By Brooke Wilson

When I accepted my internship, I knew I would have the opportunity to develop professional skills and contribute to an impactful project. I was originally intrigued by this internship because it was unlike any other I’d seen. Since the project focused on the student-athlete experience, my background as a collegiate athlete allowed me to contribute in a unique way from the very beginning. This project focuses on enhancing the higher-education experiences of student-athletes by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to improve their environments. What I didn’t expect was how much my athletic background would shape my approach to this work and directly influence the project. My role in the project allowed me to contribute a personal perspective, identify trends in the data, and help develop questions for further exploration. This internship has shown me that my experiences are not only valuable to my own growth but also to improving the student-athlete experience for others. 

Being a student-athlete has taught me far more than how to compete in my sport. It has required me to develop strong time management skills, communicate effectively, adapt to unexpected challenges, and remain committed even when balancing multiple responsibilities feels overwhelming. Like many student-athletes that this project focuses on, I have experienced the constant balancing act of meeting academic expectations while dedicating countless hours to athletics.

in others’ lives. As an aspiring physician assistant, I hope to combine clinical knowledge with empathy, compassion, and strong interpersonal skills to provide patient-centered care. My time competing in college has shown me the importance of having healthcare professionals who not only understand injuries and physical health but also recognize the mental, emotional, and academic challenges that can accompany them.

Working on a project centered around the student-athlete experience has deepened my appreciation for the factors that influence an individual’s success both on and off the field. It has reminded me that every person’s circumstances are unique, and that effective care requires listening, understanding, and treating the whole person rather than just addressing a single problem. These are values I hope to carry with me as a physician assistant, to advocate for my patients, support them through difficult moments, and help them achieve healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Throughout my internship, I have found myself viewing projects through a similar lens to the one I use in athletics. Much of my work has involved analyzing data from the US Department of Education’s EADA Reports, comparing them, and identifying trends. Using this data, I looked at the numbers and common themes, then considered the student-athletes themselves. Each statistic represents the experiences of student-athletes balancing the same responsibilities I have experienced. I was able to review the data from the University I attend, connect my experiences to the statistics, compare them with other institutions, and reflect on how those statistics influence student-athletes. Having lived experiences like those of the population we are trying to improve allows me to contribute ideas and context grounded in firsthand knowledge, adding another dimension to the work beyond simply interpreting data. 

One of the most rewarding aspects of this internship has been recognizing that learning and contributing can happen simultaneously. As interns, we often expect to spend our time absorbing information from more experienced people. While that has certainly been true, I have also realized that my own background has value. Having lived the student-athlete experience allows me to provide insights that help shape discussions and decisions in ways others may not immediately recognize. It has been rewarding to know that my experiences are contributing to work designed to support future student-athletes. 

This internship has reinforced that our personal experiences can be one of our greatest professional strengths. Being a student-athlete has prepared me to understand the unique challenges and opportunities collegiate athletes face, while this experience has taught me how to transform that understanding into meaningful work. More importantly, it has shown me that meaningful change begins with understanding the people behind the data. As I pursue a career as a physician assistant, I hope to continue combining analytical thinking with empathy and lived experience to advocate for others. Whether working with student-athletes or future patients, I want to use both my personal experiences and professional skills to create environments where individuals feel supported and empowered to succeed.