Pittsburgh Penguins Promotes MBA and SAEM Graduate to Full-Time Inside Sales Position

Meet Jessica Martin

Job Title & Employer: Inside Sales Representative, Pittsburgh Penguins
Majors/Programs: Sports, Arts & Entertainment Management, MBA
Graduation: April 2017, April 2019
College Activities: Student Advisory Board Member for the Pittsburgh Center for Sports Media and Marketing, SAEM Club, Student Accounting Association, Honor Student Organization, HSO Mentor, Phi Beta Lambda, Graduate Assistant for the Rowland School of Business Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management program
Scholarships: Presidential and Department Scholarship from the Rowland School of Business
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa. (Brentwood Borough)
High School: Brentwood Middle-High School
Now Living In: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Hobbies & Interests: Travelling (I’ve now been to four European countries in three years!) and attending sporting events … that I’m not working!

"Point Park University’s SAEM program is the only bachelor of science degree program in the United States to offer courses in all four concentrations (sports, arts, entertainment and marketing) — without forcing you to choose a path. Additionally, Point Park's continued emphasis on experiential learning, paired with its ideal location in Downtown Pittsburgh, made it an easy decision."

Jessica Martin

How did you land your full-time position with the Pittsburgh Penguins?

My journey towards attaining a full-time position with the Pittsburgh Penguins started during my freshman year at Point Park University. In 2013, I began volunteering for the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, working their game-night silent auctions. Gaining this hands-on experience so early on in my career proved to be invaluable.

For two years, I continued to volunteer while working part time at a local ice rink (while also completing a summer finance internship with Pittsburgh Public Theater). In the fall of 2015, I was offered the ticket operations Internship with the Penguins, which was the best experience I could possibly imagine.

When my semester-long internship concluded, I came back to volunteer at the department’s annual Season Ticket Holder Skate held at the arena. It was while working this event that my now supervisor told me that the department was looking to start a part-time sales team, and she wanted me to apply. Naturally, I jumped at the opportunity: I applied, interviewed and was hired by March 2016 — only two months after my internship concluded.

Since that March, I have been working as a part-time sales rep through the team’s back-to-back Stanley Cups, finishing my undergraduate degree, working as a graduate assistant for the Rowland School of Business, three study abroad trips with the University and finally graduating with my MBA. This June, I was offered a full-time inside sales position, and officially started on July 1! It’s been an amazing six-year journey to say the least!

What factors made you choose Point Park University for both your SAEM and MBA degrees?

Point Park University’s SAEM program is the only bachelor of science degree program in the United States to offer courses in all four concentrations (sports, arts, entertainment and marketing) — without forcing you to choose a path. Additionally, Point Park's continued emphasis on experiential learning, paired with its ideal location in Downtown Pittsburgh, made it an easy decision.

As for graduate school, being offered a graduate assistantship by the Rowland School of Business helped my decision tremendously. The business analytics concentration in the MBA program was the right fit for me to pursue my long-term career goals.

How have our classes and faculty impacted you and the work you do?

The Rowland School of Business faculty, especially in the SAEM program, are the perfect mix of academics and industry professionals. Each faculty member has their own network of career connections that enable students to expand their own professional network from day one.

In addition, the course load that the faculty require of students always features project-based learning that allows students to use these materials as work samples when attending career fairs, applying for jobs and going on interviews. I have used case studies, research papers and strategic plans for many of mine — they are always great talking points!

In what ways has Point Park put you on the path to reaching your career goals?

Point Park University has certainly put me on the path to reaching my career goals: it’s been a combination of so many things. As a commuter student, I was able to attend classes in the morning and work in the afternoon/evening.

From the beginning, I built a network of career contacts — from faculty and staff to fellow students — that only continues to grow. Additionally, I was able to travel and learn new things about myself in the process.

Final thoughts?

I think it’s important for students to never say “no” to an opportunity. While it might not be your dream job, any experience can show you not only what you like to do, but what you don’t like, too! I also learned on my most recent study abroad trip how necessary it is to be a sponge in this industry. No matter the situation, it is crucial to “soak up” as much information as you can and always learn from it!

Pittsburgh Penguins Promotes MBA and SAEM Graduate to Full-Time Inside Sales Position Alumni Profile