Kelly Rodriguez, Jacob Smith to Participate in SEC Career Tour

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky student-athletes Kelly Rodriguez of women’s swimming and diving and Jacob Smith of men’s track and field will represent the Wildcats at the Southeastern Conference Career Tour on Nov. 30-Dec. 2, joining 26 other current and former SEC athletes in Atlanta for the three-day event.

This marks the fifth year the league has invited student-athletes from each of its 14 institutions to participate in the career tour leading up to the SEC Football Championship. The goal of the program is to provide exposure for SEC student-athletes who are seeking career opportunities in various fields.

The SEC Career Tour allows student-athletes to connect with human resource recruiters and submit resumes for entry-level jobs and internships while gaining valuable knowledge of professional branding. The group is scheduled to visit the headquarters and meet with executives at several corporations and organizations in the Atlanta area, including Mercedes-Benz Stadium, The Home Depot, Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Braves, and Delta Airlines. 

The 28 participants will begin the three-day event at the site of the SEC Championship game where they will meet with Mercedes-Benz Stadium staff and take a tour of the facility. Also included on the agenda during the week is a visit with SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and a presentation by Randy Hain of Serviam Partners. The group will have the opportunity to learn insights into building effective business relationships and explore best practices for job seekers.

A senior from Madison, Wisconsin, Rodriguez has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA as a marketing major. She has been named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll three times in her career and earned the Bob Bradley Scholarship Award and the Booster Club Award at the team’s annual award banquet as a junior. In the pool, she placed 23rd in the mile at the 2021 SEC Championships en route to helping Kentucky clinch its first-ever team title.

Smith has earned First Team All-American honors for UK’s silver medal-winning and school record performance in the 4x400m relay at the 2021 NCAA Indoor Championships. He is also All-SEC First Team for his role in Kentucky’s silver medal in the same event at the 2021 SEC Indoor Championships. The Acworth, Georgia native is a broadcast journalism major with a 3.4 GPA, earning a spot on the 2021 CoSIDA Academic All-District Team. 

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