The players on the field aren’t the only thing that makes a professional sports team successful. From marketing and ticket sales to event operations and management, professional sports franchises rely on a skilled team off the field to be successful. On Thursday, March 7th, 2024, a group of 30 juniors and seniors enrolled in Campo Verde High School's Corporate Academy program got a glimpse into these diverse career paths at the Oakland A's Career Education Day held at Hohokam Stadium, the organization's spring training facility in Mesa, Arizona. This targeted event provided valuable insights for Campo Verde’s Corporate Academy, demonstrating how classroom knowledge translates to the exciting world of professional sports.
Campo Verde High School's Corporate Academy is a unique three-year Career and Technical Education (CTE) program designed to prepare students for success in the business world. This hands-on program goes beyond textbooks, exposing students to real-world projects where they learn valuable skills like business communication, marketing strategies, and interview techniques. Guest speakers from the business community offer practical insights, and field trips to local businesses further bridge the gap between theory and practice. This immersive approach equips Corporate Academy students with the confidence and skills they need to thrive in any professional setting.
"Our goal in Corporate Academy is to set students up for success, not just in their careers, but also in college and life. One way we do this is by participating in programs like the A's Career Education Day so that students can gain exposure to diverse career paths they may not have considered before,” said Ashley McLaren, the Corporate Academy teacher at Campo Verde High. “Ultimately, the students benefit from seeing our course concepts applied in real life while exploring careers in fields they are passionate about.”
The Oakland A's Career Education Day started with a panel discussion featuring Brian Schulman (Director of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation), Leslie Flores (Education and Cultural Events Coordinator), Kimberly Pashby (Spring Training Promotions Coordinator), and Mason Platt (Social Media Coordinator). The A’s staff shared their stories, diving into what it is like to work in sports, what a typical workday looks like, how to get into the workforce, and more. The panelists left students with advice that included messages about never giving up, being a better version of oneself, and embracing failure. After the panel discussion ended, students then explored a college fair that included schools like the University of Arizona and Grand Canyon University, where they could learn more about continuing education after high school.
Corporate Academy is designed to prepare students to plan, organize, direct, and control the functions and processes of a firm or organization. The program is currently offered at Campo Verde High School and Mesquite High School. To learn more about Corporate Academy and other CTE programs, visit .