Arik Armstead Stay Hungry Career Camp: In Morgan Hill, thirty high school students from across the Bay Area were given a unique opportunity to explore various career paths within the headquarters of Shoe Palace. San Francisco 49ers’ Arik Armstead spearheaded the Stay Hungry Career Camp, emphasizing the importance of community and mentorship in shaping successful lives.
Reflecting on his own upbringing, Armstead shared that his father’s involvement in training NBA players exposed him to a world of professional athletes, creating a tangible path for success. The impact of such exposure led him to create the Armstead Academic Project, aimed at showcasing viable career pathways to students from Sacramento to the Bay Area.
Arik Armstead’s wife, a physician, highlighted the project’s goal of making education meaningful for students, helping them understand the practical applications of their learning and, in turn, increasing their economic mobility. She emphasized the significance of firsthand experiences in helping students envision potential careers.
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During the career camp, students toured Shoe Palace’s facilities, including the warehouse, design department, and a mock store. The immersive experience allowed them to explore different aspects of the business and gain insights into potential career paths.
One student, Cornelius Sheavert from Jesse Bethel High School in Vallejo, initially hesitant about the camp, found it surprisingly engaging. He expressed his newfound interest, saying, “Once I saw everything, I said that’s really nice, something I would want to do.”
Marcello Morerra, a junior at DeAnza High School in El Sobrante aspiring to become a professional photographer, found the experience eye-opening. He learned about the role of photographers in capturing product images for websites, adding, “It was cool.”
Shoe Palace, a San Jose-based company, has its roots in humble beginnings. Co-owner John Mersho shared that the family started selling shoes in a stand at the Berryessa flea market in 1993. The family’s commitment to treating people well and their passion for sneakers drove the growth of Shoe Palace, now boasting over 200 stores.
Jason Dooley, working in the partnerships and licensing department at Shoe Palace, collaborated with the 49ers to organize the career camp. He emphasized the importance of giving back to the community, acknowledging that many of Shoe Palace’s team members were once kids seeking outlets for their creativity.
Arik Armstead and the Shoe Palace team envision this career camp as the first of many to come. They see it as their responsibility to share resources, knowledge, and opportunities with the next generation, fostering a spirit of mentorship and community support.
Our Reader’s Queries
Where did Arik Armstead go to college?
Arik Armstead, born on November 15, 1993, is a defensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL. He played college football at Oregon and was selected by the 49ers in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft.