• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 11, 2025

In Their Own Words: A Letter to Aspiring Sports Professionals, “If You Know What You Want, Go For It”

Front Office Sports is proud to present the second letter in our new series “In Their Own Words” in which we will have professionals we have interviewed before write letters to aspiring sports professionals to build upon their interview on a more personal level. We hope you enjoy this new series and are able to gain even more insight into what it is like to be a sports professional in the 21st century.

“If You Know What You Want, Go For It”

Most people cringe when answering the question “what do you want to do when you grow up?” or, “what career will you pursue in the future?” Fortunately, I have never had that experience. Growing up, even as a kid, I always knew my passion was in sports and that I would eventually work in the industry. In what capacity, I certainly didn’t know until a (somewhat) older age. However, following my response to that question, I would get the typical reactions — “You’ll eventually change your mind,” “circumstances will change,” or my favorite, “no one knows what they want to do with their life at such a young age,” etc. etc. I’ve heard them all…

People would actually be surprised by the fact that I could confidently answer the “future career goal” question. Determination pays off, I suppose, as I now am building my career in sports marketing and sponsorship in the junior hockey world.

My previous volunteer and extra curricular involvements all centered around sports, although my first real industry experience came during a summer student-position with the Western Hockey League (WHL). I was going into my final year of University and knew I needed some work experience under my belt before graduating. I was extremely picky with the jobs I had applied to, but I was eventually hired by the WHL (there wasn’t even a job posting for the position I landed)!

During that summer I was tasked with creating reports to highlight our Leagues sponsorship delivery. I learned many new things, including evaluating our attendance reports, how to track sponsor impressions and most importantly, how to take all that information and present it in a meaningful way to display how corporations benefited from aligning with our sport.

Upon graduation, I was asked to return and assist with a few summer projects and reporting, similar to the things I had done the year prior. By August, I had a contract for the upcoming season; by May, I was hired full-time. Each day I am gaining new insights about the industry as a whole, but also learning about myself, and the type of leader I want to be in the future. Here are a few ‘take-a-ways’ I have learned in my short career, so far.

Build relationships & learn from everyone

The connections I have made and people I have met in my professional life are certainly relationships that I will appreciate for the rest of my life. The ability to connect and build strong partnerships with colleagues, clients, suppliers, (etc.) I would attest, is one of the most important characteristics that a sports business professional must have. Leaders are the ones who are humble, trusted and respected among their peers and I have been lucky to be surrounded and network with many people who display these characteristics on a daily basis.

There is a learning opportunity in each project you take on and with each person you meet. In my previous interview with Front Office Sports, one of my main learning lessons I described over my time in sports was: even in failure or frustration, there is always an opportunity to gain experience, learn from it and reflect on how you can improve. Communicate, be respectful and try to learn something from everyone you meet.

Don’t take opportunities for granted. There are hundreds of other people fighting for opportunities in the industry.

With so many opportunities to learn on the job and interact with other experienced professionals, each should be valued and never taken for granted. I have met many young professionals that have a sense of ‘entitlement’ in their work. If you go into your job with this mindset, I am certain that you won’t last very long. I truly believe that you must work hard for everything — always earned, never given. With the competitiveness of landing a job in the sport industry, you have to prove your worth each day and go above and beyond your employer’s expectations. Delivering results in the present and proving your future-worth will get you to the next step. Invest in yourself, be unique and put your best foot forward each day, before someone else replaces you.

If you know what you want, go for it

Finally, tying it all back to my starting point: if you know what you want, go for it. If you’re unsure, find a mentor or a coach to help you find your purpose. After all these years my desire to make an impact in the sports industry is still going strong. People may try to discourage you or set limitations on what you can achieve, yet nobody out there (even with all the experience in the world) can determine your goals, passion and drive for success. Do something each day to better develop yourself into the type of professional you want to be. Don’t let anyone change your mind if you feel you are on your path to success and dream big!

Best Wishes,

Ginelle Polini

If you are interested in connecting about anything mentioned above, please feel free to connect via Twitter, or LinkedIn.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Emmanuel Acho Set To Land Solo Show on Fox Sports

Rising star Emmanuel Acho is poised to land his own solo show at Fox Sports, say sources. He currently co-hosts FS1’s ‘Speak for Yourself.’
Sponsored

Varsity Partners Steps Up the Sponsorship Game with TBT Teams

TBT has thrived on innovation and forward thinking through its seven year existence —including being the first indoor U.S. sporting event to return to action during the pandemic with a 24 team bubble in Columbus,Ohio —brand sponsorships for teams was the next opportunity for growth.
Sponsored

Executive Roundtable: Putting Employees First

Best Employers in Sports, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Dolphins, remote work, diversity, inclusion, COVID-19, leadership, career development
Sponsored

Putting Fans At The Center of Your Data Strategy Post-COVID

The Portland Trail Blazers are one example of an organization offering a more personalized customer experience thanks to data.

Featured Today

Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
Gabby Thomas
exclusive
June 12, 2025

Grand Slam Track Cancels Los Angeles Meet As $30 Million Track Start-Up..

Sources close to Grand Slam insist money is not an issue.
June 13, 2025

What Rolapp’s NFL Exit Means—and the Top Candidates to Replace Him

NFL media boss Brian Rolapp leaves; the league hunts for his replacement.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
May 23, 2025

New LPGA Commissioner: Women’s Golf ‘Really Hard’ to Find on TV

Former PGA of America COO Craig Kessler will lead the tour.
Donald Trump, Nick Saban
May 22, 2025

Proposed Trump College Sports Commission May Never Happen

The White House is not sure of its plans.
May 15, 2025

PGA Championship Tees Off With Free Food, Record Hospitality Sales

General admission includes unlimited food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Jun 12, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; St. Louis Blues center Ivan Barbashev (49) and right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the Boston Bruins in game seven of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden
May 15, 2025

The 10 Biggest Stanley Cup Upsets of All Time

Since the 1984–1985 NHL season, 10 squads have defied the odds.