Colleen McCue: Kinesiology

Colleen graduated May 21, 2022, with a Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management. She has accepted the position of Fulfillment Coordinator with the Quad City Storm after spending a year interning with them! She is from Chicago.

Tell us about some of the professional opportunities that have presented themselves while you've attended SAU. How will you use those now or in the future?
St. Ambrose University helped me to connect with multiple sporting organizations where I was able to gain a variety of experiences and make connections. Constantly students are pushed to network in the community and to try working at places outside of our comfort zones. Because of that I was able to complete internships at various organizations including Visit Quad Cities, the St. Ambrose Football team, and the Quad City Storm, but also had the opportunities to meet a handful of people in the sport industry as guest speakers. These experiences have helped me to further my career in the sport industry based on the knowledge that I have gained. As I have been growing my career, I have been able to use the prior connections made throughout my time at Ambrose to complete work within the community but also create opportunities for my future growth.

What was a defining moment or very memorable experience you had as a student in the Department of Kinesiology?
When I reflect on my time at Ambrose, I frequently think of my first few Kinesiology classes and the people I met during that time. One of my first classes was facilities management where I did a presentation on the football stadium Lambeau Field, and after that I instantly knew that I was going to love being in sport management. I became very motivated about the topics we studied, and the teachers allowed us to focus on projects we were passionate about. In these classes I ended up being grouped together with some students for projects. These students ended up studying in the same classes with me for the next two years, becoming my friends, study partners, and eventually friendly competition in the field.

What drew you initially to our department? Has that motivation changed over the course of the years you've been at SAU?
I initially was drawn to the uniqueness of the program. This major allowed me to study business but in a way I thought would be fun. Over the course of the four years, Ambrose showed me how to pursue my passion as a career. The teachers and peers along the way encouraged me to pursue the things I loved and have added to the motivation. 

What advice might you give to a prospective student considering the Dept. of Kinesiology at SAU?
I would tell a prospective student to look at these courses if they would really like to enjoy what they are studying and if they are passionate about finding a career in sports. The Department of Kinesiology at SAU would be the place to look if you are trying to make your first leap into the sport industry whether it be through health or business. They will prepare you and help you make the connections to start your career.

What advice might you give to someone just starting the bulk of their required departmental coursework?
I would tell someone starting the bulk of their coursework to have fun with it. Branching out and working with people around you will help make the coursework seem fun while also motivating those around you to do better. Also don't be afraid to try new experiences; the professors are there to coach you through the steps and this is the best time to determine what you really like and don't like about the industry. Ambrose helps you to work in a variety a different places; take advantage of that and get the experience that employers will love in the future.

How did your affiliation with St. Ambrose help you in your job search or graduate school search?
Being affiliated with St. Ambrose helped me to make those initial connections that I eventually used in my job search. The past year I spent at Ambrose exposed me to new work positions that helped me to determine what I enjoyed doing and gave me a better idea on what I wanted to do after graduation.