Two MIAA student-athletes - Alma's Kelly Wilson and Hope's Jamie Rogalski - are among 200 student-athletes from around the country who will be attending the NCAA's Career In Sports Forum next week in Indianapolis.

Wilson (pictured left) is a member of the Alma women's soccer team and just completed her junior year, while Rogalski (pictured right), who is entering her senior year at Hope, plays on the Flying Dutch volleyball team.

The Career in Sports Forum, which will be held June 4-7, is an annual educational forum hosted by the NCAA. It brings together student-athletes to learn and explore potential careers in sports, primarily in intercollegiate athletics.

Topics include how personal values intersect with career opportunities, how behavioral styles impact individual effectiveness, the key professional and career development information that assists from a student-athlete to a professional, and the role of the intercollegiate coach or athletic administrator.

Forum attendees will hear from keynote speakers and panelists, highlighted by NCAA president Mark Emmert, Great Lakes Valley Conference commissioner Jim Naumovich, and Ole Miss Director of Athletics Ross Bjork. The participants also learn best practices for gaining employment and gathering a better understanding of what future expectations will be once they get a job in sports. 

Wilson is a business administration major at Alma, looking to pursue her career in the sports industry after her four years as a student-athlete. 

"My future goals in the athletic industry are to be surrounded by people who want to get better in anything they do," Wilson said. "I understand that being in the athletic industry goes so much further than just being a coach and I'm so excited to hear stories of individuals who have been successful in this field."

Rogalski is a double major in psychology and sociology at Hope, and hopes that the forum will help her narrow down which areas in athletics she may pursue for a career. 

"I feel like this is a great opportunity to learn about different careers within athletics and to begin to decide which career path I want to pursue," Rogalski said. "I'm also excited to meet other student-athletes who have similar interests and goals."

The NCAA covers the costs of travel, lodging, meals and program materials for participants.