University of San Francisco Sport Management graduate student Xing Huang on scoring career-high opportunities
๐๐๐๐ฃ ๐ ๐๐ง๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ: ๐๐ฅ๐ค๐ง๐ฉ๐จ ๐๐ฃ๐๐ช๐จ๐ฉ๐ง๐ฎ ๐๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐ถ๐ ๐ฎ ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฝ๐ถ๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฝ๐น๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐๐๐๐ฟ๐. ๐๐ผ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ด๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฝ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ!
Want to break into the sports industry?
Hereโs what Xing Huang has learned so far and wants to pass on to you:
When you think of sports, you might just see the game.
But whatโs happening off the court or field?
Thatโs where he believes the real impact happens.
At a recent conference in New York, he realized that sports is no longer just sports.
The game is evolving.
And how you help merge industries is your edge.
Sports and fashion?
Big money.
Sports and entertainment?
Even bigger.
Think about the NBAโs collaboration with:
โข music
โข film / tv
โข international cultures
Thatโs winning.
Plus becoming a brand that people live and breathe.
And then thereโs the storytelling.
Fans no longer care about what their favorite players are doing just during the game.
They want to know what happens behind the scenes.
Who are they in the locker room?
What drives their personality?
That connection makes fans stick around for more than just the final score.
Xing also wants you to know that networking is KEY.
When he first moved to California from China for an exchange program at UC Irvine, he sent out 150 emails to people in the game.
Got 20 responses.
And those 20 people are now his foundation.
Yes, thereโs the numbers.
And then thereโs the quality connections.
Whether youโre grabbing coffee with industry leaders or hopping on ZOOM, put in the effort to add value.
People will remember you if you bring something to the table.
Another thing: Be comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Early in his career, Xing treated every task like he was already a full-time manager.
That shift in mindsetโseeing the bigger pictureโhelped him build confidence.
And contribute beyond just his role.
Lastly, donโt limit yourself to one path.
Sports ties into media, culture, fashion, and community.
Whether youโre like him, and itโs:
โข getting involved with the street team at USL OC County SC
โข or running 12-hour days doing operations work for USC Athletics
โข or interning at Disney / ESPN
Every experience can help you learn, grow, and evolve.
So, if youโre aiming to make your mark in sports, remember his main advice:
1. Combine industries for new opportunities.
2. Build real relationships, not just networks.
3. Always add value.
4. Think bigger than your job title.
Because your time in the game starts NOW.
***
Know a rising undergraduate or graduate student looking to kickstart their career in sports?
Xingโs story is an inspiring must read for THIS generation of professionals.
Flag this post and send it to them today.
And thank you for the lively discussion Xing!
We appreciate you helping students level up their skills by sharing your real world experiences.
Follow Xing: LinkedIn
