As Los Angeles prepares to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028, LA28 continues to invest in the next generation of leaders, creating meaningful connections between students and career opportunities across the sports and live events industry. 

Building Career Connections at California State University, Long Beach 

On the campus of California State University, Long Beach, LA28 hosted its latest LA28 Games Career Pathways,  bringing together 150 students for an afternoon of professional development, industry insights, and networking. 

The program featured a panel discussion moderated by LA28 Director of Athlete Engagement & Programming and Olympian Jason Richardson (2012 silver medalist, Team USA track and field), with panelists David McCallum, Head of Food & Beverage at LA28; Meredith McCarthy, Senior Manager of Sustainability Partnerships at LA28; Christopher Hicks, Senior, Social & Community Impact at Nike; and Gary Meador, Director of Olympic Games Operations at Sunbelt Rentals. 

“Career Pathways is about inspiring the next generation of professionals to join our industry,” said Erikk Aldridge, LA28 Vice President of Impact. “By connecting students with professionals, and creating  direct engagement and learning experiences, we are helping build a stronger, more inclusive pipeline of talent that benefits the people and communities of the greater Los Angeles region.” 

Turning Skills into Opportunity 

Following the panel, participants broke into smaller groups for hands-on workshops designed to build practical skills they can carry into their careers. 

Sessions on personal brand building focused on equipping students with tools to better position themselves in a competitive job market. In a parallel session, Olympians who work at LA28, including members of the  Athlete Fellowship program, led a workshop specifically for student-athletes on translating athletic experiences into careers in sports and live entertainment, demonstrating how discipline, teamwork, and leadership can support professional success.

From Campus to Career 

The afternoon concluded with a networking session, where students connected with peers,  panelists and CSU Long Beach alums now working at LA28, reinforcing a key message of the day that career journeys often begin with the relationships built along the way. 

As LA28’s Jason Richardson noted, students’ networks start here on campus, where connections made in classrooms and at events like Career Pathways help build a professional village that supports them long after graduation. 

A Lasting Legacy Beyond the Games 

LA28’s Career Pathways program reflects a broader commitment to expanding access to economic opportunities and preparing the next generation of the region’s workforce. By connecting students to industry leaders, skill-building, and real-world experiences, LA28 is helping create more inclusive pathways into the sports and live events industry. 

This work is part of LA28’s long-term vision to ensure the Games deliver lasting benefits beyond 2028, supporting career readiness, strengthening local talent pipelines, and helping more Angelenos access opportunities in a competitive and dynamic job market.