Spears Group’s Post

This past Friday, I had the pleasure of returning to the grounds of my Alma mater, Butler University for ‘a thing.’ (stay tuned for more details). Being on campus always fills me with immense pride; the education I received there was truly exceptional. Thank you Dr. Rose Campbell and Dr. Kwadwo Anokwa for your support during my tenure as a student. I took advantage of Dow Chemical’s tuition assistance program and they funded my bachelor ‘s degree from Butler. Despite the challenges of juggling full-time work and studies, I look back on my experience with fondness and gratitude. I’m very proud of Butler’s latest endeavor, the launch of the Butler University Founder's College —a two-year institution aimed at providing access to education to the underserved Indianapolis community. There's something undeniably special about the Butler experience, and I'm eager for others to share in it. In an era where college enrollment is dwindling, it's essential for those of us fortunate enough to have received a college education to share our stories. My time at college was transformative, shaping me into the person I am today. It instilled in me invaluable critical thinking skills, introduced me to literature and art, and broadened my perspective on the world. Every individual deserves the opportunity to access such a quality education. While I acknowledge that the college environment isn't the best fit for everyone, with some individuals thriving more through hands-on experiences and honing specific skills, I still advocate for giving college a sincere try, regardless of age—from 18 to 58. It broadens your perspective on the world and opens up countless opportunities. There's a prevalent argument that a college degree isn't necessary for success in fields like technology. However, it's not just about mastering code or understanding theories; it's also about the method of learning and the knowledge gained through interaction with others different from you. And the doors that will open. I graduated cum laude from Butler University, with high honors in Journalism. I earned my juris doctor from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. I am a first-generation college graduate. Oh yeah, GO DAWGS! #iamfirstgeneration #collegeeducationmatters #butleruniversity #godawgs

Now is the time to pursue that next degree to help you move up in the sports world! Should I get a Masters or Doctorate degree? A question that many people ask and few that people answer. Depending on your answer, your career and life path may be changed forever. Many people who want to work in sports in some capacity are unsure what kind of degree they may need. The Master’s and MBA degrees are the next step for anyone who has completed a Bachelor degree and is looking to work in sports administration, coaching, operations, director of marketing, many agent positions and more. Earning a Masters or MBA can increase your earning potential, make yourself more marketable, and help you land a promotion at your current or future job.  A Doctorate degree is one of the best ways to showcase yourself as a true expert in a specific field and stand out among the rest of the crowd. Careers in sports for Doctorate degrees include facility management, sports law, marketing, executive positions with an organization and education. As of 2018, just 4.5% of the US population has a Doctorate degree and you could be the next one. What’s the difference between a Ph.D and EdD? Great question! The Ph.D is a research based degree that has an additional capstone requirement that the EdD degree does not have. The biggest difference between the two programs is the time it takes to complete them, the Ph.D. tends to be a longer program than the EdD. Sports Management Worldwide (SMWW) has a long-standing partnership with Concordia University of Chicago (CUC) to help provide graduate degree programs that put students on the path to their dream job in sports. The Masters in Sports Leadership is 30 credit hours and the MBA program is 36 credit hours. The Ph.D is 67 credit hours and the EdD is 61 credit hours. Both degrees can take as little as 4 years to complete. Alumni from the CUC Masters in Sports Leadership and the MBA programs include Dei Lynam, G-League Broadcaster and longtime NBA Broadcast veteran, Fernando Noriega, LA Rams Strength and Conditioning coach, John Ross, NBA Video Coordinator, Shane Brady, NFL & NBA Agent, and Kreigh Warkentein, UNLV Assistant Director of Athletics. The CUC program offers a Ph.D and EdD program for a Doctorate in Sports Leadership. A few notable names that have completed our program are Dr. Nick Nurse, Philadelphia 76ers head coach, Dr. Stephanie Lovingood, Director of Activation for the Phoenix Suns and Mercury, and Dr. Adrian Griffin, Milwaukee Bucks’ Head Coach. You can apply for FREE here: https://lnkd.in/gexfzqRD and start your journey to the career of your dreams!

