Kaitlin Straits

Class of 2013

Current Position: San Diego Padres Representative, Membership Development

"The Recreation and Sport Business Track provides the tools necessary to succeed in the sports business world by teaching students the importance of networking and how to network effectively.   Thanks to the faculty’s experience running major recreation programs and working at the highest levels of professional and intercollegiate sports, students are provided with incredible industry insight and direction as they prepare to enter the field. I was recently given the    opportunity through the Recreation and Sport Business Program to participate in a practicum with the San Diego Padres.  I was hired by the Padres following the practicum, and I credit the knowledge and tools I gained through the Recreation and Sports Business Program as the reason I was given this exciting opportunity."  

Andrew Quillin

Class of 2012

Current Position: Iowa Cubs Stadium Operations

"The Recreation and Sport Business program at the University of Iowa prepared me for a career in the sports industry through practical experiences in the classroom as well as exposure to industry professionals through practicum course opportunities.  Specialized networks cultivated by program instructors provide an exclusive union between students and industry professionals."

Vijay Kalra

Class of 2013

Current Position: National Collegiate Scouting Association

“On a side note, the scout position usually requires to have some prior sales experience.  Although I lacked that, I was really able to utilize the San Diego practicum to further explain how that experience correlated to potential sales practices that they utilize.  Reflecting on the past two months of job searching, I never could of imagined how imperative that San Diego experience was for me and my career.  We did so many things that truly do correlate to what employers are looking for, and my advice to future practicum students is to acquire and learn from every single thing they do while they are out there.  Things such as the surveying we did, or the phone calls we made to potential sponsors are things that I didn't even highlight on my resume but I was able to talk about to help make my interview more attractive.”