Joseph O'Connor

As an aspiring Operations & Information Management and Sport Management double major at the Isenberg School of Management and a member of the Commonwealth Honors College, I tend to keep busy with school. Although I am currently seeking hands on experience in the world of business, I believe my work in the community as a leader will help make me a valuable employee.

From Norwood Youth Soccer to intramural basketball at UMass Amherst, sports have always been a major part of my life. I love the feeling of being a part of something bigger than myself, and thrive in team environments. These experiences recently led me to discover my passion of coaching and mentoring.

I first discovered this passion as a volunteer Norwood Basketball Association coach for middle schoolers. I truly enjoyed teaching the fundamentals of the game and watching my players progess each week. I suddenly found myself looking forward to waking up at 7 AM on Saturday mornings. Around the same time, I began tutoring a freshman, teaching him everything from algebra to organizational skills. I served as a mentor, showing my mentee how to succeed in high school and answering any questions he had. These days, I help my father coach a Norwood Little League baseball team, which has become a truly rewarding experience.

Whether it was my point guard developing a jump shot, my mentee getting an A on a test, or my pitcher learning a changeup, I felt like I was back on a team. Making a difference in these kids' lives felt like I was scoring a goal again, and I was on top of the world. I would love to apply these skills to a business, mentoring and coaching new employees, scoring a goal once again.