Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram
Two graduate students in the baby直播鈥檚 sport management program recently engaged in real-world projects through Riipen, the world’s largest experiential learning marketplace.
Dr. LaJuan Hutchinson, associate professor of sport management, and UWA Provost Tina Jones learned of Riipen鈥檚 opportunities for students seeking internships through a workforce development webinar sponsored by the baby直播 Commission on Higher Education (ACHE).
Hutchinson is the first UWA faculty member to explore Riipen’s marketplace platform, a user-friendly database of over 35,000 businesses and nonprofits. He noted that the work-integrated learning platform provided his students with experience and industry connections 鈥渢hey would have never had otherwise.鈥�
As a client of Riipen, UWA has a landing page on the platform that includes a detailed profile or resume on the university. 鈥淭he profile,鈥� Hutchinson explained, 鈥渆nables companies to shop around for potential interns, or we can find an employer we are interested in by using keywords and parameters to help narrow the search.”
Hutchinson, alongside graduate assistant Austen Cosby, explored Riipen鈥檚 marketplace platform and found a potential internship with an employer in Canada that needed Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) assistance for two major hockey players from Michigan and Minnesota. His next step was to ensure his students were committed to the project.
“As student-athletes, Nathalia Medieros and Kailey Hunt were familiar with NIL,” noted Hutchinson, “but they knew nothing about hockey and the players’ positions on their team, but both were interested and willing to learn.”
Medieros and Hunt faced a demanding task, Hutchinson acknowledged, yet it validated Riipen鈥檚 worth as an investment for the university. 鈥淭hrough Riipen鈥檚 marketplace, we identified an internship project that provided tangible benefits for both the employer and our students, allowing them to enhance their resumes, earn certifications, and integrate with LinkedIn.鈥�
For Cosby, Riipen proved to be an excellent opportunity to gain experience in data analytics, an area of emphasis he鈥檚 concentrating on while earning his M.B.A. at UWA.
鈥淢any online learners and athletes, like me, Medieros, and Hunt, don鈥檛 always have time to pursue a traditional internship,鈥� Cosby noted. 鈥淭his platform evened the playing field and gave each of us the practical experience we desired.鈥�
His experience with Riipen also led to a new professional collaboration for the graduate assistant.
鈥淭hrough this experience, Austen had the opportunity to work with Bliss Adkison, who directs the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning at UWA,鈥� commented Hutchinson, 鈥渁nd now he is her graduate assistant. I was sorry to lose him, but I鈥檓 happy he鈥檚 in a place where he can gain more hands-on experience in data analytics.鈥�
Graduate student Kailey Hunt was impressed with Riipen鈥檚 professionalism, dedication, and expertise in the sport management industry. She said her internship was highly effective due to Riipen’s proactive and supportive approach.
鈥淭heir dedication to the athletes and our project was clear,鈥� said Hunt, 鈥渁nd they were always available to answer questions, provide insights, and share their extensive network of contacts. They went above and beyond to ensure we had all the resources and support needed to succeed.鈥�
Hutchinson explained that while most UWA students will continue to arrange their internships or practicums, Riipen will play a crucial role in filling in the gaps. He added, 鈥淢y responsibility, along with fellow faculty members utilizing the platform, will be to ensure that milestones are achieved and that the final project meets the employer’s specifications.鈥�
“Because of Dr. Hutchinson’s willingness to try the platform and the results of the student experience, we now have faculty across campus and multiple disciplines incorporating these experiences into their classes,” Jones said. “I am excited to see students in biology, accounting, business management, graphic design, communication, and more build their portfolios and gain confidence in the workplace.”