Are you looking for a new coaching position? If so make time during the convention to take advantage of the complimentary career services offered to AVCA Convention attendees:
- Meet one-on-one with career counselors to discuss tips for resume writing, salary negotiation, improving interview skills/mock interviews, identifying networking opportunities, building your personal brand, how to search for jobs, and more.
- Division I and Division II coaches are invited to meet with a legal expert to discuss contract language, negotiation strategy and other legal issues.
- Review 2023 Salary Survey results organized by division and by conference.
- Post open positions on your staff. Those who have an open position are encouraged to bring the job description to the convention or e-mail the description in advance to Becca Just at becca.just@avca.org.
- Search open positions and post your resume.
- Conduct an interview onsite in one the designated meeting rooms in the convention center.
Coaches seeking assistance with resume writing & resume critique, should schedule an appointment with Marissa Russo, AC Medal, or Christina Bevilacqua. Coaches seeking assistance on sports industry specific career topics or would like to do a mock interview should schedule an appointment with Jona Braden. Division I or Division II coaches seeking advice on contracts or legal issues should schedule an appointment with Garry Rosenfield. Please see the counselor biographical information below.
Career counseling times are as follows (all Career Center activities are located in the East-Central Hall of the Tampa Convention Center):
Thursday, Dec. 14
AC Medal
Counseling: 1 – 5 p.m.
Christina Bevilacqua
Counseling: 1 – 5 p.m.
Jona Braden
Counseling: 1 – 5 p.m.
Garry Rosenfield
Counseling: 2:30 – 4 p.m.
*Please note Garry Rosenfield’s counseling appointments are open to DI and DII coaches only
Friday, Dec. 15
Garry Rosenfield
Counseling: 12:30 – 3 p.m.
*Please note Garry Rosenfield’s counseling appointments are open to DI and DII coaches only
Marissa Russo
Counseling: 1 – 5 p.m.
Christina Bevilacqua
Counseling: 1 – 5 p.m.
Jona Braden
Counseling: 1 – 6 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 16
AC Medal
Counseling: 9 a.m. – Noon
Marissa Russo
Counseling: 9 a.m. – Noon
Jona Braden
Counseling: 9 a.m. – Noon
Jona Braden
Marissa Russo
Christina Bevilacqua
AC Medal
Career Counselors:
Jona Braden
Jona Braden is currently an Assistant Volleyball Coach and Physical Education Instructor at 2018 Division III national champion Emory University. Prior to her position at Emory, Braden served as the Head Volleyball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director at the Westminster Schools in Atlanta. Collegiately, she served as the Head Volleyball Coach at the University of Kentucky from 1998 – 2004 and at Butler University from 1983 – 1990. Jona has been an athletics administrator for seventeen years including three years as an Associate Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator and two years as a Senior Associate Athletics Director at Butler. Among her duties as an athletics administrator Jona was responsible for assessing and hiring head coaches along with mentoring and helping in the employment process of assistant coaches. In addition, Jona wrote one of the chapters in “The Volleyball Coaching Bible, Coaching Principles & Priorities: The Ups & Downs of a Season.”
Garry Rosenfield
Garry Rosenfield began working with Coaches Inc. in June 2012. Garry is a 2013 graduate of the Quinnipiac University School of Law, and also brings experience in sports communications. He attended law school immediately after his undergraduate work at the University of Connecticut was completed in 2010, and is from Upton, Massachusetts – a small town outside of Worcester. Garry plays a role in all legal work pertaining to client representation including contract advisement and negotiation.
Marissa Russo
Marissa Russo currently serves as the Assistant Director of Career Readiness in the Office of Career Services at the University of Tampa. She has 7 years of experience working in higher education in several functional areas including Career Services, Orientation and Family Engagement, and Academic Advising. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Education in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina. Recently, she obtained her Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Certification to use as a tool during career exploration with clients. Marissa is a higher education professional from the Tampa Bay area, who has a passion for assisting anyone from college students to career professionals develop success holistically.
AC Medal
Ana-Cristina (AC) is a Higher Education & Student Affairs Professional focused in student development and concentrated in creating student enhancement programs centered around advocating for diverse student populations. She currently serves as the Career Coach for Internship Programs at the Office of Career Services at the University of Tampa. Recently, AC also served as a Career Consultant for Northeastern Illinois University remotely, where she connected with the multifaceted and diverse student and alum population of the greater Chicago area.
Her experience includes working at the University of Vermont as a Career Development Counselor/Pre-Law Advisor with a concentration in Education and the Social Services. Additionally, she served as a Co-Advisor for Alianza Latinx at UVM, as well as Membership Development Advisor for Phi Mu Delta. During the summer term, AC stayed busy by teaching Intro to College at the Community College of Vermont, where she focused on identity, leadership, and professional development for all students transitioning into higher education. AC has previous experience working in Enrollment Services through Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid Departments as well as an internship in the Office of Scholarship and Fellowships.
Christina Bevilacqua
Christina Bevilacqua is a National Certified Counselor with experience in higher education functional areas including Career Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, and Inclusion & Campus Involvement. Christina earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Rollins College and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Central Florida. Currently serving as a Career Readiness Coach at the University of Tampa Office of Career Services, Christina is committed to guiding students in their pursuit of career management. Outside of work, Christina actively engages with community organizations and is an active member of the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leaders program. Additionally, she recently earned certification as a practitioner for the Myers Briggs Type Indicator personality assessment and uses this tool with students to enhance the career exploration process. With her passion for helping others and professional background, Christina is dedicated to making a positive impact on a student’s career development and overall success.
