Johan Cruyff Institute holds the sixth edition of its Step Day, a fully consolidated initiative that connects companies in the sector and master’s degree students in sport management who put their talent at the service of the sports industry
Facilitating the entry of students in sport management into the sports industry requires a firm commitment from the academic environment and from companies eager to incorporate new talent into their organization. Six years ago, Johan Cruyff Institute launched its Step Day, an innovative and now fully consolidated initiative that brings together all interested parties in the same space—the Antiga Fàbrica Damm in Barcelona.
The main objective of every master’s student is to develop their knowledge, apply it in the real world and, above all, find a job in the sector in which they have decided to specialize. Johan Cruyff Institute opens this first door of access to the sports industry through the Step Day, a day of scheduled meetings where students of the University Master’s Degree in Sport Management, the Blended Master in Sport Marketing and Management and the Master in Football Business in partnership with FC Barcelona – Barça Innovation Hub can present themselves to the companies that they consider most similar to their tastes in search of an internship.
“We have grown a lot during these six editions, thanks to the involvement of companies that help us in this task of training new professionals in the sports industry” – Núria Juan, associate academic manager
“We have grown a lot during these six editions, thanks to the involvement of companies that help us in this task of training new professionals in the sports industry,” says the associate academic manager of Johan Cruyff Institute, Núria Juan. A total of 70 students and 22 companies took part in this year’s edition, and many of these companies “are represented by former students who have already done the master’s program themselves, and participated in the first editions of Step Day. And now they are the ones who are interviewing students starting this year and, therefore, they understand perfectly the interests, needs, desires and doubts they have. So, it is an event where you can make the most of all the talent that is beginning to study the master’s degree and all the talent that has come out after the master’s degree and is now in the companies,” explains Núria.
“The profiles you can find at Johan Cruyff Institute are very focused on the world of sport, with different backgrounds, but with very strong and interesting resumés” – Alex Abella (Andorran Football Federation)
This is the case, for example, of Alex Abella, current marketing and sponsorships executive at the Andorran Football Federation and former student of the University Master’s Degree in Sport Management. “At the federation, we are looking for a support profile for the marketing and sponsorship department to help us in the analysis of data so we can make a communicative marketing strategy with more information, and also a contribution to the sponsorship department, either in searching for new sponsorships or, comparing our existing ones with other competitors, or everything related to these two areas. The profiles you can find at Johan Cruyff Institute are very focused on the world of sport, with different backgrounds, but with very strong and interesting resumés,” says Alex.
“Direct contact, the feeling that that person gives you, being able to ask what they have done, what else they like and getting an idea of what they do not put on paper is the most important thing” – Andrea Flores (Itik Consulting)
This direct contact with the students is another reason why companies come to Step Day. It is an added value that offers much more than a simple job advert on a virtual platform or having to spend a lot of time searching for a profile that fits their needs. “In the resumé, as we all know, we can look at where you come from, what you have done, your experience. But in the end, direct contact, the feeling that that person gives you, being able to ask what they have done, what else they like and getting an idea of what they do not put on paper is the most important thing. And seeing, above all, what they are looking for and what they want to achieve in their professional future, in case we or other companies that also participate in this event can provide it,” explains Andrea Flores of Itik Consulting.
“The master’s degree and this type of event is fundamental because it generates those first contacts, to be able to measure how companies are beginning to look for the profiles they need from among the new professionals that are about to emerge” – Jerónimo Miranda
“Obviously, the main reason why I decided to do the master’s degree is to enter the sports industry. I have a lot of experience in another industry that is not related and I think that the master’s degree and this type of event is fundamental because it generates those first contacts, to be able to measure how companies are beginning to look for the profiles they need from among the new professionals that are about to emerge,” says Jerónimo Miranda, student of the Blended Master in Sport Marketing and Management.
“It’s ideal for networking and getting an internship within the master’s program. I think it’s a very useful and well-organized tool” – Marc Vila (University Master’s Degree in Sport Management)
Marc Vila, student of the University Master’s Degree in Sport Management, highlights the dynamics of the event, with interviews of 15 minutes each, which not only allows the students to get an idea of the needs of the companies, but also the different projects they are working on. “There are different companies, from different fields, and I’m really enjoying it. It’s ideal for networking and getting an internship within the master’s program. I think it’s a very useful and well-organized tool,” says Marc.
