KENOSHA, Wis. – On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, Parkside Athletics hosted the inaugural Parkside Athletics Career Networking Night in De Simone Arena. Over 100 Parkside student-athletes were in attendance for the networking event, which included a young alumni panel and a business panel.
 
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"This unique experience for our student-athletes, and partners alike yielded opportunities for the student-athletes to showcase themselves as future professionals and practice networking all the while the partners shared information about their companies and their overall industry knowledge," Assistant AD for Student-Athlete Success Ashley Beaton said. "We strategically assigned everyone to tables based on their current occupation, major, and career aspirations which helped to facilitate meaningful connections. Overall, it was amazing event to bring our alumni, current student-athletes, and community champions together and learn from each other!"
 
Businesses in attendance for the networking event included Aurora Advocate Health, Bear Real Estate Group, Educators Credit Union, Enterprise Holdings, Golden Oil Company, HARIBO, Jockey International, Nexus Pharmaceuticals and Snap-on. Oakfire of Kenosha also catered in dinner for everyone in attendance.
 
The business panel included the following:

• Omair Ahmed | Nexus Pharmaceuticals | Chief Strategy Officer
• Toni Hansen '90, '99 | HARIBO of America | Human Resources Director
• S.R. Mills | Bear Real Estate Group | Chief Executive Officer
• Keith Smith | Vonco Products | President
• Nick Smith '05 '11 | Advocate Aurora Health | VP-Medical Group Operations

 
The young alumni panel included the following:

• Lauren Cox '17 | Aurora Medical Center | Physical Therapist
• Ronzel Darling '17 | Specialized Accounting Services LLC | Senior Accountant
• AK Hall '20 |External Relations Graduate Assistant | Parkside Athletics
• Mason Martin '19 | Intuitive |da Vinci Clinical Territory Associate
• Kaela Smoronk '16 | iRhythm Technologies | Clinical Operations Manager

 
"The first ever career networking night allowed me to make connections with Parkside Athletics' sponsors as they shared their journeys to success," volleyball student-athlete Ellie Adams said. "I loved the insight the young alumni panel shared on life after athletics because it is very relevant after just finishing my volleyball career. Staying competitive and growing as an individual will help me succeed in life after sports."