By Monday, it was back to work as students set out to dive into sales careers with the Atlanta Braves and the world of accounting with KPMG.
First up, a tour of Truist Park, home of the Braves, to supply students with background on the team and the ballpark. After their tour, students met with Richard Thornton, the Braves’ senior director of ticket sales, alongside sales team members. Thornton hammered home the importance of networking and relationship building to forge long-term relationships, leaving students with cogent advice on building authentic connections now and as they advance in their careers:
“Don’t network to just network. Network authentically. And you’ll connect with the people you should connect with.”
With these words echoing in their ears, students set off for the last stop of their visit: KPMG.
KPMG greeted students with a detailed explanation of their internship and young professional programs. Also on the docket was a dive into the company’s culture, as students enjoyed a panel of representatives from KPMG’s various employee resource groups, who provided a look behind the curtain at what it was like to work and develop a career at KPMG.
Students ended the experience inspired. Taking away several key lessons from their time in Atlanta, including the need to explore every facet of business, network purposefully and hone their personal branding.
“My biggest takeaway was the importance of taking chances and unapologetically exploring what you’d like to do in the future,” reflected Pastor. “It was inspiring to hear about how others navigated their careers and how stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to unexpected opportunities.”
Featured image: Students received a tour of Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, as part of their travel experience. Photos/Haley Fite