University of Minnesota Athletics
Beyond the Pitch with Allie Reinke
1/22/2016 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
What are you dream career aspirations/what you'll be working towards post-graduation?
My career aspirations involve working in the design field as a graphic designer. I am most interested in branding and packaging. I would love to find a career that allows me to stay in the sports industry while still being able to use my creative mindset! On the other hand, I would love to brand restaurants or products in the food industry! Or, if possible... both!
This spring I will be working on updating my online portfolio, perfecting my resume and beginning the job search. It is an exciting time, yet rather nerve-wracking!
How has being a University of Minnesota soccer player prepped you for that next step in life?
Being a University of Minnesota soccer player has whole-heartedly helped prepare me for my future. The biggest aspect is learning how to be a team player. In school, projects are mostly done on our own. The creativity and final output is mainly done individually aside from group critiques. In the career setting, brainstorming and different options for the client often come from a creative team. My team allowed me to learn to hear others out and trust in their capabilities. While I will no longer be physically sprinting around for my job, soccer has given me a strong work ethic while being able to keep others emotions in mind. Not to mention being able to bounce back from heartache, that is going to be important in the next step!
What are some of your favorite memories during your time at the U of M?
A lot of my memories surround the people and relationships I had through soccer. When we are all on the road constantly you can become very close to people you might not have been friends with otherwise. It is interesting to now reflect that throughout your collegiate career, you play with people +/- an eight year age gap. Each year you have new personalities and chemistry. It allows for some wonderful friendships to be made!
My favorite memory would have to be the entire trip to Barcelona, Spain my sophomore year. We did everything you can possibly imagine, as well as getting to experience playing international teams! It was such a fun trip that is too difficult to describe in only a short paragraph!
Some of my favorite wins we ever had was coming back in the second half after being down by 2 to beat Wisconsin, at ELR, 3-2 my freshman year. Also, beating Penn State at home my sophomore year was unreal. My final game at ELR was in the first round of the NCAA tourney and I got an assist. Nothing can really beat going out at home your senior year like that! There are some memories that will never be forgotten.
What is your advice to future U of M soccer players?
My advice to future U of M soccer players would be to be ready for anything. Going into college I had a plan. I was always a planner and assumed it was going to go exactly my way/the way I planned. I quickly learned that wasn't the case. The earlier you can accept change and be willing to do what is best for the team, that is when you will become an asset to such an awesome program.
