Student Spotlight: Brett, Sports Marketing Institute, Online Experience 2020

Throughout the 2020 Summer Immersion Program – Online Experience we will be featuring different students to talk about their diverse experiences in our Institutes. Learn more about our online Institutes from the perspective of our students. 

 

What were your biggest takeaways? 

I learned the value that any position in the sports world has on the industry. I also learned that the sports world is very large and therefore, there are numerous opportunities to get involved. The one theme I picked up throughout the week was the importance of gaining experiences in the world, even if it has nothing to do with your job position aspirations.

 

What is something new that you learned about yourself? 

I learned that I might be interested in other roles in the sports marketing world than I previously thought. Before the week began, I had my mind set on becoming a sports agent or owning a professional sports team, but after the week ended, I learned that I might be interested in being an athletic director. Listening to professionals on the panel made me realize how broad of a market the sports world is.

How has this experience changed your mindset?  

I have gained more of an idea about what it takes to begin. The sports marketing world and the final job one is looking for does not come instantly. I learned that the momentum of grinding and making connections early on will finally pay off.

 

What is an experience you had that really stands out to you? 

Listening to Jay Bilas speak about his job was fascinating. He discussed his preparation before games, which includes scouting teams and forming ideas, which in turn, helped him in the law field. Mr. Bilas also discussed how he focuses on his role and speaks as he sees the game. He is never biased towards one team, which helps him be the best at his job while analyzing the game.

 

Describe someone you met who impacted you. 

Listening to Mr. Jeff Triplette speak was fascinating. His perspective, as a retired NFL referee, was interesting because he discussed the preparation that goes into a game. He described his job as very scripted, since television crews had to communicate with him during timeouts and commercial breaks. I also realized not only how important his job was, but how much pressure falls on his shoulders. Referees need to trust their gut while officiating, which always receives disagreement from opposing players, coaches, and fans. Overall, listening to Mr. Triplette was a great experience, and I am fortunate for all of the panelists Wake Forest and the Summer Immersion Program had to offer.

 

How has this experience impacted your future? 

This experience has impacted my future because I have gained knowledge about the various ways I can get involved in the sports world. Furthermore, before the program, I had thought that going to a college with a Sports Management major would be the only way I could join the sports marketing world. This is not the case. I learned that it begins with experience, which often times begins in the ‘trenches’ with less desirable jobs.

 

What was your favorite moment from this week? 

My favorite moment from this week was formulating a plan for the CAPOS program. Led by an awesome student and program director, Courtney, and working alongside so many aspiring sports marketing students, I was able to come up with a great plan for the soccer student section. Listening to so many ideas helped guide my work and preparation for the final display of the project.

 

How has this experience clarified your goals? 

This experience has clarified my goals because I learned that experience is all it takes. Experience and a grinding mentality plus some luck leads to success in the sports marketing world.

 

What was the most interesting thing you did/saw/learned?

I found learning that the constant theme of experience and hard work to be most interesting. All of the panelists seemed to agree that working hard early on would pay off.

Why would you recommend the Summer Immersion Program?

I would recommend the Summer Immersion Program – Online Experience because Wake Forest offered the perfect combination of panelists, great leaders, student collaborators, and projects. This, in turn, led to a great experience full of learning about wisdom from the panelists.