Nichols Launches Three New Exciting Business Programs
DUDLEY, Mass.—Nichols College is expanding its business concentrations to increase career opportunities for students in the sport management and real estate fields. The college is adding Sport Sales & Strategy, Sport Marketing & Content Creation, and Real Estate Management to its Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree programs beginning in Fall 2021.
The three new concentrations offer specialized training to meet the demand for skilled and polished professionals in two growth industries. Students will benefit from focused coursework amplified by hands-on learning experiences, such as internships with professional sports organizations, consulting projects with businesses, and professional external certifications.
“These new concentrations are driven by industry demand, but also by the interests and passions of students who want to increase their skills and channel those passions into targeted careers,” says Mauri Pelto, Ph.D., dean of academic affairs at Nichols College. “Nichols can offer them distinctive opportunities and access to a faculty and alumni network who are successful in both fields. The success of these alumni underscores the value Nichols can offer.”
Concentrations in Sport Management
According to Hanover Research, sports-related jobs in the New England region are projected to grow 8.9 percent through 2026, and there are more openings for sales positions than any other in the sport industry. The Sport Sales & Strategy concentration will hone the ability to sell, negotiate, and build relationships and offers opportunities to learn about revenue generation, forecasting, and sales management from the sales teams of organizations such as the WooSox, Connecticut Sun, and Milwaukee Bucks.
The Sport Marketing & Content Creation concentration will provide experience in sport brand management, digital asset creation, and social media management – skills continually in demand by every sports team and organization. Students will create content and develop strategy for organizations, including Protein Powerball and Our Bright Future, and use current market research to develop solutions for athletes, sport venues, athletic events, and sport brands.
Students in both programs will complete an internship, which in recent years has led to full-time positions at DraftKings, the Boston Red Sox, and the Connecticut Sun. “These opportunities prepare students for a seamless transition into sport sales or marketing careers upon graduation and provide an ‘test-classroom’ where students can practice skills and develop competencies,” notes Brittany Jacobs, Ph.D., chair of sport management at Nichols.
Anna Dyakiv, a 2014 graduate and trustee of Nichols College who is senior VIP member experience executive for the Boston Celtics, believes the new concentrations will make Nichols students more competitive. “Sport sales and marketing are the driving factors for generating financial success of any sports organization,” she says. “Content creation is rapidly growing – all leagues are extremely reliant on digital and virtual content, and I don’t see this going away anytime soon!”
Concentrations in Real Estate Management
Given the explosive demand in real estate, fueled by strong demographics, financial incentives, and record buyer engagement, real estate expertise has become increasingly valuable, both professionally and personally. A concentration in Real Estate Management at Nichols College opens the door to lucrative career paths in residential and commercial sales and leasing, appraisal and consulting, property and facilities management, development, and mortgage lending.
The concentration prepares students for real estate licensure, real estate law application, appraisal and market analysis methods, sales and negotiation strategies, and investment decision making. Coursework is enhanced through specialized internships and networking opportunities with real estate industry professionals.
“There are many diverse and intertwined real estate career paths that build on and complement each other, offering growth and the opportunity to have experience in several different aspects of the industry,” says Maryann Conrad, chair of hospitality management and director of the real estate concentration. “The real estate industry is never boring, ever challenging, and always changing. This new concentration will give students an edge with real estate know-how, licensure preparation, and practical experience.”
Nichols College Class of 2020 graduate Taylor Ward, a leasing consultant for Windsor Communities in Boston, appreciates the variety a career in real estate provides: “Not only am I leasing apartments and homes, but I get to plan events and open houses, give tours, and build relationships with residents and prospects – enabling me to combine my passion for events with the vast opportunities the real estate industry has to offer.”
For more information on these concentrations, contact the Nichols College Admissions Office at 800-470-3379.
About Nichols College
Within a supportive community, Nichols College transforms today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders through a dynamic, career-focused business and professional education.
Media Contacts
Denise Kelley
Writer/Editor
denise.kelley@nichols.edu
508-213-2219