Traveling the world with your personal brand

What if your whole personal brand as a university student was being an athlete and a student at the same time? And, what if that brand got to represent your country and your university all around the world? It must be an extremely challenging role to play, but the University of Sydney students representing Australia at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, make it look effortless.

Seen above is student-athlete Matthew Mitcham as he competes in the Men’s 10 meter platform diving event in his third games. While he is studying Arts and Sciences at USYD, he has built the personal brand of a professional athlete and role model. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Matthew at a closed practice in July 2014, as he was preparing for the competition. He was so unbelievably focused, yet polite and friendly – as it is an extreme talent to calmly greet curious bystanders all while striving to reach his goals. He later won gold in the Men’s 10 meter synchronised diving event with partner Domonic Bedggood.

Another student-athlete, Anneliese Rubie, who studies Arts at USYD, has previously spoken to USYD representatives about effectively balancing her university work with her focus and demanding preparation schedule for competitions. The level of mental toughness this portrays in her personal brand is immense, and is a quality many employers look for.

All in all, student-athletes are marketing and personal branding geniuses. By combining elite athleticism with prestigious academics, they display perseverance, drive, self-discipline, time management skills, adaptability, and flexibility, not to mention well-roundedness with all the traveling they do. Congratulations to my peers for all your hard work.

Christine Drpich
Current student in the Master of Marketing program at the University of Sydney Business School