26 Mar What happens when your studies and your passions collide?
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Many students would do anything to build careers that align with what they love, and it’s truly inspiring to see when someone actually gets to live that dream. It makes you feel like anything is possible, like your dreams don’t have to stay just dreams. After all, who wouldn’t want to work in a space surrounded by what they enjoy most?
Today’s inspiration comes from Mason Jennings , a sophomore at the University of Oregon , whose ambitions lie at the intersection of business and sports.
“As a passionate sports enthusiast, I want to provide everything I can to the sports world,” his LinkedIn bio reads. “My ultimate goal is to play a meaningful role in a professional sports organization, creating strategies that make strong connections between team personnel, fans, and community all while doing my part in helping the team win.”
Gaining experience early can only benefit you
Even as a sophomore, Mason keeps his eyes firmly on the prize. While pursuing a business degree at the University of Oregon Lundquist College of Business, he is already actively gaining practical experience in the sports world. After all, you don’t have to wait until your junior or senior year to start building your career.
For starters, he has taken the opportunity to serve as an ambassador for his university’s Athletic Department, contributing to the Football Operations and Recruiting Committee. He is also involved in a local academy in Oregon, supporting operations as needed. Mason is proving that experience can be gained anytime, and the earlier you start, the better.
Mason flew halfway across the world for an internship in Barcelona!
It doesn’t stop there, too. This year, he has taken his career global, securing an extraordinary internship abroad in Barcelona, Spain! Where better to gain hands-on experience than in a city where football is more than a game but is deeply embedded in the culture?
What a hands on internship looks like
Through Absolute Internship, Mason landed this international opportunity with B1 Sports Academy , an institution that provides athletes with professional football training, educational support, and personal development programs. He has been sharing regular updates on his LinkedIn page, consistently describing his time in Barcelona as an “amazing learning experience.”
Landing an internship that aligns with your interests is one thing, though, and actually applying your classroom learning in the real world is another. For Mason, this internship has offered hands-on exposure as a scout, attending training sessions and matches to observe players and prepare detailed reports. It doesn’t get more practical than that!
“This [internship] abroad program has allowed me to focus entirely on hands-on learning with B1 Sports Academy. Being able to evaluate players consistently and see the game from a scouting perspective has helped me develop a much deeper understanding of player development and performance analysis,” Mason wrote in one of his posts.
Football in Barcelona, of all places!
What makes Mason’s internship even more impressive is the context: he is gaining football-related experience in Spain, a country where football is a way of life. The exposure to top-level football culture alone is invaluable for someone pursuing a career in the sports industry.
“Living in a new country and navigating a different culture while working in soccer every day has pushed me to adapt quickly, stay organized, and learn on the fly.”
On top of that, living in a different country is an experience all on its own. Adapting to a new culture, building a network abroad, and learning to navigate daily life in a foreign environment all also contribute to his growth.
“Experiencing the game in a soccer-first environment like Spain has been eye-opening and has given me a new appreciation for how deeply the sport is embedded in everyday life here,” Mason concluded.
If you’re wondering how to turn your passion into real-world experience, take a page from Mason’s journey. Explore internships abroad, find ways to apply classroom learning to your interests, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. The intersection of your studies and passion could be just one opportunity away.
Send us a message and we’ll help you get started on your own journey!
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