By Andrea Grant Wright
Vice President of Business Development, Lee Hecht Harrison
As a seasoned career specialist for Lee Hecht Harrison, I looked forward to the opportunity to participate in the Baltimore Ravens’ Professional Development Day. I’ve coached people in many professions, from numerous industries, and at all levels in their careers. Working with professional athletes preparing to transition into post-athletic careers offers some unique challenges, opportunities and rewards, and I was excited about the prospect to be working with the Ravens.
I know that planning and preparing for what’s next in one’s career is difficult for most people. But for professional athletes it can be even more daunting as they face important occupational, financial, social, and emotional questions about what their next step is going to be. The successful transition into post-athletic careers requires skill, and many athletes struggle.
I had been to the Raven’s facility a few times before, spoken with some of the players about career planning, and observed other career development sessions facilitated by my Lee Hecht Harrison career coach peers. The Baltimore Ravens recognize the challenges their players face and are fully committed to supporting them in making successful career transitions. Hosting Professional Development Day offered the players a unique forum to hear directly from their peers about their own experiences making the transition. At the event there was a great deal of energy and enthusiasm about the day’s guest panelists: Steve Atwater, Chad Pennington, Troy Barnett, and moderator James Thrash.
Troy assessed his post-NFL career by taking an honest look at his skills, knowledge, education, and experience. Discussions with senior executives in his network helped him to understand the importance of transferable skills and which sport-specific competencies can be used in a non-sport career. Some transferable skills included resiliency, adaptability in the face of change, grit, and determination. Once confident he had strong skills to offer, Troy was ready to undertake his search for a new career. He tapped his network to help get his message out, connect with hiring managers and present himself to future employers. Using the same grit and resiliency he demonstrated on the field, Troy followed a structured plan and was soon cultivating and negotiating offers, landing a new role as Senior Process Business Analyst /Project Manager for Reebok. He’s now currently the Director for HR Information Systems at Under Armour.
Steve and Chad discussed their lack of preparation, knowledge, and skill in moving to the next phase of their careers. Both acknowledged serious setbacks, poor investments, and significant financial losses. They both expressed frustration and embarrassment about their mistakes – mistakes that many in the room shared. And both recognized that they just didn’t know what they didn’t know. Having worked with individuals in career transition for many years, this is common for most people preparing for their next career. One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to navigate a career transition alone. If support, coaching and resources are available, take advantage of them. It gives you a clear competitive advantage. On the field, your coach is critical to your success. Off the field, your career coach will play an active role in helping you transition smoothly.
Ultimately, in achieving success, each of the panelists talked about personal accountability and the importance of having a strategy – again, key elements of success on the field and off the field. At LHH, we have a playbook approach to job search that we call AIM™: Assess your opportunities, Implement your search, Manage your transition.
The theme of personal responsibility was prevalent throughout the day: What happens to you depends on what you choose to do or not do today. Assess the playing field, have a strategy, seize the opportunities available to be a star on and off the field.
To reinforce the importance of asking for help, Harry Swayne, Ravens’ Director of Player Engagement, provided contact information for Athlete Transitions, the NFL Players Association and Lee Hecht Harrison. He also offered to connect interested players with the resources most equipped to help with their individual situation. To get in touch, contact your Director of Player Engagement.
Lee Hecht Harrison (LHH) is the global talent mobility leader in connecting people to jobs and helping individuals improve performance. Andrea Grant Wright is Vice President, Business Development at LHH. She lives in Northern Virginia with her family.
If you are a current or former NFL player who would like to take advantage of Lee Hecht Harrison’s services, contact your Director of Player Engagement or call the NFL Player Engagement department at 855-4PE-2472.
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