On April 15, the Sport Studies Department sent four students and one professor to the Pittsburgh Pirates Careers in Sport Night held at PNC Park. Taun Evans, Jasmyne Kymer, Morgan McCutcheon, Lynzee Polites and Dr. Dain TePoel attended a panel and networking session where students received expert advice on pathways into careers in sports.
Pirates' executives in the areas of ticket operations, people and strategy, social media management, community relations and sales offered insights to students on their journey into the competitive sport industry, and key skills they need to succeed.
"Our students learned about the importance of identifying and communicating their passion and skills in professional terms," TePoel said. "Students must be able to highlight what they can bring to an organization. Events like this are a terrific introduction to their next stage of professional development."
The students observed a potential glimpse into their future in the sport industry. "I'm thankful for the opportunity to hear from such a new and young panel," Polites said. "Many of the Pirates' representatives were hired and started working within the past one or two years. One person had only been there for three months. Hearing the stories of their careers made me realize there isn't one straight path you're going to go on, and you must be open to trying new things and going to new places."
"There is so much that can be learned from speaking to other professionals and gaining knowledge for how to stand out in this industry," said Hunter Confair, sport science program graduate assistant. "These students will take away valuable lessons from the event to help them land their first full-time job in sports."
Experiential learning outside of the classroom is a core value and facet of the sport management major at Lock Haven University. Students remain active volunteering, working and interning at sporting events throughout the academic year. Several LHU sport management students also will be working at the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and the Formula One Miami Grand Prix at the Miami International Autodrome.
For more information on the sport management program at LHU, visit lockhaven.edu/sportadmin or contact Peter Campbell, Sport Studies Department chair, at pcampbel@commonwealthu.edu
