By Larissa Gojdycz | Photos by Kathy Hillegonds and Randall Spriggs
When I first read about the “Behind the Scenes with Chicago Sports Organizations” course, the only thing I could think of was sign me up. Then I realized that the class was one week long, Monday through Friday, so would require me to take time off from work.
The class attends a Blackhawks game at the United Center. (Photo by Randall Spriggs)
Being employed full-time while attending the MBA program at the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business is not uncommon for many students. Balancing work with graduate school is not easy. But after thinking it over, and realizing I could complete an otherwise 10-week course in a one-week time frame, I knew it would be worth it.
The week-long course ended up offering so much more than what I had expected. It was jam-packed with events ranging from speaking to a panel of DePaul alumni who work in sports to watching the Blue Demons men’s basketball team beat Texas Tech in overtime. When coworkers questioned why I took time off from work to go to class, I questioned why they wouldn’t take the time for a class like this.
Here are some highlights from the week:
Jacqui Lorio, director of Guest Services for the Chicago Bulls, speaks to the students. (Photo by Randall Spriggs)
Meeting Chicago Sports Teams
Our class met and visited five major Chicago sports teams. That’s right, we went to the Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox offices and stadiums, where we met with the employees of each team and received tours of the facilities. One of my favorite tours was of the American Airlines 1914 Club at Wrigley Field, led by Cubs Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing Colin Faulkner. A few years ago when the Cubs wanted to increase revenue without being able to add seats, they dug out the dirt from under the seats in the stadium and created three premier clubs. The 1914 Club was a sight to see. The Cubs designed the room to replicate the era of the 1910/1920s, with gold and sleek accents. The Chicago Cubs offers the 1914 Club to ticket holders in the section behind home plate, where they can access drinks and food and buy exclusive Cubs gear only available to that suite. It was amazing to see how a company was able to think out of the box to increase revenue without adding seats to a stadium.
Students visit the Chicago headquarters of rEvolution, a sports marketing and media agency. (Photo by Kathy Hillegonds)
Visiting Sports Agencies and Companies
Another component of the sports industry we learned about was sports agencies and companies. Our class visited three agencies that deal directly with sports teams or companies that have sports sponsorships and/or relationships, like Gatorade, which was one of the companies we visited. We got to see the behind-the-scenes of how these agencies execute marketing campaigns for brands that want a sports integration or experience. Our class ended the week with a brainstorming session with the agency 4FRONT, which gave us some hands-on experience with the work they do and some interesting insights on how they do it.
Networking
Whether it was with the sports teams, agencies, brands or even fellow students in the class, meeting and networking with people was a definite highlight of this course. Over the week we met with more than 70 professionals in the sports space and were able to talk one-on-one with whomever we wanted to. It was invaluable being able to connect and chat with everyone. At the end of the week we had a round-table discussion panel with DePaul alumni who currently work in sports: Kacie Dohrmann of Northwestern Athletics; Mike Gordon of Learfield/Northwestern Sports Properties; Nick Bennett of the Blackhawks and Tim Weaver of the Wolves. We also met with three Kellstadt Graduate School of Business alumni, who were once students in this course: Max McNutt of Marketing Werks, Roger Uy of DePaul Athletics, and Graeme Jones of 4Front.
The class visits the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. (Photo by Kathy Hillegonds)
On top of making connections with people during the site visits, I made many connections with students in the class. Many of us were in the same boat with our careers, so we were all very excited to be exposed to the number of people we got to meet as well as make connections among ourselves.
These highlights are just a small peek into the amazing and productive week I had with the “Behind the Scenes with Chicago Sports Organizations” course with Andy Clark, director of the sports management program at the Driehaus College of Business. The days were filled to the brim and we were always on the go, but the experience is something that will stick with me for the rest of my MBA journey, as well as career.
Larissa Gojdycz graduated from Marist College in New York with a bachelor’s degree in advertising. She works full-time as a media manager for a large retail company and is pursuing her MBA, with a focus on entrepreneurship, at the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. Originally from northern New Jersey, she is still adjusting to Chicago winters, even though she’s lived in Chicago for five years.
