get to their current role. (I actually prefer these people as they know how to persevere.) But if you can get them in sync, point them in the right direction and inspire them... They can do amazing things! I strongly suggest that you look up the The Boys in the Boat book by Daniel James Brown. You can also cheat and watch the movie but as always, the book is infinitely better. #marketingrecruiter #salesrecruiting #medtechrecruiting #hgihtechrecruiting

Consistency: The Boring Secret Behind 🥇 💃🏼 Got selected again for my 8th season with my club team to defend our European championship title in October 2025!🙏🏼 Sounds fun, right? But here’s the part no one sees: the long, boring grind behind the scenes. Like a lot of people, I struggle with motivation to stay active in winter. It’s cold, there are no games, and it’s very tempting to stay on my comfy couch after a work day. 👻 But winning isn’t just about showing up on the day—it’s about showing up every day, even when it’s cold, dark, and there’s no immediate payoff. 🥶💪🏼 Off-season is when champions are made. Building strength, putting in the hours, doing the hard and often boring work that lays the foundation for success. No spotlight. No glory. Just discipline. 🤷🏼♀️ ✨ How do you stay motivated? ✨ I try to make the process enjoyable, and I enjoy trying new things. Last year, I tried swimming. This winter, I started bouldering. It gives me short-term rewards: fast progress, fun, and new skills. It gets me off my couch and lowers the barrier to do the strength training I need for my sport. 🎁: it’s social too, which makes it easier to stick with. I believe this applies to anything you are ambitious about—work, career, or any skill you want to master. Don’t aim for that one big thing to push you forward. Focus on small steps, taken every day, in the right direction. Show up. Try. Learn. Have some fun. Stay consistent, and over time, you’ll see incredible progress. What gets you off your couch? 👀 Wishing you all a Happy & Healthy winter! #Discipline #Consistency #Motivation #AthleteLife #PersonalGrowth