Seven times the earth’s circumference – that’s the number of miles that OSU students put on 19 treadmills in one year.  That gives no consideration to elliptical machines, bikes or stair-steppers, let alone the collective steps of 20 intramural leagues, 80 fitness classes, 31 Sport Clubs and 30 adventure trips.  Last year, 21,956 unique students swiped their ID cards to gain access to Rec Sports facilities; and under the supervision of Rec Sports’ professional staff, 350 student employees supported them all. 

In this behind-the-scenes conversation with our Rec Sports Journalist, Owen Sutter, some of the employees talk about what it takes to keep things running, and the returns on their investment.  The question set for the interview was simple; but some powerful (and humbling) themes emerged in their responses.  Following is the recap.

Question Set:

  • What work experience have you received through Rec Sports?
  • What benefits (if any) are realized from student employment with Rec Sports?
  • Describe the culture of the program area in which you work(ed). How did it contribute to your professional or personal development?

Spoiler alert! We heard these themes from our student colleagues.

Five (5) ways Rec Sports affects employability

  1. Expectation and support to become the best version of yourself
  2. Practiced skills that can be used in any workplace
  3. A rich community/network of friendship and collaboration
  4. Professional experience for a leg up on the competition
  5. Confidence and competence for leadership and management

Kevin Hopper

  • Director of Learning
  • Dutch Bros Coffee Headquarters
  • BS: Liberal Art & Sciences (2011)
  • Rec Sports: Operations Manager, ALI Level II Trip Leader

 

“I think all students, no matter where they go to school or where they work, should seek to find two things in their lives. The first is a community that they can feel connected to and find support in. The second is work that develops a person by providing a safe place to make mistakes and learn from them. I was lucky enough to find this in Rec Sports. There are other opportunities for both on campus but Rec Sports does both well for many, many students.

“I got to meet and practice working with different perspectives, backgrounds, and world views. I gained the experience and firsthand view of the richness of new ideas coming together to produce a better experience for everyone.

“I’m quite sure I started [work at Rec Sports] as a terrible employee. But through hard work and strong mentors I quickly learned and grew because of their faith in me, seeing things in myself I didn’t. Rec Sports helped me learn from my mistakes to become a better employee, a better communicator, a planner, a leader, an educator, and most importantly a caring person. They were patient with me, they pushed me, they helped pick me up when I screwed up.”


Joey Jenkins

  • Chief Strategy Officer and Part-Owner
  • Vooks
  • BA: Exercise and Sport Science (2007)
  • MA: Business Administration (2010)
  • Rec Sports: Operations, Equipment Issue, Sport Clubs Grad Assistant

 

"The administrative staff does an amazing job of empowering student leaders with high levels of responsibility in a variety of job functions.  I was given the opportunity to create agendas and facilitate meetings.  I was given a chance to have hard conversations and write employees up for failing to meet desired expectations.  I learned how to interview employees and identify the right talent and team fit.  I was given the opportunity to mentor three individuals on a weekly basis for a year and learned how to navigate difficult areas of life with them beyond just work functions.  I was given many public speaking opportunities through leadership training for Sport Club Officers.  I learned how to allocate budgets with my oversight and allocation of over $100,000 sport clubs budge to be divided between 40 Sport Clubs.”

“I learned leadership and management skills that I have used every day in my jobs for over a decade.  The primary skills that I have consistently utilized are being a decisive leader, having the courage and skill to have hard and honest conversations, creating efficient management systems and processes, public speaking, meeting facilitation, and seeing the best in the people I lead and understanding how to speak into it and draw it forth."

"In my time working for rec sports: I found my greatest mentor of my life, I developed some of my deepest friendships, I built a community which held me up through some of my darkest moments. I developed deep confidence in my leadership abilities and potential, which has given me the ability to step into a ton of opportunities over the past decade of employment in a variety of settings."


Nico Conahan

  • Major: Graphic Design (2019)
  • Rec Sports: Graphic Designer

 

"When I was a freshman, I was on an IM soccer team with a girl who worked as a graphic designer at Rec Sports. She was a mentor to me before I even got into the design program, and her passion for her work inspired me to want to become a designer at Rec Sports as well. I saw this position as a ticket to my professional and educational success here at Oregon State."

"The culture of my area is very friendly and easy going. Several designers work with me, and we all get along very well. We can share ideas back and forth just like a real design agency." 

"Rec Sports has given me two years of experience as a graphic designer. During my time here, I have learned how to work under a large brand, use the tools and messaging provided to communicate the values of this University and of Recreational Sports, and strengthened my communication skills. I have also learned how to take criticism more constructively, and apply what my supervisor, coworkers and clients say to my work in an effective way. Most jobs out of college ask for a couple years of design experience, which I now have, thanks to Rec Sports!" 


Emilee McBryde

  • Major: Cultural Anthropology & Sustainability (2020)
  • Rec Sports: Senior ALI Associate, Challenge Course Facilitator

 

"The job appealed to me because I knew I wanted to learn more about the outdoors and get a chance to practice teaching someday.

"The culture in the ALI is friendly, supportive and based in improvement. The ALI for me has been a space to learn critical improvement skills both for myself and for my engagement with my team here or anywhere else.

"I have learned to be organized and to keep clear and constant communication channels to complete tasks fluidly.

“ALI is a community of people who want to push you to become the best version of yourself, professionally and personally and will support you in any way they can to do so." 


Jessica Nastarin

  • Major: Kinesiology & Pre-physical Therapy (2019)
  • Rec Sports: Senior Sport Programs Associate

"I was honestly terrified [when I applied to work at Rec Sports] because I was a freshman interviewing to be part of the lead student staff of the department; but I'm so happy and proud of myself for wanting to do a job that I thought was way out of my scope."

"My job here at Rec Sports has provided me with endless transferable skills that I can take into my further schooling and career.  I do believe I have gained more self-confidence and gained a stronger ability to lead a group of people which will help me later throughout my career when I need to be a manager or leader. Being an SSPA at Rec Sports has provided me with countless opportunities to refine my skills that I can bring to my next career."

"Through my time working within Rec Sports, I have gained a stronger skill set than I ever thought I would. My very first week, my boss had me lead part of meetings and manage my peers, which was way out of my comfort zone… I am way more comfortable and more confident in front of my peers now than I was before. I learned how to be professional and was put in so many situations where managing conflict was so important. I did not realize it until recently that my peers actually looked up to me when being in hard situations. Now thinking back on those times I realized that I was comfortable and always there to help. Being an SSPA gave me strength and the ability to grow into a very mature leader.

"I believe that students that work with Rec Sports build friendships and high-level personal connections compared to other jobs on campus. Rec Sports provides us with opportunities to better our connections with those we directly work with as well as with other people in different program areas."


Sam Scottaline

  • Major: Kinesiology (2019)

  • Rec Sports: Personal Trainer, DAM Fit Trainer, Events Associate, Senior Operations Associate

"Just after graduating high school I got an email about an operations position at Rec Sports. I put in my application and was hired as a 17-year-old high school grad. I applied because it seemed like a cool environment and unlike any other position on campus."

"Working in operations I have dealt with many emergency first aid responses, injuries, and high-stress situations. As a future Paramedic Firefighter, this has definitely given me a leg up on my competition going into this field.

"High expectations are held very strictly. This relates to my professional development because it seeks perfection which is nearly required for record keeping and care given as a Paramedic. 

"Problem-solving and conflict management - both in house and also with participants, this job helps you find your professional tone, whatever that may be.”