By Dana Fitzmorris
Kellstadt’s Fall 2019 Career Conference on Nov. 2 did not disappoint. This event is hosted twice a year by the Career Management team at Kellstadt to provide an opportunity for students to network with business leaders in the Chicago community and gain career insights through workshops and panel discussions.
The conference kicked off with keynote speaker (and DePaul alumnus) Martin McGovern who talked about the realities of job searching. Martin is a coach at Career Therapy who helps clients with the emotional and promotional aspects of professional development. In his talk, Martin provided three helpful tips for graduate students when looking for jobs:
1. Focus on meeting people
The most valuable use of your time when job searching is connecting with individuals already working in your desired industry. Not only does this broaden your network, but also helps you understand job responsibilities with different companies. Most people are happy to share their experiences and help you learn.
2. Leverage your existing network
When applying for jobs, submitting your resume online should not be your only step. It is crucial to utilize your network and meet professionals face-to-face because personal relationships are typically what help you secure a job. Only 20% of people land a job from just an opening found online.
3. Maximize your use of LinkedIn
Many students create LinkedIn profiles once and never login again. This is a mistake. LinkedIn has extensive search capabilities to help find mutual connections with those working for a certain company or industry. By using the People Search feature on LinkedIn and expanding all filter options, you can generate search results based on granular criteria like past employers, geographic location and specialty services.
The second part of the conference involved three Q&A panel breakout sessions, where students could choose whichever session they found most applicable. The first session focused on using your graduate degree to advance your current career, the second talked about changing your career and the third was centered on careers in consulting. The panelists were honest and open with their responses to our questions, helping paint a clear picture about their industry and career expectations.
My favorite part of the Career Conference was receiving advice from the panelists about what grad students can be doing right now to prepare for the job market. Gaining applicable experience through internships, practicing interview skills with sample case problems and behavioral questions, and using DePaul alumni as resources were all tips they offered.
Kellstadt’s Career Conference helped me think about my career goals and develop a plan to reach them. One of my biggest takeaways was the importance of your network when job searching. The event supported this notion, as we were able to connect with Chicago employers and DePaul alumni at the breakout sessions. The Career Conference encouraged me to continue growing my professional network, and I am already looking forward to next year’s event.
Dana Fitzmorris graduated from Texas Christian University with a bachelor’s degree in finance and management. She is currently pursuing an MBA at DePaul, with a focus on entrepreneurship. She is co-founder of Kellstadt’s Women in Business student organization.
Now that the fall quarter has ended, Kellstadt students have the opportunity to enjoy the winter intersession before returning to campus in the new year. Some students opt to take a course during the winter intersession while others take the time to relax and recharge. Regardless of academic plans, Kellstadt students can still be spotted enjoying all that Chicago has to offer. Here are the top five activities where DePaul students can be found during this holiday season:
1. “Cohortsgiving” | The members of the full-time cohort brought together homemade dishes – traditional and non-traditional – to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Two full turkeys were enjoyed among the celebration. In a toast, a full-time student noted being grateful for the newfound friendships within the cohort.
2. Chicago Holiday Events
- Christkindlmarket | This Chicago favorite includes an arrangement of traditional, festive German shopping and cuisine…all located in Downtown Chicago. Inspired by the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, enjoy a bit of Deutschland this holiday season.
- Lincoln Park ZooLights | See the Lincoln Park Zoo in a whole new light. Through Jan. 6, festive Christmas lights will be on display throughout the zoo.
- Catching the CTA Holiday Train | On the way to any of the above events, DePaul students will be chasing this festive train based on the schedule. Look for the “Season’s Greetings from the CTA” sign and catch a ride on one of the jovial cars.
3. DePaul Athletics Events | As avid sports fans, a number of current students plan to attend DePaul games during December. The Blue Demons men’s basketball team face Northwestern in a crosstown match-up at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8.
4. Professional Reflection | Students can use the time off from classes to set themselves up for professional success in the remaining school year. A number of students plan to polish résumés and LinkedIn profiles as they reflect on New Year’s resolutions related to leadership, career development and professional goals. A few other ways to make the most of your time off include:
5. Rest, Relax, & Recharge | Make sure to also indulge in some R&R and self-care. Try a workout at The Ray Meyer Fitness and Recreation Center or a walk on the Chicago Lakefront Path.
Happy holidays!
