By Brad Pettiford, United Shore

 

Edwin Baker is used to putting in productive hours in the weight room and film room to polish his craft as a gifted running back. And now he’s getting fully immersed on what it takes to succeed in the business world, linking his leadership traits in the locker room with a developing prowess in corporate meeting rooms. 

 

When the former All-Big Ten Michigan State University running back and current member of the New Orleans Saints isn’t busy benching 400 pounds and polishing his 4.3-second 40-yard split, he’s been dedicating time to his other professional interest – human resources. Baker has been a full-fledged member of the Team Member Services department at United Shore, one of the nation’s largest independent mortgage lending companies, headquartered in Troy, Michigan.

 

The hometown guy – a former All-American high school tailback at Oak Park High School – has been busy participating on job search committees, conducting job interviews and hosting special guest visits. 

 

Baker has also played an active role in kick starting United Shore’s new health and wellness initiative, “UFIT,” by serving as a fitness coach and mentor for the company’s 1,200 team members. Every Tuesday and Thursday, he provides individuals and small groups with guidance on using equipment in the company’s fitness center to achieve personal goals. He’s implemented a weekly “Ask Edwin” video newsletter in which he answers fitness questions submitted by any of the company’s 1,200 team members.

 

“Edwin has really been an impact player for us,” said Mat Ishbia, president and CEO of United Shore. “He jumped right in, has worked hard and is constantly interacting with various teams to learn all the different operations. He’s a people person and a true leader – you can tell he’s used to taking the ball and running with it.”

 

Baker’s work ethic and leadership traits helped him fit right in at United Shore, a company that has been recognized for its unique culture and team-oriented leadership style that Ishbia – another MSU Athletics alumnus – carried over from his days as a player and assistant for head basketball coach Tom Izzo. Despite his seamless transition into the company, the office vibe at United Shore was an eye-opening experience to a man used to opening eyes.“I was surprised by how open and free-wheeling the office environment is at United Shore, despite it being in the financial services industry,” Baker said. “It does feel similar to professional football in the sense that it combines elements of fun and family with structure, a commitment to productivity, and the mentality that everyone is responsible for contributing to the team’s success. The company’s parallel between business and sports made the experience very relatable for me.”

 

Baker’s decision to dedicate a chunk of his off-season downtime speaks volumes for his long-term vision and planning, and his commitment to improving himself in a well-rounded manner. While a student-athlete at MSU, he made a strategic decision to focus his education on human resources for the long-term and diverse career prospects it would present after his gridiron days are complete.

 

“I took a very forward-thinking approach to my studies because I wanted to set myself up for future opportunities,” Baker said. “There are human resources departments everywhere, no matter what type or size of company you work for, so I wanted to make sure I’d have a career.”

 

The off-season experience at United Shore has been valuable to the 23-year-old, as it has allowed him to get hands-on training in his chosen non-football field to serve as an excellent reference point well into the future when his football playing days are over.

 

“Professional football is a young man’s game, and the average career length is just over three years,” Baker said. “We’re encouraged to be proactive in preparing ourselves for life after football, and United Shore has been an awesome place. The culture and people make it a fun experience every day, and they have really given me an opportunity to learn how HR operates at large, fast-paced companies. United Shore is a company I’d love to work at down the line when my playing days are over.”

 

With Baker’s quick mastery of the United Shore playbook, his strong people skills, and his ability to be take projects to paydirt, there’s no doubt that the top-flight athlete will continue to win over teammates and score weekly victories, well beyond his football playing days.