This past weekend Kaitlin Reese and I traveled to Washington, D.C. to represent the Virginia Tech Sports Business Club at the 3rd Annual Sports Industry Networking and Career Conference. The two-day conference was held at The George Washington University and roughly 250 aspiring and current sports professionals were present. The keynote speakers included noteworthy names such as Chief Legal Officer for the NCAA, Mr. Donald Remy, President of Galatioto Sports, Mr. Salvator Galatioto, and ESPN NFL Business Analyst, Mr. Andrew Brandt. Because the field of sports is so expansive, the conference's goal was to bring together a variety of individuals from various areas within the discipline for thought-provoking conversation and networking. Some of the companies and organizations in attendance included: The Washington Redskins, Fancred, Under Armour, The Baltimore Orioles, The NCAA, The Philadelphia 76ers, Monumental Sports, Madison Square Garden, and many more.
One unique thing about this conference compared to others I have been to is that the panelists encouraged us to be on our phones during their presentations. The Communications Manager of the Philadelphia Eagles, Mrs. Linda Thomas, told us to tweet and search while she talked, claiming that social media can only enhance the experience we were getting.
One unique thing about this conference compared to others I have been to is that the panelists encouraged us to be on our phones during their presentations. The Communications Manager of the Philadelphia Eagles, Mrs. Linda Thomas, told us to tweet and search while she talked, claiming that social media can only enhance the experience we were getting.
The first night of the two-day conference we were also given he opportunity to attend a Washington Wizards basketball game. Being from Annapolis, Maryland the Wizards are my "districted" fan team; however, I'd only been to one Wizards game before that night. We may have gotten nosebleeds from the attitude our seats were at, but I loved being able to be with Kaitlin - the biggest men's basketball fan I know - for her first NBA game.
Day two asked the question "What's a college student's favorite word?" INTERVIEWS (just kidding; it's "free"). SINC was nice enough (...or they just enjoy watching children squirm) to have a number of the companies in attendance have interview spots. Before arriving, we filled out a survey and were given a few interviews. Kaitlin and I were both scheduled to interview with a company we'd never heard of. The company's focus was on video production - a topic we both knew little about and have zero interest - and the interview was uncomfortable, to say the least. HOWEVER, thanks to the good luck dance I did in my PJs the night I submitted the interview survey, I was given an interview slot with US Lacrosse. The Director of Strategic Partnerships, Mr. Keith Scully, interviewed me and it was the best interview I've ever had. He asked me the typical questions about my past experiences and future my aspirations within US Lacrosse, but he also gave me tips-and-tricks within the industry and took the time to really get to know me. Fingers crossed that one works out or it'll be "Would you like fries with that?" for me all summer (just kidding...sort of....).
As a junior in college who is - much to my dismay - being forced to realize that life will not always be "no class on Fridays," "eat Bruegger's for every meal," and "watch movies on weekdays until 2 a.m.," the conference was very enlightening. It was the perfect opportunity to test the waters and speak to people in numerous sports fields that I had never even considered.
Day two asked the question "What's a college student's favorite word?" INTERVIEWS (just kidding; it's "free"). SINC was nice enough (...or they just enjoy watching children squirm) to have a number of the companies in attendance have interview spots. Before arriving, we filled out a survey and were given a few interviews. Kaitlin and I were both scheduled to interview with a company we'd never heard of. The company's focus was on video production - a topic we both knew little about and have zero interest - and the interview was uncomfortable, to say the least. HOWEVER, thanks to the good luck dance I did in my PJs the night I submitted the interview survey, I was given an interview slot with US Lacrosse. The Director of Strategic Partnerships, Mr. Keith Scully, interviewed me and it was the best interview I've ever had. He asked me the typical questions about my past experiences and future my aspirations within US Lacrosse, but he also gave me tips-and-tricks within the industry and took the time to really get to know me. Fingers crossed that one works out or it'll be "Would you like fries with that?" for me all summer (just kidding...sort of....).
As a junior in college who is - much to my dismay - being forced to realize that life will not always be "no class on Fridays," "eat Bruegger's for every meal," and "watch movies on weekdays until 2 a.m.," the conference was very enlightening. It was the perfect opportunity to test the waters and speak to people in numerous sports fields that I had never even considered.