Compete in an emerging field.
The sports industry is extremely competitive, that’s why at Finlandia we give you the skills and knowledge to not only learn the ins and outs, but also business in general. The sports industry is a business, and understanding business principles gives students a competitive edge.
Finlandia encourages every student to find multiple internships, both locally and nationally. Internships are the best way to discover strengths and weaknesses within the sports industry. Working for multiple teams, both big and small will help students find their niche.
Leading the Pride talks with Austrian Lukas Alberer (’08). Alberer, a Sports Management major and former hockey player for the Lions, currently works at Johnson & Johnson-Ethicon in Austria as a Business Development Manager.
Listen as host Olivia Myers and Alberer talk about his decision to move to the United States to play hockey, the struggle of losing one’s identity as an athlete after college and his journey to finding a career he’s passionate about.
Given the nature of sports, the skills learned outside of the classroom are just as important as the ones learned in the classroom. One of the skills emphasized is networking. Meeting and helping others in the field will make all the difference when the time comes to job hunt. Finlandia faculty, alumni and local business owners are all great resources to connect with and willing to help.
"Find a way to get involved in sports. It could be at the collegiate or even youth level, but it is important to gain some experience to add to your resume. A degree is great, but internships, or any sort of involvement, can really separate someone from other candidates competing for similar positions."
“I was swayed to attend Finlandia because of the sports management program and I had classmates in Finland that spoke very highly of their experience while at Finlandia. I loved it. I found the curriculum to be very engaging, and it aligned to my interests better than I thought possible. I also made the Finlandia University’s NCAA Division III hockey team. Even though I mainly watched the games from a press box, I made some great friends, and those guys were a big part of my experience at Finlandia.”
“Just be open. You never know where life will take you and if some things don’t work out for you, don’t crumble. Get up, do it with Finlandia pride, with Lion pride, because things will come your way.”
Finlandia is home to 12 NCAA Division III sports. Students in the sports management concentration have the chance to work with these sports throughout the year, gaining valuable knowledge and skills directly related to college athletics. Some students who want to specialize in coaching have the option to assistant coach a team.
Experiential assignments give the students a learn-by-doing mentality during their time in the program. By engaging in assignments, students can learn the practical skills and industry trends that will be used not just professional sports, but in any sports setting such as; recreation, high school or collegiate level.
March 27, 2020
Students at Finlandia University with a business idea are highly encouraged to apply for the free MTEC SmartStart SmartZone program to develop essential entrepreneurial skills. The SmartZone’s approach is designed to educate and guide entrepreneurs through the process of validating and growing their idea. Upon completion of the program, students will have a more in-depth understanding of what it takes to create a manage a sustainable business.
“For Finlandia students or students in general, this program does a great job of […] Read More
February 18, 2020
On Thursday, February 13 the International School of Business hosted 60 students from six area high schools for a “Business Day at Finlandia.” The event, held at the Finnish American Heritage Center, was organized to introduce high school students to the world of business and to give them a taste of the opportunities that a career in business provides. Business Day at Finlandia was organized by the Finlandia chapter of Business Professionals of America (BPA) to coincide […] Read More
February 03, 2020
The Finlandia Business Professionals of America (BPA) is inviting all local high school and college students to attend its Business Day event on Thursday February 13 from 10am-2pm at the Finnish American Heritage Center.
The day is part of Business Professionals of America week, which seeks to raise awareness about BPA and encourage more students to become involved.
“BPA Week, February 10-14, is celebrated around the country where members of the Business Professionals of America host events where students can […] Read More
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Business Administration degree program, International School of Business graduates will be able to do the following:
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Dean, International School of Business Associate Professor of Management & Marketing
kevin.manninen@finlandia.eduAssistant Professor, Sports Management, ISB
Associate Director of Athletics