Making the decision to return to school can often be a difficult one, and even more so when a student chooses to attend an academic institution abroad. Three Kellstadt MBA students came together to reflect on their academic year as international students and the connections they formed with their classmates and faculty. Priscilla Mwaura, Shweta Gujrathi and Jing Liu selected DePaul University based on its strong academic reputation, but these students gained more than just an education–they discovered a community.
Mwaura chose to relocate from her home country of Kenya in part due to Chicago’s diverse economy and reputation as a top financial city. Kellstadt offered not only AACSB accredited classes, but also a faculty made up of industry experts and entrepreneurs well connected in the Chicago business community. Both were vital to Mwaura, who wanted to ensure that the MBA program she selected was reputable if she were to leave Kenya.
Jing Liu
Kellstadt’s financial reputation also attracted Liu. “Kellstadt has provided an international perspective,” Liu says. “Not only have I learned about the American economy, but also the economies of Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom through a study abroad trip.” For Liu, this professional knowledge has been invaluable. Liu continues, “I’ve been able to gain experience in some of the top financial industries and network with DePaul’s vast alumni network, helping to position me closer to achieving my career goals.”
Mwaura agrees that her first year at Kellstadt has broadened her outlook on global business, sometimes in surprising ways.“Some classes, such as MGT 584: Consulting Skills, developed my skill set in areas I knew little about before,” Mwaura says. “The learning environment at DePaul fosters teamwork and networking. Forming and sustaining these skills and relationships will directly impact the direction my career takes.”
Gujrathi found value not only in the academic resources, but also in the relationships she formed within the Kellstadt community. “The admissions team became my partners in the process even before I enrolled at DePaul, and I continue to receive the same support from the faculty and staff,” Gujrathi says. “Having someone to stand by you is particularly important for international students as they face various challenges in a new country.”
It has been a year full of education and networking for the three, and they look forward to finishing their degrees in 2019. With the support of the Kellstadt community they are positioned for success, whether in Chicago, or abroad.
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Contributors:
- Shweta Gujrathi is pursuing her MBA in Marketing full-time at Kellstadt Graduate School of Business
- Priscillia Mwaura is pursuing her MBA in Finance full-time at Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.
- Jing Liu is pursuing her MBA in Finance full-time at Kellstadt Graduste School of Business
Kellstadt students begin their MBA/MS journey for a variety of reasons; they may want to continue their studies right after a bachelor’s degree, advance in their careers or transition into a new career. Often, life as a graduate student means that there are work, family and community commitments. While it could be possible to earn an MBA or MS degree interacting with professors and fellow students only in course lectures, students can translate education to experience by getting involved. To enhance your MBA and MS experience at DePaul, Kellstadt provides numerous opportunities to get involved, such as career-building resources, graduate student organizations and community service.
Career Building Resources
The Kellstadt Career Management Center (CMC) provides networking and career counseling that can be developed in parallel to the academics of your degree. Also, the CMC offers a variety of workshops, as well as résumé review and mock interview opportunities.
Student Organizations
There are many Kellstadt graduate student organizations related to each graduate focus of study that you can join. Joining a student organization is a great way to meet fellow students, professors and alumni. Kellstadt’s student organizations allow you to put theory into action while networking with professors and alumni who are experts in their fields. From Kellstadt Marketing Group’s Case Competition to the DePaul Society for Human Resource Management’s “Innovation in HR” panel discussion there are countless opportunities to get involved.
Volunteerism
One of the biggest advantages of DePaul is that it is located in Chicago, providing many opportunities to become involved in community service. I’ve had the opportunity to work with two accounting- and finance-related local organizations: Ladder Up, which provides tax preparation assistance, and Operation HOPE, a nonprofit that brings financial literacy to younger generations. There are also several community organizations such as the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Care for Real, as well as other local shelters and religious organizations. DePaul also hosts Vincentian Service Day, an annual tradition that brings together students, staff, faculty and alumni to participate in a day of service with more than 50 community partners in the Chicagoland area and cities around the world.
Becoming involved will help tie in your academic experience to your original goals and make it more meaningful. It may even confirm your decision to pursue a particular concentration of study.
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Author: Sabrina Wing is pursuing her MBA part-time at the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.
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