WASHINGTON - American University Athletics launched its new All-Access Career Tour on Wednesday, taking student-athletes to Under Armour's Global Headquarters in Baltimore for an afternoon of behind-the-scenes access, industry insight, and direct conversation with the professionals who build one of the most recognizable brands in sport.
The All-Access Career Tour is the newest initiative under Beyond the Jersey, American University's student-athlete development platform and a key program within the department's strategic plan. The series is designed to move career exploration out of the classroom and into the workplace, giving Eagles the chance to walk into the building, meet people doing the work, and see themselves in those roles.
The visit was hosted by Chris Ports, Collegiate Account Manager at Under Armour, who coordinated the day and assembled a cross-functional panel representing the breadth of career paths inside a global brand.
Panelists included:
- Bella Tehrani, Assistant PLM, Volleyball
- Cory Shank, Lead, Talent Development, Retail Training
- Sydney Portale, Professional, Presentation Designer
- Sander Beck, Sr. Lead, Strategic Planning & Business Operations
- Samia Akbar, Sr. Lead, Category Marketing, Run
- Katie Ramboyong, Coordinator, Talent Acquisition
Student-athletes came prepared with questions and used the session to ask about career entry points, day to day responsibilities, and how the skills built in competition translate into the workplace. The panel spanned product management, marketing, design, strategy, talent development, and recruiting, underscoring that a career in the sport industry extends well beyond the field of play.
Under Armour also shared early access to its Rookie Program, the company's entry point for emerging talent, along with resources from its student and early career hiring pipeline.
"Thank you to Chris Ports and the Under Armour team for opening their doors to our Eagles. Preparing student-athletes for life after sport is a departmental priority, and this partnership is what that commitment looks like in practice," said Patty Medina, Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development & Inclusive Excellence.
Wednesday's visit is the first of what will be a recurring series of headquarters tours. American University Athletics is actively seeking partners across the DMV interested in hosting future stops and connecting with student-athlete talent ahead of internship and full-time hiring cycles. Organizations interested in hosting can contact Patty Medina and the office of Student-Athlete Development.
