“I feel like a seasoned veteran,” I tell myself as I still sporadically miss trains, get lost, ask someone something, and learn something from someone. Yet after just a provincial seven-week period living in New York, I find myself accustomed to life here. Despite the clear naivety of that assessment, I can honestly say that by gaining experience across these swiftly passing weeks, I have effectively ditched that hysteria often associated with taking risks. And only by taking increasingly more uncomfortable and courageous risks will that agitating feeling quell. After experiencing this first-hand over the summer, I can confidently say my initial venture into the city has been sublime. While there are a few nominal inconveniences that come with living in the city (i.e., heavy packs of tourists, high prices, and subway rats) they are insurmountably outweighed by the benefits that come with life as a proud MSBA participant.

There is no exact formula for how to achieve the most enriching experience with MSBA. However, as I look back at what has been a remarkably brisk program, I can’t help but offer a word of insight to those who follow in our footsteps …

Meet with your Mentors. These resources are unquestionably on your side and in your dugout. The sports industry is invitingly interconnected, and having three established professionals immediately supporting you is immeasurably impactful.

Ask your coworkers and fellow interns to lunch. I was a victim of the working lunch all too often in the early days of my internship. I felt the need to make a positive impression through a persistent work ethic and sacrificed some opportunities to connect with my peers. Taking initiative and asking others to lunch will go a lot further than staying at your desk and out of sight.

Know when to work. And that should be always when on the clock. Reputation will follow you everywhere, and whether or not that is positive is entirely up to your work performance. Impressions are made easily, instantly, and eternally. Make it a good one.

Know your best connections. It is unquestionably important to network after programming and at work, yet the most significant network connections available are the other participants within MSBA. I have already experienced the reciprocity accompanied by helping out one of your peers, as they are eager to do the same for you.

Adapt. This is an internship. It is acceptable and common to make mistakes. It is unacceptable to not learn from those mistakes and prevent them from resurfacing. My first blog referenced my tendency to be late in life. Through open communication with my supervisors, I am typically able to make programming functions on time, as I can compensate for leaving early by showing up early.

Six weeks ago, upon missing a train, I would be certain that my world was ending. Now? I somewhat calmly wait for the next one. That mindset encapsulates my lasting takeaway from my time with THE Manhattan Sports Business Academy: What’s next?

Always be ready for what’s next. Always have an eye on the future. And always respect your past. The Manhattan Sports Business Academy has benefited me both personally and professionally. I can only hope to reciprocate such an impact in the future, as you never know what’s coming next.