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𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙬 𝙐𝙥: 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙮 𝙀𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙞𝙫𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙮. Ayana Lawson didn’t dream of working in professional sports. Helping Oklahoma City Thunder players be successful on-and-off the court. In fact, growing up in Alabama, she didn’t even know people like her could have a job in the industry. There were no pro teams nearby. Just the coaches and players she saw on TV. “I was naive to think that was it.” But when she landed an internship with the Memphis Grizzlies, something clicked. She wasn’t just an intern. She was working under Jerry West. The logo himself. A kid from Prattville learning from one of the greatest. How did that happen? It opened her eyes to a world of careers she never knew existed. Before that, she worked at a children’s museum. Babysitting. That internship didn’t feel like part of some grand career plan. It was just a shot she took. And she’s grateful for every lesson she learned. That’s something she always tells young people: “It’s okay not to know.” You’re not supposed to have everything figured out at 17 or 18. Some people are 40, 50, even 60 and still don’t know what they want to be. And that’s fine!” So take chances. Ask questions. Dabble in new fields. Internships, like the one Ayana did, can open doors to industries you never considered. In the end, you might discover that your skills are transferable. And there’s a place for you in sports, entertainment, or any field you choose. But the only way you’ll know? Try. *** Want to make a positive impact on an undergrad or recent grad’s life? Help them grow by sharing Ayana’s story with them today. It’ll give you a greater sense of purpose. And get them one step closer to fulfilling their dream. Thank you Ayana for sharing your belief in students with us for this series. It’s a gift to hear how you found your way into the sports industry and learn from your experience!

The sooner you start, the sooner you fail. The sooner you fail, the sooner you learn. The sooner you learn, the sooner you win! Everyone wants the quick path to success - to land a job working for their dream team without putting in the work before hand. That’s just not reality. Pro sports business teams off-the-field function similarly to the pro sports teams on-the-field that they support. You’ve usually gotta spend time on the practice squad. And before the practice squad, you’ve gotta have years of experience in your position/field/niche. So get internships as early as your first semester of college! Because… The sooner you start, the sooner you fail. The sooner you fail, the sooner you learn. The sooner you learn, the sooner you win!

One of our interns last year asked me a good question: what bad habit did you overcome that helped you most professionally? Frankly, it was hard to choose! Learning from mistakes has become somewhat of a specialty. But the first bad habit that came to mind was this: Worrying. Usually starting around 2am. I do that much less now. In fact, hardly ever. Thankfully, someone a while back enlightened me to the phrase “worrying makes you suffer twice” – and that clicked. Work hard, sure. Do your best, of course. Seek help when needed, absolutely! But if you’ve done all that, worrying isn’t going to get you extra credit. Especially in the middle of the night. There’s more than enough to puzzle out during daylight hours, so give yourself some grace and save 2am for sleep. As we welcome this year's summer interns, I want to be prepared with some other good answers. What bad habit have you dropped over the years? Leave me a comment 👇

The sooner you start planning for your future after sports the easier your transition will be.

✨ STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ✨ Meet Aidan Bhargava, an incoming senior from Wichita, Kansas who is majoring in business management. She is currently a development intern for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. She is also involved on campus in University of Arkansas Associated Student Government (ASG) including the executive board as the previous Freshman Leadership Forum Coordinator, Nation Model United Nations, Walton Honors Peer Mentor and much more. She also owns her own photography business! Check out her Q&A below and tune in tomorrow on Instagram as she takes over our Instagram story to show a day in the life as a Crystal Bridges intern! 🎨How did you secure your Summer internship at Crystal Bridges? LinkedIn! When looking for internships, my first search is ALWAYS LinkedIn. Through the LinkedIn job search you can see UARK alumni that work at the company you are looking at applying to, the # of other applicants, and how you would fit in the role. For my position, I got to interview with a past Walton Honors Advisor, which prompted a great conversation and helped the interview flow smoothly! 📸You are so involved on campus and also run your own photography business! How do you manage all of that with your schoolwork and internships? The best advice I’ve gotten in college is to treat college like a 9-5. If you set your mind (& schedule) to doing schoolwork from 9-5, it leaves the early mornings and afternoons for activities—which for myself have been ASG, photography, and time with friends. Running a business while in college can be challenging at times, but I have found that when you prioritize your time and have a solid support system, it’s 100x easier. But… no one is ever perfect, and there were days I struggled to do what needed to get done, which is why putting time into relationships is so important, so you have someone to lean on. 📚What advice would you give to your freshman year self? Say yes to everything! I was SO shy coming to college and had to really push myself to go out and meet people. If I could go back knowing what I know now, I would remind myself that everyone is in the same boat. In Walton especially you will be surrounded with your classmates for the next 4 years.. so don’t be afraid to introduce yourself and be a friend early on!

