Brenna Murray, a graduate student on women's soccer, discusses her time at Robert Morris interning in Student-Athlete Development and how she will use this experience to positively impact her career. 

Give us a little background on you – where are you from, what is your current area of study, what team do you compete for at RMU and what is your current internship role?
I am graduate student on the RMU women's soccer team from Raleigh, North Carolina. I am currently completing my masters in Organizational Leadership and I'm a Student-Athlete Experience and Leadership Development Intern in Student-Athlete Development in the RMU Athletic Department. 

Why did you choose to intern in student-athlete development? 
I've always enjoyed working with student-athletes. As a self-proclaimed "SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee product", I found my home in my undergraduate career in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee even more than I did on the field or in my locker room. This is where I found my seat at the table, my voice, and the chance to be a part of something bigger than myself. I've been lucky enough to be able to expand that voice and my exposure to the industry here at RMU. I love supporting athletes and watching their growth, exposing them to new ideas, and creating impactful experiences for them and the community. 

What are some of your responsibilities or projects you get to work on?
I spend most of my time working on whatever upcoming student-athlete development programming is coming to fruition – making graphics, organizing event details, etc. I also have been fortunate to gain an inside look at how the Colonial Leadership Academy runs their meetings and the projects that the athletes participate in throughout the school year. As both and intern and an athlete on the executive board of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, I also spend time connecting with those individuals to support events, meetings and Horizon League or campus initiatives they are planning. Additionally I do whatever else needs to be done! Dropping off donations, compiling the athletic department student-athlete monthly update, and managing the student-athlete development Instagram and the X platform (formerly Twitter). 

Can you describe what your experience has been like interning for RMU Athletics?
I have really enjoyed my time interning here! I started in August working for Danny Bonaventura, Associate AD for Student-Athlete Development and I would describe my time here as hands on and interactive. I have had the chance to learn a lot by sitting in on conversations and meetings, and even been given the opportunity to brainstorm and give input on programming and initiatives. I played a large role in organizing the recent National Girls and Women in Sports Day Event and felt I was able to see my ideas come to fruition and gain experience in organizing panels, deciding event details, and communicating with numerous individuals to make it all happen. I've been grateful for Danny, and all the other administrators at RMU for being very supportive, welcoming and helpful in teaching me so much already and I'm looking forward to more. 

How has your experience as a student-athlete contributed to your career goals?
Being a collegiate student-athlete changed my career goals and shaped my path into what it is today. In undergrad I was an Exercise Science major, and was planning on going to Physical Therapy school. My time in SAAC and my experiences with so many athletic administrators who cared about me as a person and left such a positive impression on me inspired me to lean into student-athlete development and a career in college athletics. I want to give back to the athletes in the same way that so many others have been able to for me. Additionally, being a student-athlete has taught me hard work, dedication, and how to collaborate effectively with others. The combination of the motivation to improve the student-athlete experience and the skill set I've gained by competing collegiately has shaped my career goals today. 
 

Past Colonial Connections Issues
Volume 1, Issue 1