Analytics is the next big thing in business, and a field that is growing. This past March, I attended the Major League Baseball Diversity Business Summit in Phoenix, AZ. It was while networking with some of the top sports business leaders of baseball that I recognized the development of this field: these organizations incorporate both player statistics as well as groundbreaking involvement in front office strategy simply by utilizing data the teams already had. Here, many of these executives recommended that I further my education in analytics, especially given my background. Considering all of my past experiences, attaining an MBA in this field would only enhance my credibility. Therefore, the next logical step for me is to stay at Point Park University and enroll in the MBA track for Business Analytics.
Going into college just a few years ago, I never thought that the sports industry was going to be my future: having studied ballet for fourteen years, I saw myself working in the performing arts field. In fact, my job shadow freshmen year was with Jacob Bacharach, Operations Manager of the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts. He told me that I was going to make it in business for I understood the importance of numbers. Upon realizing this, I chose to declare a minor in Accounting, which eventually led to a summer Finance Internship with Pittsburgh Public Theater under the supervision of Catherine Bogats, Director of Finance and Administration. While this was yet another successful experience, I discovered that the sports industry was a better fit for me. On that note, my junior year, I became the Fall Ticket Operations Intern with the Pittsburgh Penguins under the supervision of Erin Exley, Sr. Director of Database and Ticket Operations. One of my projects as a Penguins intern was to incorporate numbers from their ticket accounts through StratBridge Insight and the NHL Ticket Exchange. I was able to successfully configure how our market purchases tickets, thus allowing for necessary price adjustments. Although the Penguins do not have an analytics department, this knowledge still serves a purpose. Upon completion of my internship, the Pittsburgh Penguins recommended that I apply for their newest part-time position: Inside Sales Representative. Less than two months after my internship ended, I was hired. To attain additional knowledge of the business, I am also a Marketing/Events Intern with the Pittsburgh Steelers under the supervision of John Simpson, Director of Marketing/Events. This past summer, I worked Training Camp at St. Vincent College, and presently work game days and special events to increase brand awareness and represent Steelers Nation Unite—the official loyalty program of Steelers Nation.
After acquiring internships in Finance (Pittsburgh Public Theater), Ticket Operations (Pittsburgh Penguins), and Marketing (Pittsburgh Steelers), as well as obtaining a part-time position as an Inside Sales Representative (Pittsburgh Penguins), I still hold a part-time job at the local ice rink, Ice Castle, as well as volunteer with the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, Mario Lemieux Foundation, and functioned as a Corporate Hospitality volunteer at the 2016 U.S. Open Championship. With that being said, my next goal is to attend Graduate School and obtain my MBA in Business Analytics. With my professional background, I know I would be a positive asset to any organization, especially in the systematic business operations of professional sports. Having experience in Finance, Ticketing, and Marketing, an MBA in Business Analytics will only further enhance my transferable skills, thereby making me even more marketable as a professional candidate in the process.
“There is no end to education. It is not that you read a book, pass an examination, and finish with education. The whole of life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning.” –Jiddu Krishnamurti