Soccer has long been a defining part of Erinn Ring’s life. It shaped her college experience, introduced her to lasting friendships and, eventually, gave her the confidence to take a chance on herself and build a career around the sport she loves. 

Ring is now the head women’s soccer coach at Emmanuel College, a role that allows her to combine her passion for soccer with the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of student-athletes. But coaching was not always her career path. Around age 30, Ring found herself thinking seriously about what she wanted from her professional life. 

“I knew that I didn’t want to just work to have a job,” Ring said. “I wanted to have a career where I felt like I was making an actual difference and doing something I loved.”