Career Moves: Lily Emlong ’24 scores a touchdown in the Big Apple | Today at Elon
Lily Emlong is the next student to be featured in the “Career Moves” series, which highlights the achievements of Elon students and alumni who credit staff in Elon’s Student Professional Development Center with helping them achieve their professional goals.
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In this Career Moves article, Lily Emlong ’24, a sport management major from Minnesota, talks about her path to a job with the New York Jets. Her inspiring journey highlights the importance of perseverance, networking and building relationships in pursuing a successful career in the sports industry.
Lily Emlong ’24 started at Elon feeling uncertain about her career aspirations. However, through the support of career services and mentorship from faculty members, she secured internships with prestigious sports organizations. She gained valuable skills that ultimately led to her dream opportunity in the NFL.
Throughout her time at Elon, Emlong’s personal and professional growth soared, transforming her from a hesitant freshman into a confident, skilled professional ready to tackle challenges in the sports industry. The foundational skills acquired at Elon have primed the sport management major for success in her new role at the New York Jets.
When Emlong arrived at Elon, she embarked on a journey filled with curiosity and uncertainty about her future. With a love for all things sports and the desire to lead a department, she discovered sport management. Determined to make an impact in professional sports and fueled by her lifelong love for football, Emlong set her sights on the NFL.
Collaborating with career advisors, including faculty mentor Associate Professor of Sport Management Shaina Dabbs, enabled Emlong to refine her leadership skills, expand her network and navigate challenges with unwavering support. She actively engaged through appointments, workshops, and events tailored to her busy schedule. Their guidance on resume building, networking, and interview strategies set the foundation for her career pursuits. It instilled the belief that any goal, no matter how ambitious, is attainable with dedication and support. Her journey is a testament to the power of utilizing resources and seizing opportunities at Elon.
Emlong’s dedication to securing impactful internships led her to positions with the Hickory Crawdads, Milwaukee Bucks and the National MS Society. Each experience provided valuable insights into the sports industry and equipped her with the skills necessary to excel in future endeavors. Interactions with potential employers empowered Emlong to hone her networking abilities and build confidence in preparation for her dream role with the New York Jets. These engagements were instrumental in shaping her professional growth and setting her up for success.
“I could tell that the people at the Jets all had a strong relationship with each other. I could see that they cared about each other past being coworkers, and this is the type of family culture I was looking for.”
Upon being invited for an interview with the Jets, Emlong sought support from Assistant Director of Career Advising for Athletes James “Ferg” Ferguson as she navigated the unfamiliar territory. She gained the confidence to leave a lasting impression during the group interview through role-playing scenarios and tailored advice.
Moving from Minnesota to New York felt like a huge leap for Emlong, and so she wanted to ensure she would enjoy the people she worked with. From an early point in the interview process, she could tell that the New York Jets had a strong company culture.
This summer, Emlong will join the Flight Academy within the sales department at the New York Jets. She is eager to immerse herself in the world of professional sports through hands-on experience and interaction with fans. Emlong looks forward to leveraging her skills and building lasting relationships within the industry.
She is poised to contribute positively to the team’s culture and drive her career forward in the competitive world of professional sports. As she embarks on this exciting chapter, she stands as an inspiration to her fellow students, demonstrating that with determination and guidance, dreams can indeed become reality.
“Go for any opportunity…Elon works so hard to help set students up for their futures – use the resources that are available to you,” Emlong said.
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