Amplify Your Voice. Build Connections. Sync Opportunities.
Career Tracks brings together HRSM alumni and industry leaders through panel discussions, networking, engaging group activities, and more — offering valuable insights to help students build confidence and access resources for academic and career success. All students are invited to attend the event to connect, learn from one another and grow together.
Event Highlights
- Keynote Address: Get inspired by Wendy Day as she shares insights into her professional journey in the entertainment industry. In a fireside chat interview format, Dr. C. Keith Harrison, Professor of Sports Business and Hip-Hop research and enthusiast from University of Central Florida, will interview Day about her amazing career.
- Industry Panel: Engage in thought-provoking discussions with leaders such as Darrell Comer (Tandem Sports + Entertainment), Cameron Dinkins (PGA Works), Ronisha Goodwin (Hyatt Corporation), Carla Vaca Pinacho (Miles Partnership), Alexandria Williams (Dallas Mavericks), Sharonda Weatherspoon (Ralph Lauren), and more.
- Exclusive Networking: Connect with professionals like Fred Ravenell (Atlanta Hawks), John Thomas (Morgan Stanley), Nikita Smith (23XI Racing), and Kadeem Washington (Hyatt Corporation), and more.
- Workshops: Think globally and participate in sessions covering international employment both domestically and abroad (led by Ivey Raybon, Compass Group), and mindfulness virtual reality (sponsored by Hyatt, presented by USC School of Medicine and USC Student Health & Well-Being).
- Lunch & Networking Mixer at the USC Women’s Basketball Game: Engage with peers, mentors and industry professionals in an informal setting.
- Student Panel Discussion: Hear from fellow students about their experiences.
Apply to Attend
Each event has limited seating! We encourage you to register early to secure your place at this invaluable event so you don't miss out on this unique opportunity to enrich your career journey and expand your professional network.
Event Schedule
Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Noon – 1:15 p.m. | Opening Remarks and Lunch KEYNOTE: Executive discussion with Wendy Day interviewed by Dr. C. Keith Harrison |
HRSM Welcome Center Corner Suite (1st Floor, Close-Hipp) |
| 2 – 3 p.m. | Think Globally about International Employment | HRSM Welcome Center Corner Suite (1st Floor, Close-Hipp) |
| 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Mindfulness & Virtual Reality sponsored by Hyatt and presented by USC Medical School & USC Health & Wellbeing | HRSM Welcome Center Corner Suite (1st Floor, Close-Hipp) |
| 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. | Networking Break |
HRSM Welcome Center Corner Suite (1st Floor, Close-Hipp) |
| 7 p.m. | USC vs. Arkansas Women's Basketball Game Attendees are responsible for requesting a student ticket through the University. You are invited to stop by Suite D before the game for a pre-game mixer! |
Colonial Life Arena |
Friday, Feb. 21, 2025
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 9 – 10 a.m. | Breakfast Networking Session |
USC Conference Center, Eastview Room (8th Floor, Close-Hipp) |
| 10 – 10:45 a.m. | Industry Panel |
USC Conference Center, Lumpkin Auditorium (8th Floor, Close-Hipp) |
| 11 – 11:30 a.m. | Student Panel Discussion |
USC Conference Center, Lumpkin Auditorium (8th Floor, Close-Hipp) |
Keynote Speaker & Moderator
Wendy Day (Keynote)
Wendy Day is a music industry strategist, entrepreneur and author with over 30 years of experience. As the founder of Rap Coalition, she has helped countless hip-hop artists escape bad deals and build sustainable careers. She also runs PowerMoves, a consulting firm for independent artists, and Inner Circle, a music education community.
Day has brokered some of hip-hop’s biggest deals, including Master P’s No Limit 85/15 distribution deal, Cash Money’s $30 million contract with Universal and Twista’s 50/50 venture with Atlantic. She has played a key role in launching artists like Eminem, David Banner, Lil Wayne and Boosie.
Based in Atlanta, Day is launching Artist Centric in 2025, a music incubator for independent artists. A sought-after speaker, she has been featured in Billboard, Rolling Stone, NPR and more. In her free time, she enjoys real estate investing, glass art and traveling to Paris, Cairo and Chicago.
