KICVentures Gathers Successful Columbia Soccer Alumni to Give Back to Student Athletes
Boston, MA (PRWEB) February 05, 2016 -- KICVentures (http://www.kicventures.com) announced today that it hosted its inaugural Columbia University Men’s Soccer Career Development event in New York City on Thursday, January 21, 2016. Kingsley R. Chin, the CEO of KICVentures, and Rocco Commisso, Chairman and CEO of Mediacom, (both alumnus of the varsity Columbia soccer program) spoke at the event, offering professional insight based on their successful career journeys.
Twenty-eight student athletes and several alumni from the Columbia men’s soccer team attended the event which was held in conjunction with the soccer team’s Career Mentorship Committee. After speeches and dinner, the athletes participated in industry-specific breakout sessions headed by alumni who are influential leaders in their respective professions. The event allowed the students to ask questions, gain professional insights and network for future job opportunities.
Dr. Kingsley R. Chin spoke to the young men about his journey as a successful, serial entrepreneur and his commitment to helping young student athletes interested in business. During his talk he said, “If everyone invested in entrepreneurs, there would be no more problems in the world.” Dr. Chin is a firm believer in philanthropy that equips entrepreneurs, and was excited by the enthusiasm that he sensed from the students and their interest in additional mentorship opportunities.
Media titan Rocco Commisso, Founder of Mediacom Communications Corporation, also spoke at the event. Mr. Commisso was co-captain of Columbia’s varsity soccer team, graduating from Columbia with a degree in Industrial Engineering and an MBA. A long-time supporter of the Columbia soccer program, Mr. Commisso talked to the athletes about the myriad of opportunities and resources available to them as they start out their professional careers.
“The point of this program is to connect the players with alumni that are willing to help,” said Frank Schnur, Chief Sales Officer of KICVentures, and an alumnus of Columbia men’s soccer. Mr. Schnur said that as the son of a professor and high school teacher who had both immigrated to the United States, he had no clue how to get into his desired field of investment banking and wished he had some early guidance from career mentors. “I've had many proud moments at Columbia, including Ivy League championships, NCAA tournament berths, and graduating with two degrees, but being a part of this inaugural career night is my proudest moment and may be the greatest contribution I can ever make to the university that has given me so much. Helping to build a community to support the Columbia men’s soccer program and other alumni is a dream come true,” Schnur said.
Dr. Chin believes the night was an enormous success and plans to host more professional development events in conjunction with Columbia soccer in the future.
About KICVentures
KICVentures (http://www.KICVentures.com) manages several portfolio companies, investing in disruptive technology in the health-tech sector. KICVentures acquires, creates, and nurtures companies and their technologies to their fullest potential.
Caitlin Lubinski, KICVentures, http://www.kicventures.com, +1 3039278746, [email protected]
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