...and other questions received exciting responses at the dna Smart Solutions career counselling session with the International Institute of Sports Management
dna Smart Solutions recently conducted a career counselling session in association with the International Institute of Sports Management (IISM) at Jai Hind College. The session on careers in Sports Management drew an enthusiastic response with sessions being conducted from morning to noon for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
DAY OF DELIBERATIONS
Abhijit Dabhade, Chief Operating Officer, IISM, took the attendees on a journey through the diverse sections that comprise a course on Sports Management. Dabhade asked if the participants were aware of the term Sportainment—a coinage led by the nuptial of ‘Sports’ and ‘Entertainment’.
Recalling the phenomenal growth in the consumption of sports over the last decade, Dabhade ticked off various sub-sectors in the field such as, Sports Facility Management, Event Management, Sports Sales and Marketing, Sports Talent and Celebrity Management, Sports Media and Production, among others. Asked to name the different Indian sporting leagues currently in action, the youngsters went on to list PKL (Pro Kabaddi League) and ISL (Indian Super League); the obviously familiar abbreviations flying thick and fast as the full scale and potential of the emerging industry made its significance felt.
STUDENT SPEAK
The general session was followed by one-on-one discussions with the counsellors. While some inquired about the courses, most sought assurance to take the “leap of passion”.
I came in hoping to know more about the different areas in Sports Management. I used to look at cricket as the big daddy of sports, at least when it comes to generating money, but now I know otherwise—the scope’s much wider. I am looking at the MBA course.
—Nikhil Srinivasan,
Student
I am a commerce student, but sports has always been my passion. We usually believe that a sports enthusiast can pursue his passion by being either a sportsman or a coach; it is good to know that there are many other options!
—Anton D’souza,
Student
I am the owner of a marital arts school in Bhayander (E). I enjoy passing on my self-defence skills to the young and old, but I do not have the academic expertise to expand my fitness business. Perhaps the PGPM degree can give a formal edge to my existing skill-set?
—Nitin Pandit,
Sports Entrepreneur
Young students are most often wary of taking a step on the unknown path. They worry if the industry will offer what it promises. However, the current lot is much more informed. When I started a course in sports management, my batch mates and I weren’t even aware of concepts like sports media
—Juthika Mehta,
Alumni, IISM
BIG ON CURIOSITY; BIG ON COURSES
Having received a glimpse of the various career opportunities available, students posed queries to the counsellors. Nilesh Kulkarni, Founder-Director, IISM, got down to business, punctuating a volley of essential information with anecdotes from his cricketing days.
IISM offers courses to both UG and PG aspirants. The three-year BBA and two-year MBA programmes are affiliated to the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University. It also offers an autonomous PGPM degree. Accompanying parents were concerned whether a diploma certification had the same level of professional acceptance as a degree course. The counsellors explained that a sound academic skill set and individual expertise mattered the most. “If your skills are in place, nobody is going to discriminate based on the number of years you put into your degree,” assured Dabhade.
Kulkarni cited the 2014 FICCI vision document while stating that there was an “opportunity in the challenge” of meeting the massive manpower required to handle the expanse of the industry by 2022. Participants seemed roused by the sheer magnitude of estimates given, driving home the point that sports management is a sunrise industry. “I had no idea that the IPL had 159 sponsors,” reflected a student. “Forget the IPL, what about the sponsors for all the other leagues?” quipped another.
ROUTE TO A HIGH SCORE
IISM’s module blends general management subjects with their applications to the sports industry. The institute also hosts Friday workshops and activities with significant sports management personalities to help students build industry connections. Not only that, it offers 8-10 days of live experience in national sports events, arranges for 100 per cent internships to test classroom skills, and facilitates placements as per student performance at the end of the year. Not surprising then, that queries about SMAT, IISM’s official entrance exam, were in plenty.
SPORTS IS LIFE... AND MORE
Kulkarni teased the young minds by questioning them as to why they wanted to pursue sports management? “Sports has been my life since I was a kid,” shot someone from the front row. A backbencher replied, “Because I want my passion to turn into a rewarding profession. Sports Management can give me that professional success, right?” Kulkarni smiled and asked the parents present, “Now how many from your generation can vouch for this experience? A passion for a profession?” The question, like most of his others, was clearly rhetorical.
Connect: www.iismworld.com
COUNSELLORS
The sports industry here is only a decade old and still in its sunrise phase. It is natural for parents to be anxious. However, what is a good indicator is the participation of women candidates. They are not only aware of general management subjects, but are keen on pursuing a specialization in Sports Management. This is not only about our desire to open avenues to them, but about an increasing demand from the corporate sector.
— Abhijit Dabhade,
COO, IISM
Not many are fortunate to find passion in our profession. But through sports management, aspirants can strike the right balance. Youngsters have to arm themselves, read newspapers as it gives free knowledge about both sports and finance, amongst other things. Most of all, they must go out and play, sustain their love for the sport. The rest can be learnt.
—Nilesh Kulkarni,
Founder, IISM
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