Going Pro: Career Readiness for Student-Athletes
A one-hour session that shows your athletes how the skills they built in sports translate into careers employers are hiring for right now.
Every student-athlete eventually plays their last game, and most have never been shown how to talk about what athletics taught them. Going Pro closes that gap. James Grugan, founder of Five Star Hiring, has spent five years placing student-athletes in corporate roles, so he knows firsthand what hiring managers look for and how athletes can stand out. He brings that experience to your program in a session that is practical, relatable, and built around real hiring conversations.
What the Session Covers
• How to translate leadership, discipline, teamwork, and resilience into language employers value
• Building a resume that treats athletic experience as real work experience
• Creating a LinkedIn profile that gets noticed by recruiters
• Preparing for career fairs and making a strong first impression
• Answering interview questions with confidence by telling your story
What Athletes Walk Away With
• A clear understanding of their value to employers
• Practical tools they can put to use the same week
• Confidence to network, apply, and interview
• A plan for their next step after sports
Free for Every Athlete: The Going Pro Playbook
Every athlete who attends a Going Pro session also gets access to the free Going Pro Playbook, a five-day email course covering career fairs, LinkedIn, and interview prep. They keep learning long after the session ends.
What Programs Are Saying
"We have had the pleasure of hosting James Grugan and his Going Pro workshop at Madison College twice over the past three years, and the impact on our student-athletes has been tremendous. We have seen firsthand the confidence and clarity our student-athletes gain from this experience."
Jamal Palmer, Madison College
"James' ability to connect real-world career preparation to the student-athlete mindset was practical and relatable. He helped our PSAC SAAC leaders see their experience as a true competitive advantage."
Carlin Chesick, Commissioner, PSAC
"Our student-athletes are far more prepared for the future after this experience. That is a direct reflection of how clearly and effectively James delivers his message."
Bryan Kast, Assistant Commissioner, PSAC
Bring Going Pro to Your Program
Every program is different, so pricing is flexible and built around your team size, schedule, and budget. Sessions can also be expanded to include resume workshops, mock interviews, or a mock career fair. Reach out and we will put together an option that works for you.
See Going Pro in Action
