From the Field to the Future: Zia Tomlin’s Career Discovery Week Experience

Zia Tomlin, an Emory student-athlete had the remarkable opportunity to be a part of the Career Discovery Week (CDW) 2026 in Washington D.C. CDW is a recruiting trip in partnership with Scholar-AthELITE, that brings the best and brightest minds from around the world, across multiple academic disciplines, to Fortune 500 companies who desire to pursue them for career opportunities. Tomlin expresses, "Scholar-AthELITE gives student-athletes opportunities to grow outside of their sport and start thinking seriously about their future careers. Experiences like Career Discovery Week help athletes build confidence, make meaningful connections, and see what is possible beyond college athletics."

Zia is a standout junior, majoring in computer science and was a key contributor to the Emory women's soccer team that finished as the NCAA Division III National Runner-Up in 2025. She previously worked as an Amazon Software Development Intern and was recognized as the recipient of the Amazon Future Engineer Scholar reflecting her academic excellence and potential in computer science and technology.

This year, students engaged with two global tech companies: Cisco and World Wide Tech Company. Students toured the companies, networked with executive leaders, and competed in individual and team challenges showcasing leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills—demonstrating the preparation and professionalism that was cultivated at Emory.

Leading up to this recruiting experience, students participated in structured preparation to perform at the highest level. Tomlin took part in weekly Sunday "practice" sessions and focused on company research preparation and strategic training, while also diving into professional acumen development, resume refinement, and LinkedIn networking techniques. The hard work and effort paid off. Eric Vazzana, Director of Sales at Cisco shared, "It was clear the students had been well prepared and delivered very compelling, on-point presentations."

This translated into the competition by delivering an executive value proposition pitch, product-to-personal problem innovation, and a real-world use case challenge. The value Tomlin and her peers have demonstrated, how they would experience and improve or solve a problem, and how they could apply and present solutions was showcased through the dedication and commitment to academic excellence that is carried over into athletics, ultimately cultivating high-impact leaders with exceptional intangible qualities.

Rashard Hall, CEO and Founder of Scholar-AthELITE shared, "Zia Tomlin earned elite captain status, selected as one of the top four leaders out of 40 students for her exceptional leadership, commitment to excellence, and ability to connect across diverse groups and backgrounds. Her intangibles refined through sports, coupled with her technical skills, make her a top candidate for any company. She is the epitome of a scholar-athlete."

Students walked away with meaningful exposure to industry leaders, expanded career opportunities, and experience tackling real-world business challenges. This was an incredible opportunity for Tomlin and fellow students, but also for Emory University to be represented at the highest level, reflecting the continued standard of excellence it fosters. Tomlin enthusiastically recommended the impactful opportunity to other students and said, "The trip helps you grow in confidence and think bigger about your goals." Hall further emphasized, "It's no coincidence that an elite university like Emory is producing scholar-athletes like Zia Tomlin. For students looking to maximize their athletic talents while excelling in the classroom—and ultimately becoming industry leaders in business—Emory is the kind of place where they can truly thrive, prepared to compete at the highest level—on the field and in the boardroom."