The Ask. Ponder. Educate. [X]. event on March 7 featured Meghan Chayka, Co-founder/CEO of the international company Stathletes, which specializes in hockey data and analytics. Her presentation was titled “Sports Analytics: Scaling a Data Company.”
Chayka began her presentation by speaking to students in the audience who may be hesitant of their future. She explained that she had similar feelings early in her career, recalling, “I had no idea where I would be right now.”
Chayka loves numbers and statistics. She discovered that with data a person can understand how to build tools to improve a specific field. “There is power in understanding how people and companies perform,” she said.
Being a woman in the male-dominated fields of sports and technology, Chayka has been through a lot. However, she has learned over the years that competency is the most important factor.
“It doesn’t matter your gender; it matters your aptitude,” said Chayka. “You have to ask for what you want.”
Chayka said that one of the most important keys to having a successful career is to have a clear vision for the future.
“Come up with who you are and what your brand is,” said Chayka. “Build towards what you want to accomplish. Align with other people that will help you, and you’ll reach your goals.”
During the Q&A portion of the event, an audience member asked for tips on dealing with rejection. “You have to get comfortable with the setbacks,” Chayka replied. “Everything in life is selling. You have to sell yourself.”
At the end of the presentation, Chayka encouraged the audience to learn more about hockey. She said, “Pick a team, learn the players, have fun. Sports are supposed to be fun.”
The next A.P.E.X. event will take place on March 12. The guest speaker will be Zonnie Gorman with a presentation called “Navajo Code Talkers.” For information on the A.P.E.X. speaker series, visit its website.
Author: Christina Schweiss
Photos: Courtesy of SUU
Editor: Nick Stein
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