AISTS 2020 CLASS SECURING TOP SPORT JOBS
As the sporting world prepares for what we hope will sooner or later be a return to “normality”, no significant impact is seen by AISTS MAS 2020 graduates with regards to job procurement. So far, around 90% were able to take on new professional challenges during the pandemic. The current enrolment numbers are in line with previous years from non-Covid-impacted classes. This reflects a positive sign for the current class, facing similar Covid related circumstances of online classes and a significant drop in outdoor activities and in-person-networking.
Within the 2020 graduates, a large majority (54%) are currently working in Switzerland. Sectors include sport associations, broadcast and media, sporting goods, events, agencies, public administration and many more.
Amongst them are Robert Sheppard and Pouya Yaghoubinia, who successfully turned their internship into permanent jobs. Robert is currently working as a Project and Planning Manager at FIFA, and Pouya as a Football Development Analyst at ECA.
Success stories are not limited to Sport Associations as reflected by Kristian D’Amore, who was hired directly into a job at Team Marketing and Omar Adi, who has been a Sponsorship Manager on the publishing and science platform Frontiers for almost one year to date.
Some of the MAS 2020 graduates have successfully secured jobs with the International Olympic Committee. Alexandre Breton has been employed as Project Manager in Corporate Planning and Strategic Development, Jiwan Uhm secured an Internship within the IOC esport team and Meghan Cheung as a Consultant. Furthermore, Carolina Gillespie secured a role at Milano-Cortina 2026, in parallel with an internship at IOC.
A total of nine graduates secured positions within Sport Associations. Mark Hurst joined World Athletics and Eric Mackenzie converted his internship at International Bowling Federation into a permanent position. Whilst on the job, Mikel Thomas (VISA, an IOC Olympic Top Partner) continues juggling work life balance as he perseveres with his Olympic dream in reaching his athletic best to participate at the Tokyo Olympics.
“Graduating during Covid restrictions was difficult, but it made me even more aware that I am part of the solution. With AISTS, I further developed my skills to overcome unforeseen difficulties and successfully combine the Tokyo 2020 preparation with my current job at Visa.”
– Mikel Thomas, OLY, Olympic ParaOlympic Business Development Associate at VISA
These are just a few examples that show that the world of sport continues offering exciting job opportunities. Congratulations to all of you – and those not mentioned in person – for having overcome the hurdles of the pandemic and keeping your sporting dreams alive! The AISTS wishes you together with our plus 600 alumni all the success, and thank you for continuously making a positive difference to the world of sport.
Find out more about the recent Participants & Alumni.
