On this episode of the HigherEdJobs Podcast, co-hosts Andy Hibel and Kelly Cherwin welcomed Alan Kellogg, associate athletic director for internal operations and administration at the University of Louisville. A retired U.S. Army colonel and former Division I football player, Kellogg shared his journey from the military to higher education -- and the lessons that both veterans and job seekers can carry into careers in athletics.

Kellogg described entering Louisville Athletics through the Department of Defense's Career Skills Program, which allows veterans to complete internships as they transition to civilian life. "In June of 2022, I came in for what was to be about a 90-day internship," he said. After about 70 days, the athletic department asked him to write a job description for a new chief of staff position -- a role he competed for and earned. By 2023, he had advanced into his current post, where he oversees HR related to the athletic department, strategic planning, and community engagement while also serving as the sport administrator for men's basketball. "Each day is kind of unique and different," he said.

For job seekers -- especially veterans -- the episode highlighted entry points into athletics such as compliance, business operations, facilities, fundraising, and marketing. Many positions, Kellogg noted, do not require prior athletic experience. "It's not uncommon for us to bring in individuals...with absolutely no athletic experience but because they had that background in business in accounting, they were hired." Graduate assistantships and internships, he added, also open doors.

Kellogg spoke candidly about what sets strong candidates apart: "Probably the key for me is in a lot of cases, people don't do their homework on the organization. A simple review of our website would tell you a little bit about where we're at, where we're going." He also underscored the importance of following up after interviews: "The vast majority do not write a simple email or a letter or a text message to say, hey, thanks for the time...the little stuff matters."

Athletics, he explained, is distinct from other parts of higher education because of the urgency and constant change driven by NCAA rules, media attention, and competitive timelines. "In athletics, you have to have incredible sense of urgency with all your actions," he said. He added that his military background prepared him well for this pace: "There was a lot of comparisons because my time in the military, we had to make very timely decisions and there was a sense of urgency in everything that we did."

What motivates him most is the opportunity to serve student-athletes. "They inspire me each and every day...they want to be the best in their business, they want to make a difference, and they are committed to their team, they're committed to this university, they're committed to our community. That's what gets me up each and every day -- how can I help them, how can I make a difference in their life, and how can we set them up for future success in life."

For veterans considering their next chapter, Kellogg's story shows how military experience can translate into higher education and athletics. The leadership, urgency, and attention to detail developed in service can open doors to work that continues the mission of helping others succeed.

As a reminder, the full transcript of every HigherEdJobs Podcast can be found by clicking on 'transcript' next to the episode's show notes