Setting the Foundation

Breaking Into The Sports Industry

Travis Beckum, UW–Madison football alum and former NFL tight end, joins Built for What’s Next to talk about life after the game, the skills that translate beyond sport, and how student-athletes can use their experience to create opportunities in the professional world. From competing at a high level to building a career in sports, this episode is all about what it takes to make the transition.

Careers in Finance & Long-Term Thinking

Eric Schremp joins Built for What’s Next to break down careers in finance and the power of long-term thinking. From commercial banking and relationship building to skills student-athletes already possess, this episode explores how discipline, delayed gratification, and strategy translate beyond sport. Whether you have a finance background or not, this conversation highlights different paths into the industry and what it takes to build a career over time.

Interview & Professional Edge

Victoria Ziemek joins Built for What’s Next to break down what actually separates candidates in the hiring process. From interview mistakes to professional presence and translating the student-athlete experience, this episode focuses on how to earn opportunities and stand out.

Setting the Foundation

What comes next after sport? In this opening episode of the Built for What’s Next series, we sit down with Duane Cooper, Associate Director of Employer Relations, to talk about preparing student-athletes for life after competition. From internships and networking to career readiness and professional development, Duane shares how student-athletes can start building their foundation now. This is the first episode in our Built for What’s Next series — helping student-athletes navigate career spaces and life after sport.

NIL at Wisconsin: Separating Fact from Fiction

In this episode, McKayla sits down with Olivia, Manager of NIL Athlete Marketing at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, to break down what Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) really looks like for student-athletes. From the resources available on campus to the most common myths and misconceptions, this conversation provides a clear and honest look at how athletes can navigate NIL the right way. Whether you're just getting started or looking to maximize your opportunities, this episode offers practical insight and real-world perspective.