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Hua ZHAO: A sporting career since the Girondins de Bordeaux international department
Hua ZHAO (TBS Education 2018), originally from Shenzhen, China, began her career in France following a master's degree at TBS Education.
Her professional career spans five years in the sports industry, a field she is deeply passionate about and has the chance to turn into a fulfilling career. Hua began at Bordeaux Girondins as an intern in the Digital Department.
Her interest in sport developed from an early age. His parents always encouraged him to explore different sports (swimming, running, touch rugby...), believing in the positive impact on self-confidence and personality development. Initially, sport was a hobby for her.
When she applied to TBS Education, her goal was to study Sport Management in M2. Unfortunately, this option was no longer available when she entered the Master's program. So she opted for the International Marketing course. This choice gave her the opportunity to work on various projects in different sectors.
She was lucky enough to do her internship with a Ligue 1 soccer club, the Girondins de Bordeaux. A first experience that she liked, she started in the "Digital Department" during the launch of the club's official account. This enabled her to work on developing a content plan targeting an international audience, particularly Asian. Her days are punctuated by a variety of different assignments. Hyperstimulation is inevitable in sports-related jobs, requiring responsiveness and production within limited timeframes, depending on the turn of events, which are sometimes impossible to anticipate.
These five years enabled her to discover herself. She was able to identify her strengths and weaknesses. Within the club, she has had the chance to work with experienced people in various fields, from whom she learns a lot.
In her evolution within the club, there have been three transitions.
The first is her move from her internship in the Digital Department to her hiring in the International Development Department, a change she strongly desired. In September 2018, during a one-to-one meeting, she explained her ambitions as well as her plans. Several international projects were then entrusted to her.
At the end of 2021, she asks for another meeting to take stock and request new responsibilities. During this second meeting, she recalls a phrase her father always used to say to her: "At the moment, you're like a young player in the reserve team. If you want to join the first team, you have to prove yourself at every training session and every match". So she sells herself to show that she deserves to evolve more than anyone else. In January 2022, she becomes International Development Project Manager.
The last one arrives in May 2022. Her responsibilities are to shift more towards the domestic market due to relegation. The Managing Director asks her if she wants to manage the Business Intelligence segment, Marketing, as well as various strategic projects covering commercial, CSR and administrative aspects. She accepts without hesitation.
This job gives her the opportunity to work alongside truly passionate people. In the office, when the team wins, the atmosphere the following Monday is joyful. On the other hand, after a defeat, the atmosphere can be a little gloomy.
Beyond the work atmosphere, sporting performance has a considerable influence on the market and commercial value. This is why she tries to anticipate the value of sponsors and the influence of international broadcasting. While many elements on the sporting side are beyond her control, on the administrative side she can anticipate different scenarios and make the necessary preparations.
Finally, Hua leaves the club at the end of November 2023. It was a very enriching experience for her, both in terms of her professional and personal development, essentially to better understand herself.
If, like Hua, you're interested in a career in the sports world, here are some of her tips:
First of all, try to do as many internships as possible in this field, whether at a club, federation or sports agency. The sports industry encompasses a variety of roles, including marketing, ticketing, data analysis, events, finance, corporate social responsibility (CSR), communications, etc., so find one that suits you.
Secondly, passion alone is not enough, you need to invest time on a daily basis to improve your skills as well as your knowledge of the sports industry. Many documents, reports, etc. are available free of charge online on club or league websites, or on LinkedIn. This will help you with your culture and your understanding of the issues, objectives and partnerships already underway, for example. You'll make all the difference.
Finally, it's crucial to establish good work habits right from the start of your career. This means being organized and rigorous. Another essential habit is to always apply yourself and give your best. "I learned this when the International Development Director once said to me: 'You never know who's going to read your e-mail or your work. That was an important turning point, as I became more rigorous, aiming for excellence", says Hua. This mindset has helped her stand out from the crowd.
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