CAREER TALK WITH KATI TABIN '15

Grade 8 Career Awareness with Kati Tabin

 

 

As part of the Grade 8 Career Awareness Program, BH Alum and professional hockey player, Kati Tabin, came to speak to the Grade 8 Career Awareness class on November 6th to tell us all about her educational and career path.

 

Kati grew up in Oakbank, Manitoba, and came to BH in Grade 7. During her time at BH, she played both high school and prep hockey, and, in her Grade 11 year, she committed to Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. While playing for Quinnipiac, Kati made the u22 Team Canada Development team in 2018, and later, the Senior Team Canada Camp in 2019. Afterwards, she became the captain of the Bobcats, graduated with a bachelor's in business marketing (2020) and master's in business administration (2022). Although Kati was part of theTeam Canada Olympic Camp, the arrangement didn’t work out and she decided to stop playing hockey and got a marketing job at a campground in Wisconsin Dells. 

 

Nonetheless, Kati missed playing hockey and was reached out to by the Connecticut Whale (PHF) and offered a contract to play for them for the rest of the season. Afterwards, Kati moved back to Winnipeg and worked at the RINK as an instructor for six months and was offered a contract to play for the Toronto Six (PHF) for the 2022-23 season. Kati ended up winning the Isobel Cup during her time with the Six while working for Yamaha Motor Canada. This year, Kati was drafted by Montreal in the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s (PWHL) inaugural season and is currently attending their three-week training program. 

 

Not only did Kati share her inspiring story with us, but she emphasized several important lessons she has learned throughout her journey. One lesson Kati focused on during her presentation, was “focus on what you can control.” She talked about how she would often let small things interfere with her focus and performance during games and practices. She shared that after getting cut from Team Canada senior program preparing for the Olympics, she recognized that the coach’sdecision was out of her control and began to zero in on her individual skills and effort on the ice and saw noticeable improvements in her performance. This lesson truly resonated with me and is something all students can connect to. In addition, Kati’s presentation demonstrated that the path to success is not a straight one, and is full of new opportunities, adversity, and change. Nonetheless, if you find what drives you, anything is possible. Finally, Kati’s incredible ability to juggle an education, and career as an athlete and marketer highlighted the importance of balance and prioritizing during busy and stressful times. 

 

Overall, Kati’s presentation was inspiring and an incredible opportunity for students to learn about pursuing a career in athletics and business.