Behind the Scenes in College Athletics
For some college students, sports are a quintessential part of their college experience. The lights, the action, and the warm feeling of unity within the crowd create an unforgettable atmosphere. For those students that want to go behind the scenes, here’s what it takes to contribute to the college athletics experience.
Taking the First Step
In high school, I played volleyball and managed my school’s first men’s volleyball team. I have always had a knack for working behind the scenes in sports and wanted to continue that in college as a first-year student.
I was not sure how to get involved with college athletics, but I knew it was a passion of mine. This was especially true since I was pursuing a sports management certificate.
One day, I saw an email about getting involved in athletics at the University of Pittsburgh. The opportunity that caught my eye most was the ticketing office assistant role. As a finance major, I wanted to learn about the financial side of athletics, as my goal is to work in a corporate setting for athlete entertainment.
From Fan to Insider
Once I got the job and the school year started, I immediately gained hands-on experience. In this role, I worked in ticket sales, customer service, and ticket scanning at a variety of sports games. This gave me direct experience interacting with fans on game day.
I also helped handle customer ticket issues during games, which taught me how to problem-solve quickly in a fast-paced environment. I held weekly office hours where I assisted customers over the phone with ticket purchases, questions, and concerns.
While working at different sporting events, I met other students with various roles in the athletics department. This showed me the many opportunities in the sports industry, such as marketing, game-day operations, media, broadcasting, and team management. The list goes on; if you’re interested in sports, there is a niche for you.
Opening Doors Through Athletics
Working in college athletics has opened many doors for me. It has allowed me to do cool things I would not have been able to do otherwise.
For example, our Division I women’s volleyball team was one of the top teams in the NCAA this past season. Through my job, I had the honor of working at the Sweet 16 tournament hosted in Pittsburgh, an opportunity my younger self would have dreamed of.
If you’re interested in sports, just reach out. Email the athletic department or send a direct message to a team’s social media page. You never know the amazing opportunities you’ll get to experience.
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