On Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, 12 SCTCC Collegiate DECA Members/Marketing Sales Management students had the incredible opportunity to attend the Timberwolves & Lynx Career in Sports event held on the practice court of the Timberwolves and Lynx teams.
It was an unforgettable day of learning, networking, and team bonding. Organized by instructor Becky Shand, the event offered valuable insights from professionals in the sports industry and a chance to experience the excitement of a live Timberwolves game.
The day began with a panel discussion featuring several executives from the Timberwolves and Lynx organizations. They shared their stories and advice for succeeding in marketing, sales, and management. One message that stood out to many of us was the importance of networking. As Lucy Brenny learned, “Networking is a key aspect to creating connections with people in your career field.” It was clear from the panelists' stories that building relationships can open doors to unexpected opportunities.
Another powerful takeaway came from Matteo Mangili, who reflected on advice from one of the Timberwolves Vice Presidents, “We do not have to turn down opportunities that at that moment do not seem related to our goals, because we never know what we can get out of them.” This reminded us to stay open-minded and embrace experiences that might lead to growth in ways we didn’t expect.
The panel also emphasized the importance of preparation and perseverance. Samantha Lawson shared her main takeaway from the event: “The steps to succeeding in marketing, sales, and management are to listen, prepare and practice, build up your network, and go for it!” Hearing these actionable steps gave us a clear idea of how to approach our goals.
Marta Donadoni added that the executives’ stories of resilience and determination were inspiring, showing us that success often requires hard work and persistence.
One unique part of the event was seeing how much effort goes into running a professional game. Sharda Ram shared her excitement stating, “It was great to observe the behind-the-scenes operations that make the game run smoothly, from staff coordination to promotional activities and media relations.”
Learning about this side of the sports world gave us a new appreciation for how much teamwork it takes to deliver an amazing fan experience in such an amazing venue like the Target Center.
Vanessa Santana was inspired by how much the professionals love what they do. Connecting with people, building trust, and creating memorable experiences were common themes. Santana shared what she learned was how important it is to step out of your comfort zone, stay open to new opportunities, and always make a good first impression.
After the panel discussion and speed networking event, students attended a Timberwolves game. It was the perfect way to wrap up the day, and we had so much fun cheering on the team and bonding as a group.
Kaden Kadlec summed it up well, “Take advantage of every opportunity available to you as a student while setting yourself up for the future is crucial to your success after graduation.”
This event taught us so much about the sports industry and the qualities needed to thrive in our careers. We are incredibly grateful to our instructor, Becky Shand, for organizing such a meaningful experience. It reminded us to stay determined, embrace opportunities, and continue building connections that will help us achieve our goals.