This is part of a series highlighting recent ACE participants who are finding meaningful ways to connect and build on their ACE experience beyond their three-week ACE summer program. After student-athlete participants complete their ACE summer, they are encouraged to think about a specific goal that connects their ACE experience to their lives in a meaningful way. ACE staff support this process through the development of a personal ACE Action Plan and 1-1 coaching, group meetings, and check-ins throughout the year. Learn more about the ACE Plan Process and explore additional ways ACE student-athletes are supported post-experience here.
After returning to campus, Michael Bennett, a junior on the Duke Men’s Track & Field Team and ACE in Costa Rica 2023 alum, envisioned an Action Plan centered on advancing his professional skills, learning more about himself, and exploring options of what he may want to do in the future post-college. Michael shared that before his experience in Costa Rica, “I was lost when it came to career opportunities or even my career passions, and ACE helped me get out there and explore my interests.”
While his Action Plan didn’t stem from something he directly learned in Costa Rica, being around other passionate student-athletes in ACE inspired him to discover more passions of his own. He started paying more attention to things in school and other parts of his life that fascinated him. “Because of [ACE], I have reached out to a lot more career initiatives and used more of Duke’s resources to explore my interests than I did before [participating in ACE].”
“My ACE Action Plan helped me to reach out and explore opportunities like this one, and I am extremely grateful to have had an experience like the Career Trek. If I had not tried to put myself out there by applying for more positions like this, I would have missed out on a truly special opportunity.” – Michael Bennett, ACE in Costa Rica 2023, Duke Men’s Track & Field
One of the career initiatives Michael chose to participate in was the “Duke Career Trek,” a newly launched Duke Student-Athlete Development initiative where students are selected to travel to New York City to tour companies, explore potential career opportunities, and network with Duke alumni. During the three-day Duke Career Trek, Michael and eight other Duke student-athletes toured six different companies including Nike, NBC, Royal Bank of Canada, Fanatics, PwC, and KPS Capital Partners.
Reflecting on his experience with the Duke Career Trek, Michael shared, “It was an extremely valuable experience. The companies we visited gave us insight into the business of sports, investment banking, consulting, and private equity. Before the trip, I didn’t know much about these fields, but I now have a more comprehensive understanding. I learned that personally, investment banking may not be for me, but there are many things about working alongside these kinds of businesses that I will enjoy. I found that learning about how these large companies operate gave me more insight into the professional world, which is exactly what I wanted.”
Michael acknowledges the difficulty of balancing his time commitments with his Action Plan. Taking on increased responsibilities within various groups has led to a tighter schedule and less available time. However, despite these challenges, Michael highlights that he has made significant strides in improving his time management skills. He finds satisfaction in actively participating in his community and appreciates the personal growth that comes with it.
In summary, Michael shares, “My ACE Action Plan helped me to reach out and explore opportunities like this one, and I am extremely grateful to have had an experience like the Duke Career Trek. If I had not tried to put myself out there by applying for more positions like this, I would have missed out on a truly special opportunity.”