Spotlight on the Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management Major: A Q&A with SAEM Faculty
"SAEM majors begin their career journey in their very first semester at Point Park. Students learn the basics of business and are involved in a shadowing program with sports, arts and entertainment organizations. Led by caring faculty with extensive experience in their areas of expertise, SAEM students continue their career preparedness and build their personal networks through volunteer work, multiple internships and co-op opportunities."
Assistant Professor Kendra Ross
What is special about the SAEM major at Point Park University?
Students in our sports, arts and entertainment management major are empowered to become innovative SAEM professionals by taking courses uniquely designed and taught by SAEM industry professionals.
The SAEM major also affords our students transformative experiential learning opportunities through shadowing and internship roles with leading SAEM organizations in our area and throughout the country.
Unique among colleges and universities in the Pittsburgh region, students in our major operate a student-run record label called Pioneer Records, LLC., where they oversee artist scouting and booking, recording, marketing and release of an EP each year.
— Kendra Ross, ABD, assistant professor
What should high school students and their parents know about being an SAEM major at Point Park?
New SAEM students need to be prepared to be immersed in the SAEM profession starting immediately with their first semester. As experienced SAEM professionals, we know that your success depends on you building your network to help you get hired.
Be prepared to meet and build relationships with business leaders in event management, sports, music, venue management and more. This means your classes will often feature guest speakers and/or on-site tours at PPG Paints Arena, Stage AE or The Benedum Center, to name a few.
The SAEM Club, along with other Point Park University clubs, will give you the chance to get involved in creating and implementing events — even as a first-year student. We encourage you to take full advantage of these experiences sooner rather than later!
— Paige Beal, MBA, associate professor
Where have graduates of your program landed internships, co-ops and careers?
There are so many places where our students have secured internships and careers in SAEM.
Some of the most exciting organizations include:
- Lincoln Center
- Madison Square Garden
- The Ellen DeGeneres Show
- Pittsburgh Public Theater
- Attack Theatre
- City Theatre
- Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
- Pittsburgh Opera
- Pittsburgh Parks Conservatory
- Pittsburgh Pirates
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Stage AE
- Drusky Entertainment
- ShowClix
- Elektra Music Group
— Teresa Gregory, M.F.A., associate professor
How will Point Park make me career-ready in sports, arts and entertainment management?
SAEM majors begin their career journey in their very first semester at Point Park. Students learn the basics of business and are involved in a shadowing program with sports, arts and entertainment organizations. Led by caring faculty with extensive experience in their areas of expertise, SAEM students continue their career preparedness and build their personal networks through volunteer work, multiple internships and co-op opportunities.
Point Park University’s Downtown location provides amazing experiential opportunities while SAEM curriculum remains nimble to meet the ever-changing demands of the marketplace. Employers in sports, arts and entertainment appreciate that Point Park SAEM graduates are “Day-One Ready!” to contribute to their organizations.
— Robert Derda, M.S., assistant professor and chair