Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram
Two graduate students in the University of West Alabama’s sport management program recently engaged in real-world projects through Riipen, the world’s largest experiential learning marketplace.
Dr. LaJuan Hutchinson, associate professor of sport management, and UWA Provost Tina Jones learned of Riipen’s opportunities for students seeking internships through a workforce development webinar sponsored by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE).
Hutchinson is the first UWA faculty member to explore Riipen’s marketplace platform, a user-friendly database of over 35,000 businesses and nonprofits. He noted that the work-integrated learning platform provided his students with experience and industry connections “they would have never had otherwise.”
As a client of Riipen, UWA has a landing page on the platform that includes a detailed profile or resume on the university. “The profile,” Hutchinson explained, “enables companies to shop around for potential interns, or we can find an employer we are interested in by using keywords and parameters to help narrow the search.”
Hutchinson, alongside graduate assistant Austen Cosby, explored Riipen’s marketplace platform and found a potential internship with an employer in Canada that needed Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) assistance for two major hockey players from Michigan and Minnesota. His next step was to ensure his students were committed to the project.
“As student-athletes, Nathalia Medieros and Kailey Hunt were familiar with NIL,” noted Hutchinson, “but they knew nothing about hockey and the players’ positions on their team, but both were interested and willing to learn.”
Medieros and Hunt faced a demanding task, Hutchinson acknowledged, yet it validated Riipen’s worth as an investment for the university. “Through Riipen’s marketplace, we identified an internship project that provided tangible benefits for both the employer and our students, allowing them to enhance their resumes, earn certifications, and integrate with LinkedIn.”
For Cosby, Riipen proved to be an excellent opportunity to gain experience in data analytics, an area of emphasis he’s concentrating on while earning his M.B.A. at UWA.
“Many online learners and athletes, like me, Medieros, and Hunt, don’t always have time to pursue a traditional internship,” Cosby noted. “This platform evened the playing field and gave each of us the practical experience we desired.”
His experience with Riipen also led to a new professional collaboration for the graduate assistant.
“Through this experience, Austen had the opportunity to work with Bliss Adkison, who directs the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning at UWA,” commented Hutchinson, “and now he is her graduate assistant. I was sorry to lose him, but I’m happy he’s in a place where he can gain more hands-on experience in data analytics.”
Graduate student Kailey Hunt was impressed with Riipen’s professionalism, dedication, and expertise in the sport management industry. She said her internship was highly effective due to Riipen’s proactive and supportive approach.
“Their dedication to the athletes and our project was clear,” said Hunt, “and they were always available to answer questions, provide insights, and share their extensive network of contacts. They went above and beyond to ensure we had all the resources and support needed to succeed.”
Hutchinson explained that while most UWA students will continue to arrange their internships or practicums, Riipen will play a crucial role in filling in the gaps. He added, “My responsibility, along with fellow faculty members utilizing the platform, will be to ensure that milestones are achieved and that the final project meets the employer’s specifications.” “Because of Dr. Hutchinson’s willingness to try the platform and the results of the student experience, we now have faculty across campus and multiple disciplines incorporating these experiences into their classes,” Jones said. “I am excited to see students in biology, accounting, business management, graphic design, communication, and more build their portfolios and gain confidence in the workplace.”