On November 14, 2024, a group of Columbia undergraduate students visited Major League Soccer (MLS), the governing body for the premier professional soccer league in North America. The site visit was led by Jackie Mynarski, Senior Director of Medical Administrations, who shared how MLS has rapidly expanded in the past few decades to include 29 clubs. In this time, MLS has committed to inspiring younger generations through their Pro Player Pathway. Mynarski was joined by Sahar Abdurrashid, Thomas Marsh, Cory Bildstein, and Danilo Rodriguez CC ‘96, SEAS ‘97, CBS ‘03 in a panel discussion to share their experience working in unexpected jobs in the sports industry. During the panel session, MLS staff shared their career journeys, roles, responsibilities, and favorite memories and projects with MLS.
Students were given a tour of the office space, filled with MLS team merch, which showcased the organization’s collaborative and energetic environment. The site visit concluded with a networking session (with cookies!) where students could ask additional questions, build connections, and gain advice from those working across different departments at MLS.
Employer Insights
Sahar Abdurrashid, Director of Communications, explained how the communications teamworks to share MLS’s brand through storytelling. By working with internal and external partners, the communications team is responsible for helping MLS gain traction and attract new fans.
Abdurrashid recommended to students to “build a network and be strategic with how you present yourself. At each event you attend, challenge yourself by completing a specific task [like introducing yourself to three new people]. Also, build real connections that can expand into opportunities rather than just a call when you need them.”
Danilo Rodriguez CC ‘96, SEAS ‘97, CBS ‘03, Senior Director of Sporting Technology, discussed how MLS has contributed to sports technology through innovative video analytics replay technology and virtual referee programs. Not only do these innovations better support the players, but they also inspire change across the entire sports industry to continue improving sporting events for all.
Rodriguez told students that “the best relationships and knowledge I have came from Columbia,so make connections; meet everyone you can and broaden your social circle outside of your major.”
Tomas Marsh, Senior Manager of Finance, explained how they work closely with internal and external partners to budget, finance, and support the development of MLS. Having studied management, Marsh explained the importance of experiential opportunities to gain skills and take initiative on projects to better direct your career journey.
Marsh recommended to students to “network and find ways to make yourself irreplaceable by making yourself valuable in any role you enter into.”
Cory Bildstein, Senior Director of Partner Solutions and Insights, discussed in depth how MLS collaborates across teams and partners to generate revenue, market teams, and support sales. All of these roles contribute to the success of MLS and its rapidly growing fanbase and reputation. Bildstein recommended that students “network” and “start identifying and creating a personal brand,” even if students are unsure of their ultimate career path.
Student Insights
“I really enjoyed the opportunity to see the company functions of MLS and all the components that lead to the growing success of the company. The site was a real look at the professional world, and overall, was a great opportunity to network.”
“[The work environment and culture] was very collaborative, very positive, pushing to innovate in an industry where there are a lot of major markets in North America.”
Visit Summary
The site visit to MLS provided students the opportunity to learn about the intersection of multiple fields of work in the professional sports industry. Additionally, students left with a greater appreciation of how MLS is continuing to evolve the sport of soccer as it expands across new industries and integrates cutting-edge data analytics to continually improve the fan experience.
Learn more about the Site Visit Program and upcoming opportunities to visit employers like this.