TAMPA 鈥 The sound of golf balls dropping into cups mixed with career conversations Tuesday as students explored opportunities in the golf industry.
and the USF Nault Center for Entrepreneurship hosted a career expo in the Muma College of Business atrium, connecting students with more than 12 job recruiters, industry professionals and a keynote speaker.
Sally Dee
鈥淭ampa Bay is a growing region, so golf has been thriving in this area,鈥 said keynote speaker Sally Dee, a retired LPGA Tour player, USF alumna and founder of Playbook Public Relations.
The expo featured free lunch, giveaways and interactive activities, including a golf simulator and putting game. Students also had the opportunity to meet directly with recruiters and representatives from organizations across the Tampa Bay golf and sports industry.
Recruiters and vendors in attendance included the , , , , , , , , , , t, and .
Dee shared insights from her career during the keynote presentation. As a professional golfer, she served as her own agent and developed a marketing and branding strategy that helped secure endorsements with Callaway, Nike, Adidas, Titleist and Lacoste.
She later founded Playbook Public Relations, which won the Tampa Bay Business Journal鈥檚 鈥淏est in the Biz鈥 award in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017. In 2017, the firm ranked No. 7 out of 56 businesses inducted into the USF Fast 56, an annual program recognizing the 56 fastest-growing businesses owned or led by USF alumni.
鈥淎s far as from a job perspective, there are so many things you can do with golf,鈥 Dee said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 the equipment side of things, you can be in sales, you can be fitting equipment, there鈥檚 the retail side of things, there鈥檚 the event management aspect of it, the food and beverage aspect of it."
Students visited each booth to speak with recruiters.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an industry that once you get into it, you can wear a lot of different hats and really enjoy your career and figure out what you want to do,鈥 she said.
Dee also emphasized the importance of relationships in the field.
鈥淥ne of the things about the golf industry, and I find this to be true about all industries, is that it鈥檚 a people industry,鈥 she said.
The Paradise Golf and USF Nault Center Management and Career Expo was designed to connect students interested in sports, hospitality, management and entrepreneurship with professionals working in the golf industry. Through networking and career exploration, the event highlighted the wide range of opportunities available within the field.