By: Michael Chang

Patrick Charles Korver woke up on a beautiful summer day exuberant to begin his career search. He had just graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in technological statistics, a major he had stumbled into without much thought.

Throughout the first twenty-two years of his life, Patrick had been described as a “well-rounded scholar-athlete” by his friends, family, teachers, and coaches. Patrick played varsity basketball and tennis in high school. Also, he made the UCLA basketball team with a role of a respectable bench player. He graduated from UCLA with a uniquely underwhelming accomplishment. Patrick had the highest GPA on the basketball team. Being the humble person that he was, he brushed off this accolade like a speck of dust on a windowsill.

With his good grades, a multitude of passions, and extensive knowledge of the sport of basketball, he started looking for jobs. According to Patrick’s mother, “He was supposed to apply for jobs earlier, but he was too busy with school and his dozens of extracurriculars.” Reluctantly, Patrick realized that this rationale was true.

He thought that working solely with statistics and mathematics was extremely tedious. Realistically, he knew that he was not skilled enough to play professional basketball or tennis. Patrick enjoyed fidgeting with technology, but he also felt that staring at a screen all day was detrimental to his wellness. However, deep inside, there was a burning passion for statistics, sports, and technology.

After one hundred and thirty-one hours of painstaking contemplation, Patrick still did not have a career decision. He asked his brother for some advice. His brother replied with three words, “Up to you.” Unsatisfied with this answer, he went to his father. His father’s response, “Not right now, I’m in a meeting,” frustrated Patrick even more.

Immediately after getting brushed off like an insect on a picnic table by his brother and father, Patrick reached out to his best friend, Manchego Colby Jack. Patrick explained that he was stuck on the fence between the three industries and asked Manchego for some helpful advice on his future endeavors. Manchego responded with this provocative question: “What if you found a job that combines statistics, sports, and technology?” After scouring the internet, Patrick found and applied for an interdisciplinary position as a Statistical Technology Analytics Lead for the NBA.

Fifteen years later, through passion, friendship, and advice, Patrick exclaimed truthfully, “I love my job!”