Michigan State University Athletics
Kyle Workman: The Full Package
2/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
Feb. 3, 2015 
By Erin Scott, MSU Athletic Communications Student Assistant
Packaging major and men's swimming senior Kyle Workman records numerous hours both in the pool and in the classroom, working to secure his future while helping out his team as his career as a Michigan State student-athlete comes to a close.
"I hope when the current freshmen are seniors, they think back to me and the only other senior (David Zoltowski), and they learn something from us and think back to their experiences with us and think we did a good job when they are in our shoes," said Workman.
A four-year letter winner, Workman has competed in multiple events during his swimming career at MSU, noting the 50 butterfly as his favorite. Workman currently ranks sixth all-time at Michigan State in the 100 butterfly, with a time of 48.57.
"The 50 butterfly is not an actual event, it's only in the relays, but I like it because once you're up it's all about pure power and kicking well underwater," said Workman.
Swim meets can make for long days, and competing in multiple events can tire even the most seasoned veteran. To combat this, Workman credits a single, slightly ironic snack as his pre-meet selection.
"Something I do a lot of the time before big meets is to eat goldfish, I figure there's some carbs in there," said Workman.
Workman realizes the irony that comes with his food of choice, embracing it with a laugh. He even prefers the whole-grain cheddar variety specifically.
In a few of his hours out of the pool, he finds time to attend weekly Coalition of Packaging Professionals and Academic Connections (CoPPAC) meetings with fellow MSU students.
"I think it's something important for me to go and do every Tuesday," said Workman.
In the packaging industry, participation in this group is a notable addition to one's resume, helping an inspiring packaging engineer stand-out from the crowd. However, CoPPAC is not just used for resume fluff. It also provides an opportunity for students to meet with industry professionals and learn about their specific company, as well as network with potential employers.
Approaching graduation, Workman is closing in on the end of his time as an MSU student-athlete, and reflects on the things that got him where he is, and where they could take him in the future.
In particular, he remembers his mom prodding him to make packaging his major from the beginning.
"Once I got here my mom kept bugging me about it because the job market is really good in that field, but then one day I just really looked at the curriculum and I thought it was a good combination of creativity and science, so I thought that'd be a good fit," said Workman.
Having stuck with it, Workman now plans to take his Michigan State education out into the real world starting with an internship and then moving onto a full-time position.
"I'm looking for a six-month internship right now," Workman said.
Hailing from Chicago, Workman has lived in the Midwest his entire life. However staying close to home in the future is not a priority.
When looking at jobs, "Any company that was in Michigan I immediately ruled out; there's a couple on the east coast in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, but anywhere in the Midwest I pretty much just ruled out. Maybe I'll be able to move somewhere that I can swim outside," Workman said.
Wherever he ends up, Workman will always cherish the moments and memories he made both in the pool and in the classroom here in East Lansing, and will carry his Spartan pride with him, probably with a bag of Goldfish.
Packaging major and men's swimming senior Kyle Workman records numerous hours both in the pool and in the classroom, working to secure his future while helping out his team as his career as a Michigan State student-athlete comes to a close.
"I hope when the current freshmen are seniors, they think back to me and the only other senior (David Zoltowski), and they learn something from us and think back to their experiences with us and think we did a good job when they are in our shoes," said Workman.
A four-year letter winner, Workman has competed in multiple events during his swimming career at MSU, noting the 50 butterfly as his favorite. Workman currently ranks sixth all-time at Michigan State in the 100 butterfly, with a time of 48.57.
"The 50 butterfly is not an actual event, it's only in the relays, but I like it because once you're up it's all about pure power and kicking well underwater," said Workman.
Swim meets can make for long days, and competing in multiple events can tire even the most seasoned veteran. To combat this, Workman credits a single, slightly ironic snack as his pre-meet selection.
"Something I do a lot of the time before big meets is to eat goldfish, I figure there's some carbs in there," said Workman.
Workman realizes the irony that comes with his food of choice, embracing it with a laugh. He even prefers the whole-grain cheddar variety specifically.
In a few of his hours out of the pool, he finds time to attend weekly Coalition of Packaging Professionals and Academic Connections (CoPPAC) meetings with fellow MSU students.
"I think it's something important for me to go and do every Tuesday," said Workman.
In the packaging industry, participation in this group is a notable addition to one's resume, helping an inspiring packaging engineer stand-out from the crowd. However, CoPPAC is not just used for resume fluff. It also provides an opportunity for students to meet with industry professionals and learn about their specific company, as well as network with potential employers.
Approaching graduation, Workman is closing in on the end of his time as an MSU student-athlete, and reflects on the things that got him where he is, and where they could take him in the future.
In particular, he remembers his mom prodding him to make packaging his major from the beginning.
"Once I got here my mom kept bugging me about it because the job market is really good in that field, but then one day I just really looked at the curriculum and I thought it was a good combination of creativity and science, so I thought that'd be a good fit," said Workman.
Having stuck with it, Workman now plans to take his Michigan State education out into the real world starting with an internship and then moving onto a full-time position.
"I'm looking for a six-month internship right now," Workman said.
Hailing from Chicago, Workman has lived in the Midwest his entire life. However staying close to home in the future is not a priority.
When looking at jobs, "Any company that was in Michigan I immediately ruled out; there's a couple on the east coast in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, but anywhere in the Midwest I pretty much just ruled out. Maybe I'll be able to move somewhere that I can swim outside," Workman said.
Wherever he ends up, Workman will always cherish the moments and memories he made both in the pool and in the classroom here in East Lansing, and will carry his Spartan pride with him, probably with a bag of Goldfish.
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