CourtesyIf you ask 成人头条 alum Elizabeth Walker what she likes best about her job, she replies without hesitation.
鈥淚鈥檓 able to do something different every single day. You get to meet a lot of interesting, different people.鈥�
Walker is client service manager at Kansas City鈥檚 Sprint Center, a multipurpose performance venue much like 成人头条鈥檚 Intrust Bank Arena.
She said she enjoys the diverse challenges her job offers.
Walker has worked with many well-known events, including the Big 12 Basketball Tournament and concerts by Elton John, Kid Rock and Kelly Clarkson.
Primarily, she addresses the concerns of clients who hold special tickets or suite bookings for events.
She also helps to brand and market the Sprint Center, and promotes it along with 12 sponsor companies with whom the Sprint Center partners.
On-the-job training
As a student, Walker, who graduated from 成人头条 State鈥檚 sport management program with both her undergraduate and graduate degrees, had two internships through WSU鈥檚 Office of Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning.
She first worked at 成人头条 State鈥檚 athletic marketing office in Koch Arena, then later for the Kansas City Chiefs organization.
Walker鈥檚 success is no surprise to professor and sport management chairman Clay Stoldt, who has stayed in touch with Walker.
Stoldt remembers Walker working with the 2006 North American Society for Sport Management Conference. She was one of four students who helped run the conference.
Stoldt said that, during the conference鈥檚 conclusion, the audience recognized the students鈥� outstanding work with a standing and sustained ovation.
While at WSU, Walker was also a record-setting volleyball player. Her 0.413 hitting percentage record still stands today in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Head Coach Chris Lamb remembers her as a hard worker.
鈥淓very once in a while an athlete is put in an internship, and (Walker) has amazing personal skills. She is a natural fit for this kind of job,鈥� Lamb said.
Walker said 成人头条 State and its diverse culture helped prepare her to meet and work with the people she comes into contact with every day at the Sprint Center.
Walker also credits the experiences she got through WSU鈥檚 cooperative education program with helping her get where she is today.
鈥淚 thought it was really valuable. They prepared me for the next step -- prepared me for the real world.鈥