Group photo of everyone who attended the presentation.
MISHA JABAL-ABADI / THE QUADRANGLE
Misha Jabal-Abadi, Asst. Production Editor
On Wednesday Feb. 11, Manhattan University (MU) alumni John Ryan O’Connor ’23 came back to campus to share his experience entering the sports and entertainment industry, while also providing helpful tips he has learned during his time.
O’Connor was a business major, and took electives in public relations, sports and entertainment. While he was sharing his experience entering the work field, he focused on the importance of networking, as well as maintaining connections, and how they can help students in the long run.
O’Connor, working at On Location, and serving as the project manager, catering, for the FIFA World Cup, spoke to the challenges of entering the sports and entertainment industry.
“Sports and entertainment, unfortunately, can be such an industry where it’s really hard to break into, but once you do, it’s a little bit easier to move around and find your path,” O’Connor said. “I just wanted to kind of emphasize that if you’re really passionate about breaking into the industry, reach out and connect.”
Back in 2022, O’Connor worked as a people operations intern for LeagueApps, a youth sports management software. Brian Litvack, CEO and co-founder at LeagueApps, as well as the former boss of O’Connor shared insight regarding networking and building connections on his personal LinkedIn account.
MISHA JABAL-ABADI / THE QUADRANGLE
“…Besides putting in the work with your summer internship, your relationship with team sports inspires the LeagueApps team…. So, we’re going to support your team and invite everyone else out here to join us,” Litvack posted.
Reflecting upon O’Connor’s message, Giavonna DeBono, a junior business management and global business major with a finance minor spoke to The Quadrangle about one of the parts that impacted her most during his presentation.
“John spoke about his experiences and advised everyone to never burn bridges,” DeBono said. The sports industry is very small and making a good impression could land you your dream job.”
O’Connor went on to emphasize that students may need assistance in finding a place to start networking. He suggested making these connections was through the alumni program at MU, which is in place to connect current students with alumni to help them as they enter the same or similar working field.
O’Connor elaborated on his experience as being a part of such a program back when he was an MU student himself.
“I was fortunate enough, my junior year, to get paired with an alumni, Michael Peche,” O’Connor said. “He works for Netflix, and he was great. He just sat down and let me talk his ear off and just listened to me. [He] kind of reassured me he was [in a similar place when] he was getting into management. Similar tech talent acquisition background, and [so] I used him as a point of release, if that makes sense” O’Connor said.
DeBono also shared further advice that was of value to her. She emphasized the importance of reaching out to mentors who can be people who make the student to employer transition easier.
“The best piece of advice [O’Connor] shared was the proper way to network,” DeBono said. “Reaching out to alumni, and asking them to have a quick conversation is a great way to get your foot in the door for any company.”
O’Connor commented on this way to network, and mentioned that he is now able to step into those shoes of becoming a mentor to students as a part of the Manhattan Mentor Program.
“I really utilized the mentor program to have adults to look up to, careers to inspire me, and that’s what I try to do now as a part of the Manhattan Mentor Program…. If I could be that little point of ease for a student, or help make this process any easier, I’d love to,” O’Connor said.
O’Connor also elaborated on the importance of passion, making it clear that there isn’t any mold you need to fit into when it comes to the career of your choice.
“It’s definitely a unique experience but I think my aspirations were very similar,” O’Connor said. “Like I sat in a lot of classes where a lot of people had similar interests as me, and I think I spoke to someone after the discussion, and they said they ‘really want to work in sports and entertainment, but they’re not a huge sports player.’ [Yet] I think it’s like you have that drive, that passion, that hard work and I think that’s something that kind of goes across all companies, all majors, everything…”