Hey LinkedIn, long time no see! 👋 Today marks a big milestone - my last day as a junior at the University of San Francisco! While there's one year left to graduation, the past three have been a whirlwind of learning and personal growth. One pivotal decision was switching my major from marketing to advertising during the end of my freshman year While both fields are similar, the shift meant some of my business credits wouldn't transfer directly to the Advertising major. It was challenging, but ultimately the best choice I've made at USF. Sure, there were initial moments of self-doubt (classic imposter syndrome!), especially comparing myself to my incredibly talented peers. However, countless projects, assignments, and teamwork revealed a valuable lesson: every idea is a GOOD IDEA. Collaboration fostered a safe space to share thoughts and opinions, and the diverse roles within advertising helped me discover my niche. Over time, my love for advertising blossomed. A major reason? The incredible people I've met. I've formed strong bonds with classmates, both in and out of the classroom. A huge shoutout to my supportive professors for pushing me to grow and always believing in my potential. I feel genuinely fortunate to be part of such a fantastic and talented department. Here's to the future of advertising! #USF #advertising #personalgrowth #collaboration

I’m officially a #UFgrad! 🐊💙🧡 Three and a half years ago, I started the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Master of Arts program in mass communication with a specialization in PR. I have appreciated the chance to use new concepts and skills in real time as a working professional throughout the duration of the program. A few top takeaways: - The ability to write is the ability to influence. Writing aptitude matters in every job function. - The importance of understanding your business/industry cannot be overstated. - PR should always be about building mutually beneficial relationships… give as much (or better yet, more) than you take. - If you can’t measure it in the context of business results, you probably shouldn’t do it. I’m proud to be part of Gator Nation, even though I’ll always be a University of Nebraska-Lincoln #Husker 🌽 first!

Empty or Me? While we’re celebrating current, recent, and upcoming graduation days, for my students and all graduates everywhere, I’m reminded of a funny story. This goes back a bunch of years, shortly before I added the role of Chair of Undergraduate Business Programs to my responsibilities. (Currently, I’m Director of Graduate Programs along with the usual Professor of Marketing activities). The business school was to have a representative on the stage for the big ceremony, as did all of our colleges. Typically, this would be the Dean of the business school, but he had just ascended to the presidency of another university. So that wasn’t going to work. His second in command, the Assistant Dean, was administrator and not an academic. So he was not the answer. Next on the list was the current Chair of Undergraduate Business Programs but she was out of town. The next possibility considered was to simply have an empty chair. I don’t know if anyone considered NOT having an empty chair, but instead, of having one less chair. That way none would be empty. Hey, I wasn’t in this meeting. Then somebody who was at the meeting thought of me, the soon-to-be new Chair of Undergraduate Business Programs. And thus began my long and storied career of sometimes sitting on the stage at some graduation ceremonies. PLUSES! The ability to look out on the sea of graduating students and their families. It is a wonderful, humbling experience. And the extra leg room. MINUSES! Since the sound is aimed away from the stage, it’s sometimes hard for me to understand what’s being said. And even though I’m far from the center of attention, I’m still kind of in everybody’s view. Any nose-picking or bodily adjustments must be discreet. And the knowledge that I was once the fifth choice, right after the empty chair. What do you think? See you next time (if I’m invited)! #graduationday #emptychair

I'm proud to be part of the team building the new #CollegeAthletics Practice at @Deloitte and excited to share Consulting CEO @Dan Helfrich's post below, where he discusses valuable insights into how the college sports landscape is evolving and how Deloitte will drive transformative change. If you're curious about what's next for college athletics and want to understand the strategic moves that will shape its future, check out the full webinar below!

I'm proud to be part of the team building the new #CollegeAthletics Practice at Deloitte and excited to share Consulting CEO Dan Helfrich's post below, where he discusses valuable insights into how the college sports landscape is evolving and how Deloitte will drive transformative change. If you're curious about what's next for college athletics and want to understand the strategic moves that will shape its future, check out the full webinar below!   #FutureOfCollegeSports #IndustryInnovation   

I am proud to be part of the team building the #CollegeAthletics Practice at Deloitte and excited to share Consulting CEO Dan Helfrich's post below, where he discusses valuable insights into the evolving college sports landscape and how Deloitte will drive transformative change. If you're curious about what's next for college athletics and want to understand the strategic moves that will shape its future, check out the full webinar below! #FutureOfCollegeSports #IndustryInnovation

I'm proud to be part of the team building the new #CollegeAthletics Practice at Deloitte and excited to share Consulting CEO Dan Helfrich's post below, where he discusses valuable insights into how the college sports landscape is evolving and how Deloitte will drive transformative change. If you're curious about what's next for college athletics and want to understand the strategic moves that will shape its future, check out the full webinar below!   #FutureOfCollegeSports #IndustryInnovation

I'm proud to be part of the team building the new #CollegeAthletics Practice at Deloitte and excited to share Consulting CEO Dan Helfrich's post where he discusses valuable insights into the evolving college sports landscape and how Deloitte will drive transformative change. If you're curious about what's next for college athletics and want to understand the strategic moves that will shape its future, check out the webinar below!   #FutureOfCollegeSports #IndustryInnovation