On March 28, William Smith student-athletes attended a Networking Panel organized by the Heron Society in conjunction with HWS Career Services. During this panel, athletes heard from several successful alumni, including current Heron Society President Madeline Buckley '15, lacrosse Hall of Fame member Kerry McCullough Brown '87, field hockey alumni Dr. Cindy Oyler Teerlinck '93, lacrosse alumni Michelle Steigerwald Raymond '04, soccer alumni Ashley Kent Rosati '07, and sailing alumni Maya Weber '20.

The opportunity to connect with William Smith alumni was both inspiring and empowering. Bringing together former Herons with current student-athletes created a space where experiences, advice, and lessons learned were shared across generations of women shaped by the same community. The Heron Career Networking event continued to strengthen these connections while preparing student-athletes for life beyond campus.

A central theme of the panel was the lasting impact of relationships. Oyler Teerlinck reflected on how the bonds formed at William Smith have continued to support and guide her throughout her career. Steigerwald Raymond encouraged student-athletes to take advantage of the alumni network and not hesitate to reach out. Their insights reinforced that being a Heron means joining a lifelong community that extends well beyond graduation.

The panel also emphasized the importance of recognizing and communicating the value of athletic experience. Skills such as work ethic, discipline, teamwork, and competitiveness are developed daily through sport but are not always easy to translate into professional settings. Kent Rosati encouraged students to "bet on yourself" and be open to what they don't know, while confidently explaining what they have learned in other experiences, while in a professional setting.

Buckley and Weber highlighted the importance of consistency and growth. "Do the work when the pressure is on or off, do the little things and seek discomfort." Buckley said.
Their message underscored how success is built through discipline and resilience, both on the field and in a career.

For many in attendance, the event offered both reassurance and motivation. Hadley Harbert, a sophomore on the field hockey team, emphasized the power of connection. "Bringing all these women together creates something so powerful, by sharing experiences and supporting one another, we turn individual journeys into a collective strength that opens doors for the future."

Maren Hunt, a junior on the volleyball team, added on by highlighting the impact of the support system at William Smith, "I'm so grateful for all the support offered here at HWS, I feel more confident about translating my experience into a future career."

One of the most memorable quotes from the whole event came from McCullough Brown, who reminded students, "You are all leaders. You are athletes. Don't be afraid to step up."