Division 1 HBCU Athlete Helps Players Pivot Into Careers After Sports
Five years ago, Blake Bozeman was a leading scorer at Morgan State University competing for a NCAA March Madness ticket. By the end of the season he had a 6-month-old son, a pending government internship, and a remaining year of graduate school to earn his Master’s Degree. It was at these crossroads Blake realized he had to pivot away from the game and a career overseas to enter a competitive workforce and begin his life after sports.
The Pivot Group is a non-profit organization whose mission is to expand career opportunities for amateur athletes. Through career development, mentorship, and community fundraising the organization aims to equip athletes with valuable skills necessary to excel in various industries.
Only 0.03% of high school players around the country get drafted to the NBA, at an average age of 21. And of that approximate 1/2 percent that make it, the average NBA career is less than 5 years. Considering the odds, at least 99% of players must transition into life after sports by 19, and of the 1% that don’t, half of their careers will end by the time they reach 25. The goal of a lasting career in the NBA, or the NFL, is a long shot, but the transferable skills athletes possess make for a valuable hire in any career field.
The Pivot Group is committed to helping players not only identify these traits but also how to apply them, and to which undiscovered passions and interests.
Blake said “Every year we intend to broker new relationships with local partners, and supply internships to an increasing number of athletes. Pivot Group Partners engage athletes through a multitude of offerings, to include our annual symposium, interview series, event days, shadow opportunities and more. Our impact is measured first by the number of internship opportunities created through our Corporate Scrimmage, and then by the number of participating athletes who acquire entry level jobs in their desired field.
Our ultimate goal at The Pivot Group is to create the change we would like to see amongst businesses and brands. Cultural and ethnic diversity cannot be achieved without the inclusion of black and brown people, and as such we must use the popularity and usefulness of sport to our maximum benefit and be careful not to limit ourselves.”
Blake Bozeman is currently living and working in Washington DC as a Federal Government consultant providing procurement and acquisition subject matter expertise. For More information about The Pivot Group Check Out:
https://www.instagram.com/the_pivotgroup/
https://www.instagram.com/blizzydoesit/?hl=en
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