How student athletes are changing the game

The program’s participants, pictured on their first day at Red Hat

On June 1, the first cohort of student athletes arrived at the Raleigh office to take part in the Red Hat Sales Combine Accelerator Program. The group of 6 engaged in a newly launched 3-week micro-internship, using skills carefully honed on the playing field and translating them into the world of technology sales. 

The pilot program at Red Hat is the first of its kind, aimed at collaboration with emerging talent who possess unique skills and insight. In addition to their position as students, the participants balance their role as athletes, and navigate those commitments through the summer. The internship was crafted with flexibility, taking their training schedules into consideration. We spoke to some of the program participants and mentors to learn more about how an athletic career translates to a role in the technology industry, and about their experiences in the pilot program.

Rory Jones Amen Hetep, a rising senior and wide receiver at North Carolina A&T State University, cited discipline when asked how his sport has shaped him as an individual today. 

“Obviously, I love football, but I don't want to wake up at 5 AM every day,” said Rory. “But, just knowing that I have to do something for a higher goal, I take that way beyond the football field.”

Rory also mentioned collaboration as a foundational trait he learned from football, with the sport teaching him about connecting with different people who are all aligned towards a single goal.     

As a result of those grueling 5 AM workouts, fast-paced practices, and packed weeks, the group holds an unparalleled set of skills. Being committed, driven, and coachable are synonymous with their identities as student athletes. But what really changes the game—transforming a competitive match-up into a momentous win—is the thread of connection between teammates. That spirit of connection and community was apparent as the student athletes made their mark at the Raleigh office. 

“You know, on the field, when you're first bonding with teammates, there's a lot of disconnection,” said Rory. “You’re not sure how you're the same, you're not sure how to connect, and that was sort of the same in the corporate space.”

Rory explained that he took advantage of being in the office—taking the time to learn about his fellow interns and experiencing Red Hatters beyond the internship program and the office setting. 

“I've made some really good friends here in just 3 weeks that I will probably remember for a really long time,” he reflected. “So, there's a lot of similarities between having a teammate and having a coworker, and I’ve been able to take advantage of both.”

The student athletes spent their days immersed in the world of technology sales, researching Red Hat sales strategy to generate potential areas of improvement. In addition to daily meetings, check-ins with mentors, and collaboration with other interns,  the cohort was invited to several workshops on various topics, including personal branding and professional development. Social mixers—including a “Rep Your School” event—provided a space for the interns to learn from fellow Red Hatters, ask questions, and share their own unique experiences. 

The participants also had the opportunity to connect with former athletes at Red Hat, learning the ways their repertoire of skills might be molded to increase their impact in the workplace. 

One of those former athletes was Joy Wilkerson, a public relations specialist at Red Hat and former collegiate basketball player. Joy shared some reflections about her personal journey and the ways relationships formed on a team translate in the office. 

“While the connections forged on the field are born from the raw accountability of shared physical suffering, they translate into the workplace as high-level emotional intelligence, tactical collaboration, and a unique immunity to taking constructive criticism personally.” 

“Ultimately, ex-athletes bridge the gap between these 2 worlds by treating corporate projects like high-stakes games—they know how to adapt to different roles, build psychological safety within a group, and rally a professional team to execute a vision when the pressure is on.”

The internship ended with a capstone presentation where participants presented findings from their research

Morgan Salzano, HR business partner, agrees that some of the habits formed during her college softball career show up in her professional life, sometimes in unexpected ways.

“I had a meeting recently that I really wanted to go well, and I found myself slipping right back into my old pregame routine: a good breakfast, music that put me in the right headspace, and plenty of positive self-talk. 

I noticed that I felt the same adrenaline I used to feel before stepping into the circle to pitch a softball game, except now I’m preparing for moments that stretch me professionally, instead of games on a field.”

The 3-week micro internship culminated in a final presentation during which the student athletes presented their findings to an open audience, including members of the sales team and their fellow interns. Delivered either in pairs or individually, all the presentations involved strategic analysis of the sales team. Some presenters opted to take on the role of prospective clients, analyzing Red Hat’s technology as opposed to its competitors. All of the presenters offered insight on forward-thinking improvements. 

At the program’s conclusion, Jenna Skibbe, a lacrosse player at Davidson College, told us that the biggest highlight was evaluating a real business challenge.

“It’s a great opportunity to gain exposure to the tech industry, apply skills I've developed as a student-athlete, and connect with other students and professionals,” expressed Jenna. “I’m thankful for the experience and everything I learned throughout the program.”

Overall, the program is a valuable reminder of the mutual learning and innovation potential gained from collaboration with emerging talent from varied backgrounds and experiences. Senior Program Manager, Amy Hedgepeth, who led the rollout of the pilot program and provided the student athletes with the resources to hone their skills and create meaningful impact during their time at Red Hat, commented on the future of the program after the final presentations. 

“The student athlete micro-internship proved to be a resounding success, both in terms of participant and mentor feedback,” shared Amy. “Scaling or extending this initiative represents a premier opportunity to connect with competitive future talent, and we look forward to hosting future cohorts of this program." 

Want to stay connected about upcoming Emerging Talent programs at Red Hat? Keep an eye on our careers site and sign up for our Talent Community to get updates on future opportunities.