A career in professional sports extends far beyond what happens on the court, field, or ice. Students interested in the business side of the industry can use internships to learn how partnerships, events, and other operations come together behind the scenes.

Annabelle Jackson graduated from Kogod’s Business and Entertainment (BAE) program in May 2026 with a focus in agency and a minor in marketing. An American University Division I lacrosse player, Jackson balanced academics and athletics while building experience for a career in professional sports.

Jackson began working with Monumental Sports & Entertainment during her senior year. Game-night work at Capital One Arena grew into a summer internship with the organization’s Global Partnerships department and, after graduation, a full-time role.

Jackson’s path shows how students can combine classroom learning, professional relationships, and hands-on experience to begin building a career in professional sports before they graduate.

How Do You Break Into the Professional Sports Industry?

Jackson started building her professional network while she was a student at Kogod.

Kogod BAE professors Matt Winkler and Matt Bakowicz introduced Jackson to professionals in sports and entertainment as her interest in the industry grew. Jackson turned those introductions into informational interviews, fitting conversations around classes and lacrosse practices.

These initial conversations helped Jackson expand her professional network and learn more about career paths in professional sports. She began working with Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s Global Partnerships department during her senior year.

Jackson worked game nights at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, documenting sponsor signage and assisting with event logistics. The role gave her an early look at how partnerships operate behind the scenes at professional sporting events.

Jackson later joined Global Partnerships as a full-time summer intern, expanding the experience she had gained during the academic year.

What Do You Do During a Professional Sports Internship?

Jackson quickly learned that working in professional sports involves far more than what fans see on game day.

“No two days in the sports world are the same,” she said.

Jackson’s responsibilities varied by event. A game day could include finalizing sponsor signage, coordinating special guests, or helping prepare a red carpet. The work required constant communication, attention to detail, and the ability to adjust when plans changed.

Her role also gave her a front-row seat to major moments in DC sports. Jackson was in the arena when Alex Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goals record and experienced a Wizards draft pick alongside the team’s fan base. She even rode down Pennsylvania Avenue in an IndyCar during a track test.

Jackson saw firsthand how much planning and coordination go into creating major sports events and experiences for fans.

What Skills Do You Need to Work in Professional Sports?

Jackson drew on skills she had developed through her Kogod coursework when she began working at Monumental.

Sports communication and crisis communication courses prepared her for an industry where plans can change quickly and employees must communicate effectively with partners, guests, and colleagues.

Class assignments also gave Jackson examples of work she could add to her résumé and discuss during interviews. These samples allowed Jackson to show employers her skill set before she had extensive professional experience.

Jackson put her communication skills into practice at Monumental. Working across events, partnerships, and changing priorities required her to communicate clearly, adapt quickly, and apply what she had practiced at Kogod in a professional setting.

How Do You Turn an Internship Into a Full-Time Job?

Jackson’s path from Kogod student to Monumental employee developed over several stages:

• Building her network: Kogod professors introduced Jackson to professionals in sports and entertainment, and she pursued informational interviews to learn more about the industry.
• Gaining game-day experience: Jackson worked with Monumental’s Global Partnerships department during her senior year, supporting sponsor activations and event logistics at Capital One Arena.
• Taking on a full-time internship: Jackson joined Global Partnerships as a summer intern and continued building her experience with the organization.
• Starting her career: Jackson joined Monumental full time after graduating from Kogod in May 2026.

Jackson’s experience shows how internships can give students time to learn how an organization operates, build professional relationships, and decide whether an industry aligns with their career goals. Her experience at Monumental also gave the organization an opportunity to see her skills in action before she graduated.

What Do Business Students Learn From a Sports Internship?

Jackson’s experience shows that preparing for a career in professional sports requires more than an interest in the game. Students also need to understand the partnerships, communication, events, and day-to-day work that support the industry.

Jackson developed many of these skills through her Kogod coursework and put them into practice at Monumental. Her experience gave her a clearer understanding of how the sports industry operates and what it takes to contribute in a professional environment.

Jackson graduated from Kogod with more than an understanding of the industry she wanted to enter. She had already worked in it, built professional relationships, and turned that experience into a career.