National Careers Week, held from May 11-17, 2026, is an opportunity to spotlight the pathways athletes pursue beyond the pool, and how education can complement elite sport.
Life of an elite athlete is most often defined by the moments in the pool, but for Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers goalkeeper Gen Longman, the “win” happens just as often behind a desk as it does between the posts.
As we celebrate National Careers Week, Longman’s journey serves as a powerful blueprint for the modern athlete.
The talented goalkeeper has transitioned into a full-time role as a Conflicts & Compliance Lawyer for an international law firm, a move that proves having it all isn’t about following a traditional path, but embracing the unique journey.
While she is widely known for her defensive prowess in the pool, Longman is now making waves in the corporate world. Working within a General Counsel team, she ensures the firm, which spans Australia and Papua New Guinea, remains compliant across a vast array of legal matters.
“It’s a great introduction to the legal industry,” Longman said. “I get to see a lot of different matters. Any new work we take on comes through us.
“It’s nice to have a dual career and use the skillset I worked really hard for at University. It allows me to switch off from the pool and use my brain outside of training.”
The transition from student-athlete to full-time lawyer isn’t without its hurdles, but the 30-year-old believes athletes possess a “secret weapon” that makes them invaluable to employers.
“Athletes make some of the best employees because our time management is already really good,” she said.
“You are already organised with training schedules; you are aware of how important those things are and how they benefit you.”
For Longman, training daily with Olympians can sometimes mask just how extraordinary that discipline is.
“When you talk to someone outside of that space, they find that incredible. You get a lot of skills and life experience that make you employable. You should be comfortable sharing that; people want to buy in and support you.”
The Olympic silver medallist attributes much of her success to the synergy between high-performance sport and education.
Through the UTS Elite Athlete Program, which works in close cohesion with Water Polo Australia, she found the flexibility needed to chase her Olympic dreams.
A pivotal moment in her final year of law school, a goalkeeper injury meant she was called to Europe on just two days notice.
“I was on a plane for three weeks,” she said. “Having the flexibility and support from the University was really important.
“That opportunity helped me cement my position in the senior team and be involved in the Tokyo and Paris Olympic cycles.”
If there is one message Longman wants to send to the next generation of players this National Careers Week, it’s that there is no “right” way to build a career.
“My resume didn’t look like your traditional law graduate. It had chunks of time I wasn’t working because I was competing or getting ready for the Olympics.
“But if you see it as a ‘cool-to-have’ diverse experience, it sets you apart in the job market.”
Her advice for fellow water polo players is simple.
“Don’t limit yourself, it is possible to have a career and be an elite athlete but it might look different than a non-athlete’s path,” she said.
“Your first job doesn’t have to be the ‘dream job’, every role builds the knowledge you need to grow.
“What I have learnt is that people want to help Australian athletes achieve their best beyond the world stage, they really want to be part of the journey.”
Longman’s eyes are also firmly on the horizon as international water polo returns to Australian shores. After feeling the distant support of watch parties during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and World Championships, she is ready to experience that energy in person.
“I’m so excited to have an international tournament on home soil; that has never happened in my career,” she said. “To be able to bring that to Sydney and feel it is something we are really grateful for.”
Whether she’s navigating complex legal compliance or guarding the net for her team, Longman’s journey is proof that the skills learned in the water are the very same ones that lead to success out of the pool.
