NILSU Brings META to Mix & Mingle

LSU Student-athletes and Baton Rouge community members packed the PMAC recently for the departments second annual “Build Your Board” event presented by NILSU, Tiger Life and the National L-Club.

“Build Your Board” is an event that provides student-athletes with an opportunity to practice their networking skills, engaging with business professionals in their industry of interest alongside other student-athletes who share the same goals.

This year, NILSU hosted Meta (parent company of Facebook and Instagram) for a week of branding education, focusing on the positive use of their platforms, safety across social media and how to successfully build your brand.  At the end of the week, Nick Marquez and Dev Sethi from Meta, served as the keynote speakers for the student-athletes and community members.

“This is your chance to put the social back into social media,” said Dev Sethi, Head of Sports at Instagram.  Sethi continued to emphasize the importance of building a network to not only utilize during their time at LSU, but beyond their collegiate sports careers.  “Your social media following is one that will stick with you even after you finish competing.  Take advantage of that.”

The use of social media and networking was the theme of the evening, and Meta noted that there is no other time than the present to utilize the resources the student-athletes have at LSU.

“Use the resources your department is giving you because they want to help.  Lean on the individuals not only at your table, but among the staff and in this community,” Nick Marquez, Director of Sports Partnerships at Meta said as he addressed the crowd.  “No two tigers have the same stipes.  Find what is unique to you and tell that story.  And lean on those who can help you tell it.”