Meet PHQ Ambassador: Emily Pape

A Program Built By and For Student-Athletes

The Prospect HQ Student Ambassador Program exists for one reason. We believe the people who understand the student-athlete experience best are student-athletes themselves. Our ambassadors are the connective tissue between our platform and the communities we serve. They help shape how we show up on campus, and they bring real stories from real careers to athletes who are figuring out what comes next.

Ambassadors get hands-on experience in career development, networking, and personal branding. They build connections with other athletes across the country who are navigating the same questions about life after sport. They also get a behind-the-scenes look at how a startup operates, which is its own kind of education.

This series is where we introduce the people doing that work. We want you to know who they are, what drives them, and what they've learned along the way.

Introducing Emily Pape

Emily is a senior at Cornell University, graduating in the class of 2026. She plays on Cornell's basketball team, and she's spent her time on campus thinking seriously about what comes after the buzzer on her last college game. Her ambitions are big and specific, which is something we love about her. She also has a refreshing honesty about the parts of the student-athlete experience that don't get talked about enough.

We sat down with Emily to learn more about who she is on and off the court.

Tell us your name, school, sport, and graduation year.

Emily Pape, Cornell University, and I'm class of 2026.

How would your teammates describe you in three words?

Passionate, dedicated, kind.

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?

I have beginner-level cooking skills.

What was your first job ever?

My first job was at Dairy Queen.

What do you think you want to do after graduation, and how certain are you really?

I want to play professional basketball and get my master's degree at the same time. Eventually, I want to work in corporate sustainability. I feel pretty confident about the path, even if the timeline has some flexibility built in.

What is something about being a student-athlete people don't talk about enough?

The transition out of your sport as a senior. Going from a full-time student-athlete to having no commitments, no workouts, no team schedule, that shift is real. Finishing your last college season can be a difficult reality to face. It may feel like you're losing a part of your identity. Talking about it certainly helps, which is part of why I wanted to be involved in something like this.

What is one skill from sports that translates to the real world?

Accountability. Holding yourself and your teammates to a specific standard that aligns with your team's goals and values can be replicated in the workplace. It's how you build a healthy and successful work environment.

What made you want to become a Prospect HQ Student Ambassador?

I wanted to learn skills related to career development and networking, and to connect with other student-athletes in similar positions to myself. We're all entering the workforce and hoping to make an impact, and there's something powerful about doing that alongside people who get it.

What would you tell someone nervous to put themselves out there?

Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. If you feel unsure about putting yourself out there, just know your voice and experiences are valuable. They could have a significant impact on whoever finds you.

Favorite hype song before a game?

Confident by Justin Bieber.

Join the Prospect HQ Student Ambassador Program

If Emily's story sounds familiar, or if you want the kind of community and career-building experience she's describing, we'd love to have you. Our ambassadors are athletes who care about what's next, who want to build real skills, and who are ready to help other student-athletes do the same.

Apply to become a Prospect HQ Student Ambassador today.

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