CAREER FAIR TOOLKIT 2023
The WIS Career Fair 2023 was a huge success thanks to YOU, our members, and all of our trailblazing industry experts and hiring personnel. This annual event is the only career fair specifically encouraging and recruiting women and marginalized individuals to work in soccer. Together we’re [re]building the industry by supporting more diverse and inclusive voices to work in the game and influence decision-making.
This multi-media Career Fair 2023 Toolkit has everything you need to continue to level up your professional game. Dive into the event’s panel recordings, speaker contact details, and professional development tips.
If you haven’t already, support the squad by following up with the WIS team in our 1-min feedback survey. More feedback will make next year’s career fair even more impactful
WOMEN IN SOCCER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES
The WIS Welcome Letter and Inclusion Guide – useful tips for fostering an inclusive environment at your organization.
The WIS Jobs Board – a curated list of soccer industry jobs on and off the field.
WIS Guide to Inclusive Interviewing & Hiring Practices In Soccer.
NYC Footy x WIS Ted Lasso Code of Conduct – created in partnership with NYC Footy this code of conduct is helping to uphold inclusive values on and off the pitch. Want support developing a COC for your soccer org? Email us ????[email protected]
Right to Be – a WIS-verified organization that provides free training to the public and customized training experiences for businesses, organizations, schools, and colleges about respect and anti-harassment.
HOT SHOT 1: TIPS FOR CREATING A PROFESSIONAL CAREER IN THE SPORTS INDUSTRY, OFF THE FIELD WITH CONCACAF’S VERONICA SANTANA
RESOURCES SHARED / JOBS
- Concacaf, Commercial Partnership Administrator, Get it!
- Concacaf, Event Coordinator, Get it!
- Concacaf, Commercial Partnership Administrator, Get it!
Join Veronica’s team!
EXPERTS TO CONTACT
Veronica Santana, director of human resources at Concacaf
PANEL 1: DATA IN THE GAME: FROM THE PRO TO GRASSROOTS – HOW TO USE IT AND WHY IT’S SO IMPORTANT
RESOURCES SHARED / JOBS
- Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport
- Upshot
- Soccer Without Borders
- Soccer Without Borders, Coach-Mentor Fellowship (Up2Us AmeriCorps), Get it!
Reach out to Mary Connor
EXPERTS TO CONTACT
Preeti Shetty, CEO and founder of Upshot
Mary Connor, co-founder & executive director at Soccer Without Borders
Anna Goorevich, PhD student & research assistant at The Tucker Center for Research
on Girls & Women in Sport
HOT SHOT 2: COVER LETTERS WITH RACHEL BUKSZAR
WATCH VIDEO
RESOURCES SHARED / JOBS
- United Soccer League, Human Resources Generalist, Get it!
Reach out to Rachel Bukszar - United Soccer League, Vice President, Operations – USL Super League, Get it!
Reach out to Rachel Bukszar - United Soccer League, Director, Safeguarding, Get it!
Reach out to Rachel Bukszar
EXPERTS TO CONTACT
Rachel Bukszar, vice president of people at the United Soccer League
PANEL 2: SAFEGUARDING IN SOCCER: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO DO THE JOB
RESOURCES SHARED / JOBS
- United Soccer League, Director, Safeguarding, Get it!
Reach out to Rachel Bukszar - USL’s Safeguarding page – their policies and reporting platforms can be accessed there.
- FIFA safeguarding course
- U.S. Soccer-Safe Soccer
EXPERTS TO CONTACT
Renee Towles, senior director of safeguarding at USL
Jonathan Tshiamala, senior legal counsel and legal affairs at Major League Soccer
Christina E. Unkel, rules analyst for UEFA Champions League and MLS, Florida State Referee Assignor
HOT SHOT 3: THE VALUE OF A CODE OF CONDUCT IN ADULT REC SOCCER WITH NYC FOOTY
RESOURCES SHARED
- NYC Footy x WIS Ted Lasso Code of Conduct – created in partnership with NYC Footy this code of conduct is helping to uphold inclusive values on and off the pitch. Want support developing a COC for your soccer org? Email us ????[email protected]
EXPERTS TO CONTACT
Grace Ahrens, general manager of NYC Footy
HOT SHOT 4: “WHAT’S NEXT?” GOAL SETTING WITH JESSICA MCDONALD
EXPERTS TO CONTACT
Jessica McDonald, pro player, Racing Louisville gold medalist World Cup Champion, USWNT
LIGHTING TALK: BROADCASTING – LIVE Q&A WITH DANIELLE SLATON
EXPERTS TO CONTACT
Danielle Slaton, TV soccer pundit, analyst and an owner of the NWSL Bay Area Team
PANEL 3: DOCTORS IN THE GAME
RESOURCES / JOBS
- The Hidden Opponent– an organization that works to support mental health wellness for athletes.
- Major League Soccer, Manager, Medical, Get it!
EXPERTS TO CONTACT
Dr. Cindy Chang, NWSL chief medical officer
Dr. Mariah Bullock, OL Reign clinical and sports psychologist
Leeann Passaro, chief operating officer at The Hidden Opponent
PANEL 4: CONSCIENTIOUS MEDIA COVERAGE WITH EXPERTS FROM ATTACKING THIRD, CBS, AND THE GIST
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR THE RECORDING
RESOURCES / JOBS
- Attacking Third
- CBS Soccer
- Diaspora United podcast
- The GIST
- The GIST, Newsletter Editor, Get it!
- The GIST, Account Executive, Get it!
EXPERTS TO CONTACT
Sandra Herrera, CBS Sports staff writer, Attacking Third host
Courtney Stith, journalist, host, producer
Pardeep Cattry, The GIST sports business content producer
LIGHTNING TALK: GENDER DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE WITH KAIG LIGHTNER
RESOURCES
- Portland Community Football Club – an inclusive gender-diverse football club
- Athlete Ally: Ally Guide for Coaches
EXPERTS TO CONTACT
Kaig Lightner, the founding executive director of Portland Community Football Club
PANEL 5: BEHIND THE SCENES OF OPERATIONS & SECURITY AT THE MLS
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR THE RECORDING
RESOURCES/JOBS
- Major League Soccer, Coordinator, Operations, Get it!
- Major League Soccer, Director, Operations, Get it!
- Major League Soccer, Manager, Partnership Marketing (Operations), Get it!
- Major League Soccer-Fan Code of Conduct
EXPERTS TO CONTACT
Bethany Ingram, senior coordinator of operations at Major League Soccer
Yulissa Pereyra, senior coordinator of operations at Major League Soccer
Meredith Ley, senior manager of safety & security at Major League Soccer
PANEL 6: UNLOCKING A CAREER IN THE GAME: HOW TO LEVERAGE TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR THE RECORDING
RESOURCES
- Learn more about Mellisa Ortiz’s path from pro player to soccer career off the pitch in WIS Member Spotlight
EXPERTS TO CONTACT
Becki Tweed, assistant coach at Angel City FC
Melissa Ortiz, broadcaster, entrepreneur, Olympian
Heidi Pellerano, chief commercial officer at Concacaf
