Calgary based executive coaching and peer mentorship firm.

GAME PLAN AT A GLANCE

Game Plan, powered by Deloitte, is Canada’s total athlete wellness program that strives to support national team athletes to live better and more holistic lives. Through the development of their skills and network, athletes are able to focus on education and career opportunities. This case study is an example of how job shadowing provides a unique opportunity for athletes to discover their future careers.

Job shadowing allows for athletes to be exposed to an organization at no cost to the host. The day long commitment involves having the athlete buddy up with an employee and shadow their work throughout the day. This is a great opportunity for employers to get to know potential candidates and support athletes going through a transitional stage of their careers.

ATHLETE’S EXPERIENCE:

HALEY DANIELS Athlete, Canoe Slalom

Haley Daniels is the reigning Canadian Champion in women’s whitewater slalom canoeing. As a devoted member of Canoe Kayak Canada’s National Team she represents Canada at international competitions such as World Cups and World Championships. In addition to her success in the water, Haley will be finishing her undergraduate degree in Marketing by the end of 2017.

1. What was the timeframe for your application? I started looking during the summer of 2016. I connected with Cara Button, my Game Plan Advisor, and it took about a month from first point of contact to beginning the job shadow.

2. What was the application and interview process like? The process was simple. I had to send my resume and LinkedIn profile, and then I was matched with a executive coaching and peer mentorship firm. I connected with my soon-to-be supervisor who asked me questions and we had an open discussion.

3. Who was your supervisor/mentor during the job shadow? Mandy Moran, the National Marketing Manager, Brand & Communications, was an Olympic alternate for the diving team in and was chosen to be my mentor during the job shadow‎. It was a natural fit, as she understood the athlete perspective and what the transition feels like.

4. How big was your team and what kind of activities were you introduced to? During my day there, I went in and Mandy would introduce me to dozens of employees. She explained what each department does, and how all parts of the organization communicate and interact with one another. I started my job shadow the same day as another new full-time hire started, which was a good way to see how the company actually integrates new employees. Even though I was not an employee, they brought me to planning meetings for various events and would ask my opinion on specific questions. I also got to know employees on a more informal level which was a great way to build my network.

5. What was the most valuable thing about your job shadowing experience? It was valuable to see how much collaboration there is in an office and how they get to work together as a team; it felt like a family. It feels good to know that you’re not alone, that you have other people to bounce ideas around with. It was cool to be able to provide feedback and give an outsider’s perspective. “Transitioning to a new job after your athletic career can be really intimidating. It’s great to have the opportunity with Game Plan to discover new industries; it feels like we really have our backs covered!”

EMPLOYER’S EXPERIENCE

MANDY MORAN

Former national team athlete, Diving,‎ and National Marketing Manager, Brand & Communications

1. What do you think this opportunity offered to Haley as a young professional? There are many jobs that you may not know even exist until you get exposure and get the chance to be part of an organization. This is where you learn what skill sets are needed. My goal was to give Haley that opportunity; to show her what a marketing team in a small-medium sized business can look like from the inside, and show her what skill set is required for each role in it. This way, as an athlete, you can keep your focus, not be overly distracted and not feel like you’re missing out on your future.

2. What qualities did you see in Haley that could contribute the most to your company? Her eagerness to learn, her dedication and seizing everything out of this opportunity. She recognized that we were giving her a chance, and it was an opportunity for us as well to get to know her. We work as a team and even if she is from an individual sport, you can see she really enjoyed being part of it.

3. How do elite athletes fit into your work culture? We’re a high performing team, our standards are high and we want to deliver the best experience for our clients. We want to attract the best, there is no room for mediocrity, and that parallels with elite athletes. Everyday you have to come and put the work in. “Elite athletes have the self-confidence to fit well in our environment.”

4. How was the job shadow structured in your department? Haley met and interacted with everyone in the organization, and spent most of her time studying the various roles within our team. We had her spend an hour with each department: partnerships, events, digital, communications, PR, designers, administration. We brought her to meetings and other day-to-day activities, which made it easier for us to accommodate her.

5. Would you repeat the experience in the future? Or suggest it other departments? I would absolutely recommend her, and welcome her back. On the day she left, someone on our team said “I wish we could hire her!” We are interested in offering this opportunity to other athletes like Haley in the future, and we encourage other businesses to do the same.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

CARA BUTTON

Game Plan Advisor, Canadian Sport Institute Calgary

Job shadowing is a great opportunity for an athlete to learn about a specific role or roles within a company. It brings the “job” to life, as opposed to simply reading a job description. The one day commitment gives you a chance to observe the company culture and determine if it is a place where you might like to work someday.

The more you can explore options and understand different roles, the greater chance of landing a position that fits what you are looking for. Game Plan can help arrange a job shadow in any field that you are interested in, and it’s a great way to be introduced to a new career opportunity. Join the Game Plan Employer Network: Contact us at [email protected]