Passion for local sports teams is a pillar of the Greater Philadelphia community, and it’s permeated the bright minds of high school students who are beginning to consider their future career paths. While Head Coach Jim Curtin’s squad spent last week gearing up for their postseason push, students from four local high schools visited Subaru Park, preparing for their own next steps by participating in Work in Sports Camp presented by Widener University in partnership with the Philadelphia Union.
Students from Strath Haven, Marple Newtown, Berks Catholic, and Neumann Goretti with an interest in pursuing a career in sports experienced a day of career exploration in the field of athletics and sport management at Philadelphia Union’s campus, learning what it’s like to work for a professional soccer team for the day.
Their schedule featured tours of the stadium, locker room, and front office facilities, plus exclusive opportunities to network with current Union professionals throughout multiple departments. The students heard from staff from across the organization, including public relations, social media, team operations, ticket sales, fan services, and more.
In addition to question and answer sessions with Union staff, students learned more about the different pathways to achieving a career in sports from Widener University representatives like Dr. Jennifer Reinwald, an Assistant Professor in the school’s Department of Media and Communication. She and her colleagues shared information about Widener’s courses and resources, while delving into the benefits of studying at a school in proximity to a major sports city and just a six minute drive to a Major League Soccer stadium.
“The Philadelphia Union’s partnership with Widener University and local high schools is an incredibly unique opportunity to give students a chance to consider both college and their potential careers from multiple perspectives,” Reinwald said.
“Going behind the scenes at the Union creates a clear picture of what it means to work in sports and gives students multiple pathways to follow to achieve their dream career at the high school, college, and post-college stages of their education. Philadelphia has a strong connection with its sports teams and the opportunity to go behind the scenes with the Union only helps strengthen that sense of community.”
