Journalising our journey at the AISTS Master of Advanced Studies: The choice & Admission 2024
AISTS MAS 2025 Participant
Nowadays, it is becoming harder and harder to capture people’s attention. But what if we could read something about ourselves?
A letter to my classmates, past and future AISTS MAS participants.
This series of articles aims to show what life is really like on a day-to-day basis at AISTS. It’s not about promoting AISTS, but rather about sharing the genuine experiences of participants and highlighting the human side of the AISTS Master of Advanced Studies. I’m Madeline Coquoz, a 2025 MAS participant and a former Swiss elite competitive diver. My ambition at AISTS is to explore facets of sport that I had never considered before.
When you start looking into a Master of Advanced Studies in Sport Management, it means you’re ready to take a significant step forward, embracing new horizons and change. However, this often comes with questions, doubts, and moments of self-reflection. These are the questions every candidate has before applying to the MAS Programme – questions that only an insider can truly answer.
Why am I attracted to the sport industry? Do I trust this industry to fulfil my ambitions?
Sport is so appealing because it ignites passion, shares emotions, and values that englobe a bigger picture than oneself. For me, I always imagined it as Mount Olympus, high above the clouds, with Greek gods wearing white and gold laurel wreaths. But each of us has our own dreams and imagery.
This led me to what I call the “too good to be true” dilemma. Is it really legitimating to build my career in the sport industry? Will it fulfil my professional, personal, and financial aspirations? But then again, isn’t that question relevant to any career path? One of the most fascinating aspects of sport is that it constantly raises further questions. This is the beauty and the reason why sport is such a valid and worthwhile industry. It’s a privilege to work in a field that evokes so much passion for you and drives you every day. Even after acknowledging the prestige of sport, I still had my doubts when applying to this programme. Would a Master of Advanced Studies in Sport Management cover enough hard skills?
Job Market in the Sport Industry
In today’s job market, we need both degrees and experience, which makes it hard to stand out. In 15 months, AISTS offers academics, a guided consulting project, and work experience, so it checks all the boxes. The key value is learning how to connect the dots across different aspects of sport. Through the classes you identify and bridge topics from medicine – what is physical activity, to pure management – sponsoring and contract for top players. The topics are so interesting that it leaves you wanting to explore them further.
Another aspect on everyone’s mind is the time and financial investment required by this programme. It’s a full commitment – a total life change for some or a logical continuation for others, but ultimately a choice that requires full dedication like an athlete. Life is short, so why not build a life driven by your passion?
For me, making such an important move required trusting my gut feeling. My instincts were right; here, we feel like we’re part of a community, part of something bigger. Even when some topics seem too good to be true or sitting through hours of class can sometimes feel challenging, AISTS helps you discover yourself. Of course, there are ups and downs, just like in any programme, with the usual challenges: deadlines, group projects, and exams. But being an AISTS participant is precious, learning from others, sharing post-class drinks, playing sport together, celebrating successes and setbacks as a team, like a family.
Different Perspectives
For those passionate about sport who come from another industry: it’s obviously challenging to sit on the bench again. But the programme reveals the backstage of the game, all the components needed to understand the bigger picture of the sport industry. While the academic content of the first weeks is more foundational, the real-life case studies and practical exercises are real added value. It set the whole class to the same grounds to then take us to the next level.
For recent graduates: This is a great entry into the professional world, giving you the time and tools to explore. It broadens your network, and you learn by observing classmates with more experience.
For former athletes: The programme helps you put theory to what you’ve been practicing throughout your athletic career. It’s fascinating to see the people and structures behind the scenes, and your experience brings a unique perspective on the practicality and impact of the classes.
Possible Improvement
Each year, the programme evolves to include current topics, but some classes adapt faster than others. Many examples are based on popular sport like football, skiing, basketball, and ice hockey. If we want to discuss individual and less popular sport, we need to drive the conversation in that direction. Similarly, the focus on potential workplaces often highlights major international federations. If we want to explore other sectors, such as mass sport, sport for health, government bodies, or private organisations, we, as participants, need to guide the professors to include these perspectives.
You choose AISTS to explore, and AISTS provides the human and practical resources to do so. First, there are countless directions in the world of sport, and this programme gives you time to explore them with people who can guide you. Second, you learn so much from others – from high-quality guest lecturers to your multicultural classmates – there’s never a dull moment. Third, you choose AISTS for the network. Meeting alumni and visiting different organisations opens your eyes to new possibilities and helps you understand what resonates with you versus what might suit your classmates better.
Finally, embarking on a programme like this test your patience and nerves. Once you start, even more questions arise: Why am I sitting in a classroom again? Is it worth it? Will I find a job aligned with my ambitions? But you’re surrounded by people who help you embrace and navigate these questions.
Career Transition in the Sport Industry
Ivan Privalikhin, MAS 2025 Participant
It was harder to decide to try a new specialty after 10 years of a successful career as engineer geologist. Before deciding to transition into the sport industry, I reflected on several key questions: What excites me about working in sport? Since childhood, I have always been passionate about sport and its ability to inspire and unite people around the world. I think it helped me take the big step and try something new. The hardest step is always the first one. I have always believed that adapting to a new environment through education is the surest way.
How can my existing skills transfer to this new industry? What is my goal? I envisioned being part of projects that promote sustainability and innovation within sport – values I carry from my construction background. I am a geographer by education and by heart. I will treat every day as a new expedition.
I am just at the starting line and all the challenges of the transition are still ahead. But there are more good days than bad. People often tend to doubt decisions they’ve already made and imagine various “what if” scenarios, especially when faced with challenges.
However, one thing I assure that the greatest resource of this programme, for me, is the people – first and foremost, my classmates. Everyone has made sacrifices and taken risks to be part of this programme, and I believe that together, we can help each other become the best versions of ourselves. As the saying goes, “the one who walks will master the road.”
This series is coordinated by Madeline Coquoz from the MAS Class of 2025.
Learn more about the AISTS Master of Advanced Studies.
