Discover Your Childhood Dream has Come True

I didn't just see the players make a tackle, I could feel it. And the energy on the field was as powerful as the roar of the crowd. That's what it was like, being on the sidelines of my first NFL football game. Moments like these don't come along too often in most jobs, and that's what makes mine all the more exciting.

It started when I got an internship with the New Orleans Saints after I graduated from Guilford, and it grew from there. Now I'm one of their college scouts and my job takes me all over the country looking for new talent. As a kid, I always wanted to be involved in pro football, and here I am, right in the thick of it.

Actually, I grew up in New Orleans, in an urban area where everyone was a lot like me. When I went to Guilford, everything — the atmosphere, the people from all over, the social scene — was different from what I was used to. So I experienced a little culture shock, but at this point, I consider that a good thing.

Students are our #1 asset: At Guilford, the student to faculty ratio is approximately 15:1 in most classes. Instructors' office doors are always open, which leads to plenty of one-on-one interaction with faculty. Everyone is considered equal here and there are no formal titles. So students like Barrett Wiley don't hesitate to air their views and build strong relationships with their teachers.

Guilford taught me a lesson I carry with me whenever I'm traveling: how to adapt. It was so diverse that I was able to create my own niche and find an inner peace that built my confidence in a big way. So now whatever I do, I'm comfortable with my decisions — I rarely second guess myself. Which is great, because making decisions is what my job is all about.

I deal with important college coaches all the time, but it doesn't intimidate me — I was encouraged to build relationships with everyone at Guilford. For example, there your professor isn't just Professor Johnson, he's Bill and he's someone you can talk to and relate to — your confidant. He respects you as a person and a young adult, which, of course, earns him more respect in return.

The teacher I respected most was probably Adrienne Israel, who taught my favorite class: African American history. I really loved the subject, but she also expected more from me, and that made me  give more than ever before. Because she tapped into my true potential, I began to see that instead of going through the motions for a B, I could push myself to the limit and get an A.

I think about potential a lot when I'm scouting. Because now in the fall, instead of hitting the books, I hit the road. From August all the way through December, I'm pretty much my own boss — meeting with coaches, watching films on the seniors for the upcoming draft and interviewing trainers or anyone else who can give me feedback on a player's drive and character.

I feel that if I hadn't gone to Guilford, I wouldn't be where I am now. And hopefully, one day I'll climb the ranks and become a team manager. In the meantime, though, I have a lot to learn about the business side of football, and it's more that just the X's and O's.