Exploring Career Pathways in Coaching and Professional Volleyball

Authors

• Jack DeMaria, St. John Fisher University

Document Type

Poster Presentation

Publication Date

4-17-2026

Keywords

fsc2026

Abstract

As a senior at St. John Fisher University majoring in Adolescent Education with a concentration in History, my Keystone Experience focused on determining my next steps after graduation. Throughout this semester, I explored two possible career paths: playing professional volleyball and pursuing a career in coaching.

At the beginning of the semester, I was interested in continuing my volleyball career at the professional level. I spent time researching opportunities to play overseas and learning about the process of working with an agent. As I continued my exploration, I also began connecting with college coaches to learn more about coaching careers and graduate assistant positions. These conversations helped me better understand the responsibilities of coaching, the expectations of graduate assistant roles, and the skills needed to be successful in the profession.

Over the course of the semester, I completed approximately 45 hours of career exploration activities. These included researching professional volleyball opportunities, communicating with coaches, preparing application materials, and participating in interviews. Through this process, I gained valuable experience in networking, professional communication, and decision-making.

As a result of this experience, I accepted a graduate assistant coaching position at Elmira College, where I will serve as an assistant men’s volleyball coach while pursuing my graduate degree in education. This opportunity allows me to continue developing as a leader and educator while staying connected to the sport that has been an important part of my life.

This experience helped me realize that career paths can evolve over time and that exploring multiple options is an important part of professional growth. It also reinforced the importance of building relationships, asking questions, and taking initiative when planning for the future.

Comments

Poster presented at the 2026 Fisher Showcase, St. John Fisher University, April 17, 2026.

Publication Information

DeMaria, Jack, "Exploring Career Pathways in Coaching and Professional Volleyball" (2026). Fisher Showcase 2026. Paper 217.
https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/fsc2026/217

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