Mason Athletics and the Mason Alumni Association partnered to sponsor the webinar 'Charting Career Success for Alumni Student-Athletes' held Tuesday evening on Zoom. 
 
Women's basketball alum Whitney Ward '08 led the panel discussion with the former student-athletics Jonathan Borrajo '09 (soccer), Ali Feldman-Khirzman '08 (soccer), Jim Martin '07 (wrestling), and Will Thomas '08 (basketball).
 
The group shared stories on favorite Mason memories, navigating the pandemic, and how being a student-athlete impacted their lives and careers.
 
All five panelists listed the 2006 Final Four run as a significant memory, but all of them also mentioned the friendships they created, especially with their teammates, at Mason as special.
 
"All the student-athletes were close at Mason, said women's soccer alum Feldman-Khirzman. "We went to the basketball game against UConn in Washington, D.C. together as a team.  A lot of great moments." 
 
Both Thomas and Barrajo played professionally overseas. Thomas led Mason to two NCAA Tournaments, including the 2006 Final four. He is playing in St. Petersburg, Russia this season, his 13^th season as a professional. Borrajo's professional career spanned nine seasons in Europe and the United States. His post-playing career is in wealth management, as well as a co-founder of Soccer Shape.
 
Thomas was asked about characteristics he looked for in an agent and his advice to student-athletes that can potentially play professionally.
 
"For me, it wasn't about bad or good characteristics, but more about the relationship with the agent," said Thomas. "It's important to build a relationship and trust to where you have the same mind on what you want."
 
Thomas added, "You have to build your career up as an American, starting at the very bottom and working your way up. Some players just don't understand that and it hurts their relationship with the agent because they may want something they are not ready for in the level of play."
 
John's transitioned to playing professionally than a post-playing career and attributes a lot of his success to his time as a student-athlete at Mason. "The positive discipline that student-athletes have to play Division 1 sports and the hard work we put in is the table stakes for really pretty much anything," said Borrajo. "It's the bare minimum." 
 
Jim Martin leaned on coaches, mentors, and teammates during his career that included working as an actor in New York, as an assistant writer on Saturday Night Live to owning a gym that shut down because of the pandemic.  
 
"I think one of the key things is finding some coaches and mentors to support you in your journey, but then also not being afraid to take risks and understanding this whole entire process is going to be another journey," said Martin. "The reality is that the work ethic never stops."
 
The one-hour event finished with some words of wisdom from the successful Mason alums. Feldman-Khirzman, mother and president of Pivotal Play Soccer, mentioned building a strong community and connecting with people are keys as you embark on a career path. 
 
"It's like figuring out what makes you, you," said Feldman-Khirzman. "What inspires you and making sure that you hold true to your values and that it's for a good purpose. When you want to do good for others and build a sense of community, I think that helps you be more relatable which in turn makes you more marketable."
 
Mason Alumni and Mason Athletics plan to partner again for future panel discussions.