Dr. C. Keith Harrison (Moderator)
Dr. C. Keith Harrison is a professor in the DeVos Sport Business Management Graduate Program at the University of Central Florida and former founding director of The Minor that’s Major™ Sport Business Management Undergraduate Program. A leader in sport business education, he has contributed to the globally ranked DeVos Graduate Program and founded UCF’s Business of Hip-Hop Innovation & Creative Industries Certificate. He also teaches at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.
A former NCAA scholar-athlete, Dr. Harrison holds degrees from West Texas A&M, California State University (Dominguez Hills) and University of Southern California. His research focuses on athlete identity, diversity and multicultural marketing, with collaborations including the NFL, Jordan Brand and RISE. He co-authored the NFL’s Good Business series and co-edited Sport Business Analytics. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Harrison remains a thought leader in sport business innovation, inclusion and cultural impact.
Panelists and Guest Speakers
-
Darrell Comer Jr.
Tandem Sports + Entertainment
-
Cameron Dinkins
PGA of America
-
Ronisha Goodwin
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
-
Evanna Howell
23XI Racing
-
Carla Vaca Pinacho
Miles Partnership
-
Ivey Rabon
Compass Group USA, Inc.
-
Fred Ravenell
Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena
-
Kreig Robinson
23XI Racing
-
Nikita Smith
23XI Racing
-
William Stephens
Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena
-
John Thomas
Morgan Stanley
-
Kadeem Washington
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
-
Alexandria Williams
Dallas Mavericks
Career Tracks Recap
The inaugural Career Tracks featured inspiring thought leaders, including Dr. Toby Jenkins, author of The Hip-Hop Mindset, mental health advocate Ashley Young and Disney recruiter Dave Tucker. Attendees benefited from engaging industry panels with executives from Delta, Macy's, Belk, the Atlanta Hawks, 23XI Racing and Five Below, offering insights into career opportunities and trends.
Keynote and Guest Speakers
-
Dave Tucker
The Walt Disney Company
-
Dr. Toby Jenkins
University of South Carolina
-
Ashley Young
Everyday Wellness, LLC
-
Ashley Givens
Belk, Inc.
-
John Thomas
Morgan Stanley
-
Taylor Collins
Delta Air Lines
-
Mave Fleming Jr.
Macy's
-
Kara Harmon
Special Olympics of South Carolina
-
Fred Ravenell
Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena
-
Nikita Smith
23 XI Racing
-
Kreig Robinson
23 XI Racing
-
Carla Vaca Pinacho
Miles Partnership
Symposium Schedule
Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 3:30 p.m. | KEYNOTE: Disney Networking Presentation Dave Tucker (Recruiter) |
HRSM Welcome Center |
| 4:30 p.m. | Networking Mixer | Corner Suite |
| 7 p.m. | USC vs. Alabama Women's Basketball Game | Colonial Life Arena |
Friday, Feb. 23, 2024
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 a.m. | Networking Breakfast Featuring Women in Sport and Entertainment Management |
Conference Center, 8th Floor Close-Hipp |
| 9:10 a.m. | Opening Remarks Dr. Erica Lake (Interim Assistant Dean and Director of Corporate Engagement) |
Lumpkin Auditorium |
| 9:15 a.m. | Welcome Dr. Michael Sagas (Dean) |
Lumpkin Auditorium |
| 9:20 a.m. | Networking Session Featuring National Society of Minorities in Hospitality |
Lumpkin Auditorium |
| 9:40 a.m. | Shine a Light on Me Industry Panel Navigating Corporate America
|
Lumpkin Auditorium |
| 10:30 a.m. | Student Panel Discussion Moderated by HRSM UnderREPRESENTED
|
Lumpkin Auditorium |
| 11 a.m. | KEYNOTE: The Hip Hop Mindset Dr. Toby Jenkins (Professor of Higher Education and Associate Provost for Faculty Development) |
Lumpkin Auditorium |
| 12:10 p.m. | Affinity Group Lunch
|
Eastview / Westview |
| 1:10 p.m. | KEYNOTE: Strategies for Managing Your Mental Health Ashley Young (Counselor / Therapist) |
Corner Suite |
| 2:20 p.m. | Industry Mentorship Breakout Session
|
Corner Suite |
| 3:10 p.m. | Reflection and Wrap Up | Corner Suite |
Career Tracks 2024 Photo Gallery
