CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Nine Carolina student-athletes participated in this semester’s Career Trek to Charlotte, where they had the opportunity to network with professionals across a range of industries. The experience provided valuable insight and off-the-field preparation as they plan for life after graduation.
The group kicked off the morning with a visit to Accenture, a global information and technology company employing over 779,000 people, serving 9,000+ clients across more than 120 countries and partnering with more than 350 organizations. During their time at Accenture the student-athletes explored developmental programs, alignment and deployment strategies, and experienced what a day in the life of an analyst would look like. The group concluded the visit by learning about the future of business, strategies for client engagement and gaining valuable leadership insights.
Later in the morning, the group made its second stop of the day at Wells Fargo, a proud Carolina Athletics sponsor. Student-athletes had the opportunity to learn about the company’s various lines of business, ranging from finance to banking and more. Team members from different departments shared insights into their day-to-day roles, career paths and how Wells Fargo supports professional development. The visit concluded with an open networking session, where students connected directly with employees across the organization and a tour of the trading floor, offering a behind-the-scenes view of the company’s financial operations.
“The most eye-opening part for me was being on the trading floor at Wells Fargo,” Sabino Portella of the wrestling team said. “The energy in the building was unreal, you could just feel how fast everything moves and how focused everyone has to be. Even walking through the other offices throughout the day, I noticed how each company had its own unique atmosphere that really reflected teamwork and professionalism. It made the whole experience feel real and motivating.”
In the afternoon, the group traveled to the FBI, learning about the government and public administration. They learned about various items like the hiring process, physical fitness exam demonstrations, SWAT/ERT weapons and taxis demonstrations, while speaking with employees one on one.
“The trip to Charlotte was a super interesting experience for me,” Emilie Maihs of the women’s soccer team said. “The visit to the FBI stood out the most to me because I could envision myself being an FBI agent in the future. Seeing the different jobs and meeting such amazing people who guided and supported us made me realize even more how much I would like to become an agent one day. It really strengthened my motivation and gave me a clearer picture of what my future could look like.”
To wrap up the day, the group attended a sports industry panel at the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) headquarters. The panel featured professionals from across the industry, including Rebecca Fiorentino (NASCAR), Ashleigh Fisher (ESPN), Samantha Shelley (MKTG Agency), Cadie Bates Koppenhaver (Charlotte Sports Commission) and Hannah Chandrana (Carolina Panthers). They shared their personal journeys and insights into breaking into the sports world with the student-athletes in attendance.
“My biggest takeaway was the importance of networking, adaptability and translating the skills we build as student-athletes into future careers,” Portella added. “Meeting professionals (many of whom were former student-athletes) showed me how discipline, leadership and communication apply beyond sports. The trip gave me a clearer picture of potential career paths and reminded me that the habits we develop through athletics can carry over into any professional setting. Overall, it was an incredible learning experience that motivated me to stay intentional about building connections and exploring new opportunities after my time at UNC.”
For the most up to date information on all things Carolina Athletics, follow @GoHeels on all social media platforms.