Episode 020

From Coaching to Careers

with guest Courtney Trimble

Courtney Trimble, a former college golf coach, shares her journey of starting a recruitment service for women in the golf industry. She saw a need to help college golfers transition into careers in the golf space and connect them with organizations looking to hire. She helps candidates find employment and provides career development opportunities.

Courtney emphasizes the unique skills that college golfers bring to organizations and aims to build their confidence and help them map out their career paths. She also highlights the importance of the relationship between golf course superintendents and players, as well as the hard work that goes into maintaining golf courses.

From College Golf Coach to Recruitment Leader

Courtney Trimble’s career trajectory is nothing short of inspiring. Starting as a college golf coach, Courtney developed a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by athletes as they transition into their professional lives. This experience laid the foundation for her recruitment business, where she focuses on helping former college athletes find the right career paths.

Initially, her business primarily focused on matching candidates with employers, often leveraging the unique qualities and discipline of former athletes. However, Courtney’s vision for her business has expanded significantly, leading to the integration of new services and programs aimed at enhancing career development.

Evolving the Business: Career Development and Education

One of the most exciting aspects of our discussion was Courtney’s announcement that her business is transitioning to include more comprehensive career development and education services for candidates. She recognizes that simply matching candidates with job opportunities is no longer enough in today’s competitive market. Candidates need guidance and resources to help them understand their fit for different roles and industries.

Courtney is particularly focused on providing a roadmap for candidates, enabling them to assess their strengths, align them with career opportunities, and ultimately find positions that are not only a good fit but also fulfilling. This approach reflects a growing trend in recruitment, where career development is becoming an integral part of the process, offering candidates long-term support and a clearer path to success.

Expanding Services: Virtual Career Fairs and Building a Team

To support her expanded focus, Courtney has introduced virtual career fairs, providing candidates with more accessible platforms to connect with potential employers. This shift has allowed her to reach a broader audience and offer more dynamic opportunities for both candidates and employers.

Additionally, Courtney is in the process of building a team to further formalize and scale her career development programs. This move will not only enhance the services she offers but also ensure that candidates receive personalized support and resources tailored to their individual needs.

Soundbytes:

“For us, it’s about giving people the confidence to recognize their strengths. We help them understand their interests, their background, and their degree—what they bring to the table—and remind them that organizations will teach them the specific skills they need. You don’t have to have all the answers; you need the intangibles. That’s what employers are looking for. They’ll train you on the product or the organizational structure, but it’s crucial to know where you fit and where to start.”

“I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the turfgrass side of the golf business. I’m a huge fan not only of the people but also of the organizations involved. I’ve formed some great partnerships with those in agronomy and turfgrass, and I’ve discovered some amazing opportunities in that space. It’s been fascinating to learn about this aspect of the industry.”

Quotes:

• “We started with virtual career fairs and morphed into a full-blown recruitment service.”
• “Helping college golfers get down the path and figure out their intangible skills.”
• “Virtual career fair is like speed dating, bouncing around to different booths”
• “I think when I was playing myself, I thought to myself, oh my gosh, who’s going to hire me? I don’t have any experience other than golf and I was in my early 20s when I said that and I was having a conversation with my older brother. He’s like, plenty of people are going to hire you. And this is why, you’re an athlete, this, you’re playing golf, this, you’re motivated, all these things.”
• “I think it’s really important for superintendents and for the other side, the pros and the coaches and the people that are involved with the course conditions. It’s like it’s a working relationship for everybody. when you have that working relationship with your superintendent, everybody wins.”

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Tyler Bloom Consulting: https://tylerbloomconsulting.com/

Fore Hire: https://www.forehireus.com/

Connect with Courtney on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-cipriano-434686a7/