THE WIS CAREER FAIR 2022 TOOLKIT
The WIS Career Fair 2022 was an incredible day for connecting industry changemakers, getting women and marginalized individuals hired, as well as showcasing all the ways you can make a difference in soccer by working in the game! Every WIS member represents an inclusive, forward-thinking future for the soccer industry and we’re stoked you’re here to be a part of the movement. This toolkit includes panel recordings, our experts’ contact details, as well as links to all of the professional development resources shared throughout the career fair.
If you haven’t already, follow up with the WIS team in our 1-min feedback survey. More feedback = better events for you.
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, soccer industry jobs on and off the field.
- WIS Guide to Inclusive Interviewing & Hiring Practices In Soccer.
- Right to Be, an organization that provides free training to the public and customized training experiences for businesses, organizations, schools, and colleges about respect and anti-harassment.
Keynote 1: Hiring Changemakers: What Executive Leaders are Thinking When Hiring Today
RESOURCES SHARED/ JOBS ADVERTISED
Join Amanda, Danita and Christina’s trailblazing teams!
EXPERTS TO CONTACT
AMANDA VANDERVORT, President USL Super League, [she/her/hers], DANITA JOHNSON, President of Business Operations, D.C. United, [she/her/hers], CHRISTINA UNKEL, a FIFA referee and a football laws analyst.
LIGHTNING TALK: Transferring Skills From the Field Post-Playing with Melissa Ortiz
EXPERT TO CONTACT
MELISSA ORTIZ, Olympian, On-Camera Host, Soccer Influencer, [she, her, hers]
RESOURCES SHARED
Kickoff Coffee, co-founded by Melissa Ortiz is an artisan roasted coffee brand for soccer people that donates proceeds to causes that improve equity in the game. Use WIS15 for a 15% discount.
HOT TAKE: Show Me The Money with Laura Youngson
EXPERT TO CONTACT
LAURA YOUNGSON, Co-Founder Ida Sports & Equal Playing Field, [she/her/hers]
RESOURCES SHARED
- Ida Sport, is an inclusive soccer footwear brand on a mission to make the best boots in the world for women ballers.
- Equal Playing Field, is a grassroots, non-profit initiative to challenge gender inequality in sport and to promote sports development for girls and women globally.
HOT TAKE: Flexing your Bilingual Power in Soccer with Alejandra Martin
EXPERT TO CONTACT
ALEJANDRA MARTIN, Social media content producer, ProFootballFocus (PFF) and translator, Women in Soccer (WIS)
KEYNOTE 2: Breaking the Bias in Sports Journalism
EXPERTS TO CONTACT
SYLVIA BULLOCK, Co-host of Shea Butter FC podcast, TRACEY SAVELL REAVIS CEO & Founder of The Savell Group, ELLEN HYSLOP Co-Founder, Head of Content, The Gist.
RESOURCES/ JOBS SHARED
- Breaking the Bias in Sports Journalism Panel Takeaways Handout
- Shea Butter FC Podcast
- The Club is a newsletter by Tracey Savell Reavis with curated content on global soccer news.
- The Gist
- The Gist Careers, open roles at The Gist, join Ellen’s team!
HOT TAKE: Mentoring with Fearless & Capable
EXPERT TO CONTACT
CANDICE FABRY, Owner of Fearless & Capable, Head Coach at Ottawa University (KS), [she/her/hers]
RESOURCES SHARED
- Fearless & Capable sports industry mentorship
LIGHTNING TALK: Making It On Your Own In Freelancing with Megan Reyes
EXPERT TO CONTACT
MEGAN REYES, Social Media & Athlete Branding Strategist, On Camera &Podcast Host, Influencer and Content Creator, [she/her/hers]
RESOURCES SHARED
- Meet Harlow, a freelance organization tool
- Notion, workplace organization tool
KEYNOTE 3: A Winning Strategy: The Importance of Hiring Mental Wellness Experts on and off the Field
EXPERTS TO CONTACT
CHRISTINA VANDENBERG, CEO & Co-Founder, MyHuddle | Mental Training Accessible For Every Athlete [she/her], LISA BONTA SUMII ([email protected]), Mental Health and Sport Performance Coach, Oakland Roots, [she/her/hers], DYLAN MICHAEL FIRSICK ([email protected]) PhD, CMPC, Athletic Director of Mental Health & Performance, University of Georgia, [he/him].
RESOURCES SHARED
- AthMindset, owned by Lisa Bonta Summii, provides unique support for athletes’ mental well-being through the understanding that performing in their sport is a part of their identity.
- My Huddle, co-founded by Christina Vandenberg, helps student-athletes feel and perform at their best in sport and life. They have 1:1 Sport Psych that individual athletes/parents can sign up for and Mental Training Team Workshops for coaches.
LIGHTNING TALK: Successful Career Strategies: Working the Job Market with Steph Yang
EXPERT TO CONTACT
STEPH YANG, Staff writer, The Athletic, [she/her/hers]
RESOURCES SHARED
KEYNOTE 4: Allyship: Unconscious Bias and How to Overcome it
EXPERTS TO CONTACT
KAIYA MCCULLOUGH, Chairwoman, Anti-Racist Soccer Club, Program Manager, Common Goal (she/her), BRANDON MILLER, Executive Director of the Black Player’s Alliance and co-founder of Anti-Racist Soccer Club (he/him), EMET MARWELL, Policy & Programs Manager, Athlete Ally (he/him)
RESOURCES SHARED
- Anti Racist Soccer Club is a movement to fight racism in soccer. A coalition to create action and accountability.
- Common Goal aims to inspire everyone in football to collaborate towards an equal and sustainable future for all.
- Athlete Ally is on a mission to end the rampant homophobia and transphobia in sport and to activate the athletic community to exercise their leadership to champion LGBTQI+ equality.
HOT TAKE: What to Know When Applying for a Coaching Position with Tracy Hamm
EXPERT TO CONTACT
TRACY HAMM, Head Coach women’s soccer UC Davis, [she/her/hers]
RESOURCES SHARED
- “Coach” the movie. Need a shot of inspiration? Take 25 minutes to watch Coach—you won’t regret it! The film follows WIS’s own Tracy Hamm in her quest to earn the prestigious UEFA-A license.
HOT TAKE: 3 Key Tips to Community Engagement with USL Changemaker award winner Karen Gonzalez of the Oakland Roots
EXPERT TO CONTACT
KAREN GONZALEZ, Director of Community Engagement and Experience, Oakland Roots, 2021 USL Changemaker Award Winner, [she/her/hers]
JOBS SHARED
- Join Karen’s team with a career at Oakland Roots
KEYNOTE 5: Fostering inclusion through investment strategies: A conversation with Jessica Smith, Head of Revenue at Angel City FC
EXPERTS TO CONTACT
JESSICA SMITH, Head of revenue, Angel City FC, (she/her), ANDREA PILAR, Digital Media & Content Producer, NJ/NY Gotham FC, (she/her)
JOBS SHARED
- Join Jessica’s team with a career at Angel City
- Join Andrea’s team with a career at Gotham FC
