The career fair was the first event of its kind for students in the university’s sports management programs and allowed undergraduate and graduate students to network with potential employers in the area and helped connect students with potential internship and employment opportunities.
May 10, 2023
Representatives from the university’s athletics department made contact with students at the fair.
Jake Bronson ’23, ’24 MS is hoping for a career in sports administration. He is excited about the myriad of opportunities in the sports industry in the New Haven area and recently had the opportunity to learn more at the university’s first sports industry careers fair.
Bronson, who will start college this fall with a master’s degree in sports management, was among the many Chargers who recently attended the career fair. Having already secured a summer position at Yale Campus Recreation and an internship at Yale Athletics, he was keen to explore more opportunities in the field.
“Being in New Haven gives us a lot of opportunities to work in the area because there’s so much nearby,” he said. “This career fair was great for students hoping to break into the industry.”
“A lot of excitement among the students”
The event, hosted by the Sports Management program in conjunction with the University’s Career Development Center, enabled undergraduate and graduate students at various points in their academic careers to network with representatives from a wide range of employers in the field.
Former marine biologist Corrine Bartos ’26 was keen to focus on networking at the career fair. A freshman, Bartos, who contacted Yale Athletics at the event, was encouraged by the many opportunities available and eager to connect with potential employers and industry professionals.
Vincent Tremulot ’25 (right) and Michael Calabrese ’21 at the career fair.
“They want us to keep in touch so they get to know us,” said Bartos, who is now studying sports management. “That way we’re good candidates when younger students are older and we don’t have to wait to get our foot in the door.”
More than a dozen employers visited the university to meet with students and make connections that could lead to possible internships and part-time or full-time positions. These included the university’s own track and field department, as well as local university track and field departments and professional sports teams in the area.
“I sense a great deal of excitement from the students I’ve interacted with,” said Brendan O’Halloran, ticketing revenue and community manager at Oak View Group, representing the XL Center and Hartford Wolf Pack Business Operations. “I’ve had a lot of great conversations with them. The students I met and their interests varied greatly. They asked good questions and it was exciting to connect with them.”
Yale University Athletics was among the potential employers represented at the career fair.
“The Impact of the University of New Haven”
The career fair, which also featured representatives from the Connecticut Sun, New York Mets and Firecracker Sports, also attracted many University of New Haven professors who offered their support to the students. JW Stewart, a resident practitioner in the university’s Department of Sports Management who helped organize the event, was excited to see what it would create for students.
“The possibilities are huge,” he said. “It’s about connecting students with employers. Networking is so important. The sooner they can do it, the better.”
For Bronson, the sports management student, this event was an important step in helping him achieve his career goals. He hopes to work in a high school or college athletic department and is grateful for the opportunity to socialize.
“The fact that all of these employers came here to talk to us shows the influence of the University of New Haven,” he said. “I came for sports management and this event lives up to the university’s reputation.”
The career fair brought together students and potential employers.
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