I've never met Brian, and this isn't meant to take away from his post but add to it. Remember that this isn't a full list. - Get in any way you can - Yes. Make connections, get experience, get exposure. But don't treat those opportunities like a "foot in the door". - Get transferable skills - Absolutely. Build your skills set and know where you want to go. - Add Value in your current role - Absolutely. Always. There's one important step that I want to make sure isn't ignored. You have to know where you're heading before you can know how to get there. When people ask me about getting a job in the NBA, there is a LOT of variance to that question. A job in Scouting looks a lot different than a job in Sponsorship. Don't treat them like they're the same. Paths can and often will change mid route, and that's OK, but don't "One size fits all" the league or industry.

Athletic Training Advice Column: How do I get an NFL internship? Since I graduated with a degree in athletic training, many students have asked me for advice on various topics over the years. Starting today, I will use this platform to offer advice on the common questions I am asked based on my experiences and opinions. I challenge you to continue the conversation with your peers or in the comments. "How do I get an NFL athletic training internship?" First and most important, you have to be eligible. To be considered you must have graduated or are currently enrolled in an accredited Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP). Each year we got so many students who were in Kinesiology/Exercise Science/Nursing/Sports Management programs. While they are great career paths, they are not athletic training programs. Make sure you are currently enrolled in an ATEP or are a certified athletic trainer. Have some experience in football OR professional level sports. Working with your school's football team provides the foundational knowledge you will need for how a football program operates. Any athletic trainers who have worked a football practice know it is very different from all other sports. Having experience in this setting not only gives the staff confidence that you won't get killed in practice, but also shows that you know (to some extent) what to expect and want to be there. The days are long and wanting to be there is important for your own success. Football is not for everyone... find out beforehand if it is something you want to pursue. Apply early and apply to everyone. The process of applying has gotten much easier with the online application. You don't have to pay for postage and correctly address 32 envelopes like I did. When I was applying, the teams I thought I had connections to did not have a spot for me and I never imagined the team I accepted an internship with would even consider me. You have 32 shots, take them all. The PFATS Internship application is live and hires are being made today! The link is below. Don't wait! https://lnkd.in/dnmJyzfd

Summer Placements...Sports Biz Program Olin Business School at Washington University With hopes still of reaching our record mark from Summer 2023 by June 1, happy to share that the Business of Sports program in the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis is now up to 28 students who have found either Summer 2024 internships or entry-level placements in sports and entertainment. As I review how these opportunities were sourced, 8 stemmed from direct emails to me from industry employers seeking talent, 6 were through TeamWork Online, 4 were through family/friends, 2 were through LinkedIn, 2 were through team websites, and the others didn't specify. That we have placed nearly 60 students in the last 2 summers across various sports industry internships and entry-level jobs is truly amazing, and makes me feel very lucky to play a mentorship role with such a talented and dynamic group of young people. 25 different companies...12 properties/teams, 9 agencies, 1 speedway, 1 tech company, and 2 "others". 8 companies we've placed students in the past, so 17 new companies we are engaging with this summer. And we have alumni connections at 8 of the 25 companies listed below. Connections, connections...and then more connections. That's the WashU way. The companies where WashU students will work this summer include DICK'S Sporting Goods (GameChanger program), Oak View Group, Milwaukee Bucks Inc., Wasserman, GSE Worldwide, SponsorUnited, TXV Partners, World Wide Technology Raceway, Philadelphia Eagles, Golden State Warriors, Paragon Marketing Group, Brooklyn Nets, WIT Sports, SportsManias, Elevate, Columbus Crew, Pittsburgh Penguins, York Rugby Club, Austin FC, Forward Madison FC, Milwaukee Brewers, Rank + Rally, Chicago Fire FC, Universal Music Group, Chicago Bears

To all college students looking for sports internships this fall: you may find opportunities to gain work experience outside a team or league’s front office. The sports industry is vast and ever-evolving, presenting countless opportunities for aspiring sports professionals. The key is to think outside the box and explore how your passion for sports can intersect with other industries and skill sets. Here are just a few examples. 👕⚖️📊📲🗞️

College student interested in sports? You should join… your school’s sports business club If they don’t have one, then start one! Participate tons your 1st year, ✅ ask questions ✅ bring friends ✅ have fun! Volunteer for a leadership role your 2nd year 🚀 Grow the club Get a table at a popular building on campus and hand out flyers. Network by inviting guest speakers. 🚀 Aim high! I’ve never had someone turn down an invitation to speak to my sports business club. (I have had people not reply, but that's different 😉). 🚀 Apply to internships because… Now you've got ✅ industry experience ✅ leadership experience ✅ you’re growing your network, and ✅ you’re learning what you like / don’t like ♻️ Repost if this was helpful P.S. What’s your advice for college students interested in sports?