TaJuan Watson
GRADUATED!
University of North Carolina, Class of 2015
Bachelors of Science: Business Administration and Exercise and Sports Science
New Job: National Basketball Association (NBA), New York City

Seizing Opportunities is His Mantra

TaJuan Watson’s college experience has set the framework for a successful career but has also taught him some important life lessons. TaJuan graduated as part of the Class of 2015 from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill with dual majors in Business Administration and Exercise and Sports Science and will begin a new job with the NBA on September 1.

The path he says his biggest lesson was learning that life may not go his way but being persistent

TaJuan chose UNC because of it’s reputation as a Business college and but also, it’s sports programs. He intended to play football but ended up instead on the JV basketball team.

“I like to think that by the end of my freshman year I learned my biggest lesson. Although everything may not go my way, it is important to have a mindset to do the best I could every day and seize opportunities as they are presented. There were some up and downs in college, being away from home was tough at times but being persistent was necessary,” contemplated the newly graduated scholar.

TaJuan also learned the importance of networking and was influenced by his Annapolis Trust mentor, Reggie Broddie.

“I always watched how he built relationships and how he worked in the community and that influenced how I wanted to carry myself,” TaJuan said.

TaJuan understood the importance of networking which helped him land several important internships: one with the Charlotte Hornets and the other with Under Armour.

After his sophomore year, his internship with the Charlotte Hornets gave him important experience in rebranding (they were transitioning from the Bobcats to the Hornets) and community relations. His time before his senior year at Under Armour as an Innovation Intern was spent working on strategies for future products.

“I always knew I wanted to work in the sports industry. As I pursued each experience, I got closer to what was a better fit for me,” TaJuan reflects.

A contact at the Hornets, networked him to a job opportunity with the National Basketball Association and in September, he will start his new job in New York City working for them.  In his first year, he will transition through four departments getting hands on experiences in the different aspects of the organization.

In the meantime, he is spending the summer enjoying family and friends, supporting his shoe and product fetish working at a local sportswear store and looking forward to visiting NYC to explore his new home.

Congratulations, TaJuan! We are excited to see where your path goes next and know it will only be filled with great opportunities.