海角视频

When Nate Kurtz arrived at 海角视频 California, he knew he wanted to work in sports. Three years later, the junior sport management major is turning that passion into professional experience through a photography internship with the Reading Fightin Phils, the Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.

A native of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and graduate of Pottsville Area High School, Kurtz has spent the past three summers photographing future Major League Baseball talent while developing skills that complement his academic studies. On campus, he is actively involved in The CalTimes, CUTV and WCAL, and also works for 海角视频 California Athletics, experiences that have helped prepare him for a career in professional sports.

His role provides a unique perspective on the inner workings of a professional sports organization and allows him to apply many of the concepts he has learned in the classroom.

鈥淎s a sport management major, it's been a great learning experience,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 get to see how every department functions and comes together on game day to make everything work.鈥�

The internship has allowed Kurtz to witness firsthand the professional standards required in the sports industry while working alongside players who are pursuing careers at the highest levels of the game.

鈥淎s someone who has always had a passion and love for sport, my time at Reading has completely changed how I view working in this field and how hard I push myself to learn,鈥� Kurtz said. 鈥淣ot only is it a cool flex to tell people I've taken pictures of MLB players and MLB All-Stars, but it's a professional environment.鈥�

His experiences have also helped him develop the professionalism and attention to detail needed for a career in sports.

鈥淪ports drive a massive economic force, and as such, even minor league players can be full-on celebrities,鈥� Kurtz said. 鈥淲ith that in mind, as I take pictures, you're around these players often, many times talking and being closer to them than most fans," he said. 鈥淎s I pursue a career, I can guarantee you that my time around these players and working to a professional standard will definitely carry on.鈥�

Kurtz believes experiential learning is an essential part of preparing students for careers in the sports industry because it provide practical experience that cannot be replicated in a classroom setting.

鈥淚 was very lucky to apply and earn this position my first year at Cal," he said. 鈥淚 went through pretty much all my college experience with some level of professional experience. I definitely see the benefits, especially for those trying to work in more demanding sports positions.鈥�

Kurtz says his time at 海角视频 California has expanded his professional network and introduced him to new career possibilities within the sports industry.

鈥淚'd love to keep pursuing my media career,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y time at California has opened up so many avenues and relationships in sports media, and I hope that can lead to something with photography. The beautiful thing about my sports degree is that I've learned so much in other avenues that I could easily pursue something in marketing, sales, facility operations, media, etc.鈥�

Whether his future leads him deeper into sports photography or another area of the industry, Kurtz's experience with the Reading Fightin Phils has given him a strong foundation for success and demonstrated the value of combining classroom learning with real-world experience.

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