{"id":37493,"date":"2024-12-13T10:38:59","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T10:38:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/?p=37493"},"modified":"2024-12-17T07:30:28","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T07:30:28","slug":"how-an-internship-launched-a-career-at-formula-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/how-an-internship-launched-a-career-at-formula-1\/","title":{"rendered":"How an Internship Launched a Career at Formula 1"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/how-an-internship-launched-a-career-at-formula-1\/#A_Sports_Management_internship_in_Madrid\" >A Sports Management internship in Madrid<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/how-an-internship-launched-a-career-at-formula-1\/#Gaining_global_perspectives_in_the_sports_industry\" >Gaining global perspectives in the sports industry<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/how-an-internship-launched-a-career-at-formula-1\/#Learnings_from_an_international_internship\" >Learnings from an international internship<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/how-an-internship-launched-a-career-at-formula-1\/#Advice_for_students_who_wish_to_intern_abroad\" >Advice for students who wish to intern abroad<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/how-an-internship-launched-a-career-at-formula-1\/#What_to_expect_in_a_Sports_Management_internship\" >What to expect in a Sports Management internship<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/how-an-internship-launched-a-career-at-formula-1\/#Get_started_on_your_own_international_internship\" >Get started on your own international internship!<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can you imagine how it must feel like working for one of the most famous motorsports in the world? It\u2019s safe to say that it&#8217;s nothing short of a dream\u2014and Shaan Nahal made it his reality.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shaan recently celebrated a well-deserved promotion as Account Executive in Global Business Development for the F1 Miami Grand Prix\u2014and his Sports Management internship in Madrid a year before proved to be pivotal to this career growth.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Sports_Management_internship_in_Madrid\"><\/span><b>A Sports Management internship in Madrid<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hailing from the University of Oregon, Shaan wanted to bridge his academic background with practical experience in the sports industry. As a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/business.uoregon.edu\/programs\/undergraduate\/majors\/concentrations\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Business Administration major concentrating in Sports Business<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Absolute Internship found him a unique internship where he can apply his business skills with a sports company.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It wasn\u2019t just any internship, though\u2014it was an internship based in Madrid. With its <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Spain\/Sports-and-recreation\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">deep roots in football<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and passionate fanbase, this city was the perfect destination for Shaan to expand his knowledge on the industry. Specifically, he interned at BeFootball, a cutting-edge, startup sports technology company dedicated to virtual reality or VR.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overall, the program not only offered an opportunity that suited Shaan\u2019s preferences, but also allowed him to apply himself globally.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gaining_global_perspectives_in_the_sports_industry\"><\/span><b>Gaining global perspectives in the sports industry<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Living and working in Madrid for eight weeks allowed Shaan to experience firsthand the city\u2019s love for football. He watched matches in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.co.uk\/football\/match\/_\/gameId\/643928\/barcelona-atletico-madrid\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">C\u00edvitas Metropolitano<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and Estadio Santiago Bernab\u00e9u, and engaged with colleagues who lived and breathed sports. He even got to meet Spanish footballer Fede Vico on his first day at BeFootball!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cGrowing up in the U.S., I was primarily exposed to the popular sports here,\u201d Shaan recalls. \u201cGoing abroad and immersing myself in not only Spanish culture but European culture as a whole [&#8230;] helped me understand how other countries and continents view sports differently.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aside from exploring Madrid, Shaan made the most out of his time in Europe. He visited Paris, Copenhagen, Monte-Carlo, as well as other Spanish cities. In some of these locations, he was able to watch even more football matches.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This immersion not only made him appreciate sports more, but also deepened his understanding of European markets compared to the United States\u2014an invaluable asset that plays a part in his current role with F1.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWithout Absolute, I wouldn\u2019t have had the chance to experience this firsthand,\u201d Shaan says. \u201cEven though F1 is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. now, its global presence is so profound, and I think my experience abroad has made it easier for me to conceptualize and appreciate that global reach.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Learnings_from_an_international_internship\"><\/span><b>Learnings from an international internship<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shaan\u2019s time at BeFootball wasn\u2019t just about global perspectives, though\u2014it was also about personal and professional growth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Part of his role as a Market Analysis and Business Growth Intern was doing detailed market research. This includes <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/open.oregonstate.education\/strategicmanagement\/chapter\/4-vrio-analysis\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VRIO<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Valuable, Rare, Inimitable, and Organization) and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.psu.edu\/conducting-a-swot-analysis\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SWOT<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analyses to help the BeFootball executive team understand how they compare against competitors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember when we said Shaan watched football matches in stadiums all over Europe? Those experiences actually helped him gain more insight into diverse consumer preferences in sports, too. Talk about hitting two birds with one stone!