Your Future

Professional Spotlight:
Cara Hanelin

Cara on the road in Atlanta

Name: Cara Hanelin.

Where do you work? Stanford University in the Athletic Department.

Where's that? Palo Alto, California, about a half hour drive from San Francisco. It is, by the way, a gorgeous place to live and work!

Job title? Assistant Director of Compliance Services
 
What you do? I help to make sure our coaches, staff, and student-athletes understand the NCAA rules that govern collegiate athletics and that they are following them.
 
Why's that important? It’s important so that our student-athletes remain eligible to compete. Another important component of my job is to monitor student-athlete welfare and to ensure that our student-athletes have the best experience possible, including allowing them to compete to the best of their ability, while still succeeding academically, and maintaining balanced lives. In the bigger picture, the NCAA rules seek to ensure that every institution and sports program "plays fair", so all athletes have equal opportunities to compete and to win.
 
Is it any fun? I love my job! I am able to interact with student-athletes and coaches on a daily basis. It is constantly challenging and changes every day. There is never a dull moment. Besides, how can you not enjoy a job where reading ESPN.com and watching sporting events is a part of the daily grind? Picture being courtside at a tennis match on a sunny California afternoon (although not for long-- my emails and phone calls always beckon me back inside).

GAC asks Cara some personal questions:

GAC: Cara, what kind of education did you get to qualify for your job at Stanford?

Cara: I graduated from Mercer Island High School ouside of Seattle, Washington, and I received a Bachelors Degree in Psychology at Santa Clara University, and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
 
GAC: And what previous jobs did you have before this one?

Cara: I worked for 2 years in the Compliance Office as a Graduate Assistant at LMU. In undergraduate school, I worked in the Recreation Center and in the Athletics Department, and in high school, I worked in a soccer shop. As you can see, I have worked around sports ever since I was old enough to get a job..
 
GAC: Have you done volunteer work and is it important in getting work experience?

Cara: I had a feeling that I would like to have a career in a sports-related field and I especially wanted to get experience in an Athletics Department. There was no formal internship program at Santa Clara, so I spoke with several administrators about volunteering my time and I basically created my own internship. It proved to be a great experience and helped me to get my graduate assistantship at LMU!
 
I have also volunteered my time in many community programs and, while none of them had a direct impact on my career, I believe that community service is an important part of everyone's life.

GAC: Is your current job the ultimate for you, or do you have a dream job?

Kickin' it, college-style!

Cara: I hope to stay in college athletics for as long as possible. Ultimately I would like to be a Senior Women's Administrator/SeniorAssociate Athletics Director. My hope is to be able to supervise several sports teams and to be a high ranking administrator in a Division I athletics department. I am especially committed to assuring that women and minorities receive equal treatment in collegiate athletic programs and that all athletes are treated with respect and are able to experience all of the positive benefits of sports competition.

GAC: Who or what inspired you to work in college athletics?

Cara: I played soccer in college and knew that I wanted to have a job that would keep me involved in sports since I wouldn't be playing on a professional level. I was advised by several people to figure out what I love and to make a job of it, so I started talking to various people in the sports world. Eventually, I  figured out how to make it happen (see my final comments about finding the open door). I also love being on a college campus where the energy level is high and there is always something going on.
 
GAC: What would you say to teenage girls who might be interested in a sports-related career?
 
Cara: Go for it! The most important thing to do is to be willing to volunteer your time when you are getting started and to start talking to people whose jobs interest you. Don't be shy about it! You would be surprised at how much people are willing to help you because they are passionate about what they do and are eager to have an opportunity to share their experience and expertise. Be ready to work hard: there is seldom an eight-hour day in college sports administration. It is a great career and highly rewarding.
 
GAC: Finally, what do you do for fun? Read, play sports, exercise, go to movies?

Cara: I still love to play soccer and am on several teams, and I love to work out. I also enjoy hanging out with friends, going dancing, traveling, discovering new restaurants and good food, going to the movies, listening to music, and baking (chocolate chip cookies are my speciality). Oh yeah, and I love to play pickleball.
 
GAC: Thank you so much, Cara! This is great to get to know you and the job you do. You are a wonderful role model for girls and as we wish you the very best, do you have any final words?

Cara: My final word of advice is just to reiterate that you need to figure out how to make a job out of doing something you love. Anything is possible. It may sound cliche, but I truly believe that when one door closes, another will open. If things don't always appear to be going your way just have patience and almost invariably something better will come along, but you have to keep an open mind so that you recognize the door when it opens. I have had this happen several times already in my own life.