Engagement Insider
SEATTLE, WA June 19, 2013 – Two of America’s top companies teamed up in Seattle this week to initiate a job sharing program that is expected to enhance both household names.
The National Football League and Microsoft Corporation unveiled the joint program with a Kickoff Reception on Monday evening, where five Seattle Seahawks players met the Microsoft mentors they are shadowing to learn life in corporate America.
“The event tonight where both parties articulated their mission was awesome,” said Maurice “Mo” Kelly, the Seahawks Senior Director of Player Engagement, who oversaw the players’ involvement. “We were pleased that our five players, who are all doing this during personal time between team activities and training camp, updated their resumes and had impressive interviews at one of the biggest conglomerates in the world.”
The players were equally enthusiastic with opening night.
“The event was innovative, and meeting our host was beneficial,” said Seahawk Greg Scruggs, who will be working in the finance department for the Microsoft Windows phone.
“It is very exciting to be working on such a cutting-edge product where I will be part of the day-to-day action, and I am thankful for the opportunity.”
The key creator of the opportunity was Program Manager Mark Hatcher of Pro Rx, who stated, “I did over 120 hours of interviewing with players and Microsoft executives, and then I designed a model that we believe is applicable so that the players can benefit in a way that will be germane to their success after football.”
Those players include, in addition to Scruggs, Clint Gresham, Steven Hauschka, Ben Obomanu, and Russell Okung.
“The enthusiasm on both sides was exhilarating and genuine, since it was not sponsorship-driven, and we believe this model is one that other NFL teams and companies can learn from and use,” said Troy Vincent, Senior Vice President of NFL Player Engagement, who attended the Seattle event.
“Additionally, we envision using this model to create similar programs, where our individual team Player Engagement Directors can be proactive like Mo Kelly is in Seattle, and create their own programs high-profile companies in their cities,” he added.
Read more in the Pro Rx Job Shadow Newsletter.