Brief Bio:
A native of Pittsburgh, I am a commuter student starting my senior year at Point Park University. I am a Sports, Arts, and Entertainment Management major, and Accounting minor. This spring, I was inducted into the PPU chapter of the Alpha Chi Honor Society. In addition, I belong to the PPU Honors Student Organization and have made the Dean’s list every semester. I take pride in being a former ballet dancer turned sports enthusiast.
I started out as a volunteer with the Pittsburgh Center for Sports Media and Marketing my freshman year and am now a member of the Student Advisory Board. Beginning my college career at Point Park University, I have volunteered for the Mario Lemieux Foundation and Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, as well as held internship positions in the Finance Department with Pittsburgh Public Theater and Ticket Operations with the Pittsburgh Penguins. This past year, I also attended the Major League Baseball Diversity Business Summit in Phoenix, Arizona. Recently, my internship with the Penguins has led to a Part-Time, Inside Sales Representative position where I actively prospect sales leads and generate fan interest for the team’s current Stanley Cup Playoff run.
Thinking long-term, after graduation, I would love to get a job working in Business Analytics for a sports league. While many leagues have now incorporated analytics into their team operations, not as many have fully developed them in front office operations. I learned throughout my college career that grassroots initiatives are tactfully planned out to seamlessly integrate youth-based programs to further enhance their fan development. Personally, my background and experiences are in hockey. I work at Ice Castle, a local ice rink, as well as a former intern, and now a Part-Time Ticket Sales Rep in professional hockey, so my dream would be to create a Business Strategy and Analytics department for the National Hockey League.
“Words are subjective, but numbers never lie: they’re always the facts.”
That mantra is how I live my life.
Why I Joined the Center:
I chose to join the Student Advisory Board with the Pittsburgh Center for Sports Media and Marketing simply because I want to work in the sports industry. It’s a great opportunity and one of the best decisions I’ve made. Given the chance to network with top executives in the business, it’s priceless.
What I Like Most About the Center:
Every single guest speaker the Center brings in is amazing. While the sports world may seem broad, it’s actually very small. Giving other students the opportunity to hear from industry professionals—outside the general classroom—is a great learning experience. There are so many career outlets for young, job seekers who’ve just graduated, and sometimes I don’t think they realize how much is out there. The Center prides itself in giving these young adults that chance.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions! [email protected]
Jessica Martin, Senior; SAEM Major, Accounting Minor
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA