By: julia martinez, Living Sport glasgow ‘19 Alumna & client service representative at indianapolis motor speedway
In college, the sports industry was a sector of the events industry that immediately sparked my interest. This was due to not only my love for athletics but also the diversity in the experiences the industry allows. I was able to explore these options through a variety of volunteer opportunities and professional internships that I felt would make me a competitive candidate during my full-time job search. However, with graduation complete and many full-time job application submissions later, I eventually felt burnt out and slightly discouraged. Therefore, I altered my approach and instead began looking for opportunities that would allow for a competitive edge in a sea of job applications.
After a great deal of reflection on my career goals and even more research into what was available to recent graduates like myself, I eventually discovered Living Sport. I reviewed the official website and connected with Living Sport alumni to better understand what the program had to offer, which encouraged me to immediately apply, interview, and accept a spot with the 2019 Glasgow team. In no time, I was at the departure gate in Newark, New Jersey with 22 other sport industry students and professionals from around the United States eagerly waiting for what had become an opportunity of a lifetime.
Within our 10-day excursion, we joined the staff of Tough Mudder Scotland under the guidance of the Tough Mudder International staff members. One of my main responsibilities was assisting the Senior Workforce Supervisor, Corrina (Coco), with the Tough Mudder volunteer check-in station. Due to previous internships involving volunteer coordination, I felt extremely fulfilled in how I was able to best work with Coco to achieve a smooth volunteer check-in process. We made our own fun to work through the long setup day grind too! She welcomed us with the kindest heart and the greatest patience while teaching our team how Tough Mudder traditionally organizes events.
Julia (left), fellow Glasgow ‘19 teammate Anna Audler (center), and Tough Mudder Staffer, Coco (right).
As I continue to think back on my time at the Tough Mudder, the value of working with others from around the world allowed me the opportunity to further develop my life-long team building skills. I quickly developed relationships with not only my fellow Living Sport participants but also the diverse Tough Mudder staff like Coco, who was born in Germany and works in the UK, in order to successfully execute a 9,000-athlete event.
When we weren’t at the Tough Mudder, our Glasgow ‘19 team was exploring Scotland both far and wide. Some of my favorite locations include Glasgow, Stirling, and Edinburgh due to the rich history of sports, entertainment, and culture. The architecture of various castles and monuments were what I couldn’t help but admire from the coffee café in Old Town. The quaint yet charming character of alleyways like Ashton Lane and Buchanan Street were a dream. The rolling green fields of the Princes Street Gardens are what many wanderlust about.
A view above the city from Edinburgh Castle.
My adventures provided a humble kind of happiness in the purest way possible because Scotland allowed for my first experience outside the United States. Therefore, I learned how to adapt to various social norms and cultures at an expedited pace. In doing so, I created bonds with individuals from around the world that I have ensured to maintain and will continue to do so for many years to come.
As a young professional looking to revitalize my enthusiasm in my full-time job search and refresh my passion for the sports industry, Living Sport has allowed me the rare opportunity to recognize my comfort zone and go beyond that boundary! I learned to never allow myself to become stagnant and consistently work progressively. Seek the opportunities that will allow meeting new people, learning new cultures, and expanding your perspective of the world. It’s in those moments where I have felt lost that I have found exactly what I needed to better myself.
For that reason, Living Sport has been a piece of the puzzle that has transformed my career path and acted as a huge proponent in leading me to my dream job at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Additionally, I am currently a Living Sport Program Ambassador and will also travel on another program in 2020! I look forward to networking with and encouraging other young professionals to explore what challenges them as Living Sport has done for me.
The Glasgow ‘19 team at Celtic Park, home of Celtic FC.
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