Len Williamson
Founder & Chief Advisor
My Career Journey
My Story
My path from an Amherst College basketball player to a leader in the field of education was a journey filled with wins, losses, unexpected turns, and valuable lessons. Just like it’s supposed to be.
I spent four incredible years as a student playing basketball at Amherst, culminating with the NCAA DIII National Championship in 2013. And I was fortunate enough to win the award for Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. It was a great feeling as I reflected back on all the hard work and sacrifice it took to get there. On top of that, my dream to play professionally overseas came true soon after, as I signed with a sports agency and received an offer to play in Europe. I pictured myself playing pro ball for at least the next few years.
But life had other plans. After a short time abroad, injuries ultimately ended my basketball career, and I soon found myself back home, without a clear path forward.
Reflecting on my time in college, I realized how much my identity was tied to being an athlete. I had some academic achievements to be proud of, but my career development experiences were limited. It’s one of the few things I wish I had approached differently during my college years. As I transitioned out of sports, I had to discover who I was beyond the basketball court.
This period of introspection pushed me to leverage the skills and strengths I developed as an athlete — perseverance, discipline, teamwork — to tap into my network and embark on a new career path. Within a year, I had a great job working at a prep school as an educator and coach. I was excited about this career lane that I was forging in education. From there, I quickly rose to school leadership and ultimately nonprofit leadership positions.
Along my professional journey, I’ve been in the fortunate position to have advised dozens of high school athletes who went on to play in college. It’s been rewarding to give back and share what I’ve learned from my student-athlete experiences to help others navigate their own educational and athletic treks. More recently, my attention has been on the huge need for providing better quality guidance to student-athletes at another crucial stage of their journey: the transition from college to career.
I started Williamson Advising to help college athletes prepare for professional life after sports, something I personally wish I had more support with at that stage in my life. With an understanding of the unique challenges that athletes face, Williamson Advising provides tailored guidance to ensure a smooth transition to a successful career. Whether it’s exploring interests outside of sports, building a professional network, or developing essential career knowledge and skills, I’m here to guide athletes through this critical phase of life.
My journey has taught me the importance of being prepared, taking action, and making connections with people. I’m here to teach athletes how to do this most effectively. If you’re a college athlete, parent, or coach who’s interested in career guidance, let’s connect!
For more information
Email info@williamsonadvising.com