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lastly, Shaan got to work in a dynamic startup environment. That experience of being part of a small but highly dedicated team left a lasting impression on him\u2014he found his personal compass.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOne of the biggest takeaways from that experience was realizing how important it is to pursue something that makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning,\u201d he shares. \u201cThe people at BeFootball were incredibly passionate about the company and its mission, and that energy made me want to find something I could feel the same way about for myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Advice_for_students_who_wish_to_intern_abroad\"><\/span><b>Advice for students who wish to intern abroad<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shaan\u2019s journey wouldn\u2019t have been possible if he wasn\u2019t willing to take risks and grab opportunities. His advice to students considering an international internship is simple yet profound: \u201cTake the leap.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cEven if the internship doesn\u2019t perfectly align with what you think you want to do, the people you\u2019ll meet and the experiences you\u2019ll have will be transformative,\u201d he encourages.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shaan also recommends creating a visual diary of your experience. Inspired by a friend who studied in Rome and the Netflix show <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.netflix.com\/title\/81037371\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emily in Paris<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, he documented his time in Madrid through an Instagram account, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/instagram.com\/shaaninmadrid\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">@shaaninmadrid<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It has now become a cherished keepsake of his incredible internship adventure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI\u2019m completely indebted to the [Absolute Internship] program for giving me the opportunity to work and travel abroad,\u201d he remarked on a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/feed\/update\/urn:li:activity:7267448839186329601\/?actorCompanyId=850006\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LinkedIn post<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201c[I] highly recommend it to any college student looking for an unforgettable experience!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_expect_in_a_Sports_Management_internship\"><\/span><b>What to expect in a Sports Management internship<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/internships\/sports-management-internships\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sports Management internship<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will have you dive into one of the largest and most dynamic industries in the world. You may get the chance to work closely with athletes, coaches, teams, or sports organizations, which can be a huge win for your network.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As an intern, you can expect to gain hands-on experience in various aspects\u2014from marketing and PR to event planning and sponsorship development. You might wear many hats and need to be adaptable, but this will prepare you for the fast-paced and competitive nature of the sports industry. This exposure can also give you a clearer understanding of your personal preferences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This experience, combined with the connections you\u2019ll build, will set you apart in a competitive job market.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_started_on_your_own_international_internship\"><\/span><b>Get started on your own international internship!<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shaan\u2019s story is a reminder of why stepping out of your comfort zone and exploring the world are important. An international internship is more than just a line on your resume; it\u2019s an opportunity to grow personally and professionally, gain a global perspective, and discover new passions\u2014all of which could lead you to amazing career opportunities in the near future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ready to start your own adventure with Absolute Internship? Explore <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/programs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">our destinations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and apply for an international internship with us today. Your global career begins here.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Can you imagine how it must feel like working for one of the most famous motorsports in the world? It\u2019s safe to say that it&#8217;s nothing short of a dream\u2014and&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6168,"featured_media":37494,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[715],"tags":[1064,1063,1062,1049],"table_tags":[],"class_list":["post-37493","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-success-stories","tag-f1-racing","tag-formula-1-racing","tag-shaan-nahal","tag-sports-management-internship"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37493","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37493"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37493\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37494"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37493"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37493"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37493"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=37493"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}