Numerous perspectives and specialisations in sports economics
Lorena Stelzer completed her Bachelor's degree in Sports Economics three years ago and then decided to deepen her knowledge of economics in the Master's degree programme in Business Administration. She gained her first professional experience in the field of sports economics during an internship and still works as a student trainee in the Finance and Controlling department at SC Paderborn.
Lorena was already very familiar with commercial and business management tasks before starting her Bachelor's degree. Her path did not lead straight from school to university - she first completed a vocational training programme as an industrial clerk. Her great passion for sport then encouraged her to go on to study sports economics. Lorena discovered this enthusiasm as a child, when she was already playing football. And even today, as an enthusiastic runner, she explores the corners of Paderborn. So sport has been with her all her life - even outside the lecture theatre.
From an internship to a working student position at SC Paderborn 07
As a trained industrial clerk, Lorena was already familiar with the pure business world, so she chose a career in sport for her compulsory eight-week internship. She opted for an internship at SC Paderborn 07 in the organised sports department. Lorena's tasks included match day preparations, organisational tasks such as coordinating appointments and trips as well as marketing. The 27-year-old liked the individual areas so much that she continued working for SCP as a student trainee straight after her internship. Initially, she was responsible for marketing and corporate social responsibility and supported image campaigns. Lorena remembers a particular project in which three parties were involved at the same time: SC Paderborn 07, the regional REWE stores and StickerStars, a sticker album company. Although Lorena only supported this project superficially as an intern, she was given a comprehensive insight into various processes. ‘We had to provide image material that StickerStars then utilised,’ she explains. This required pictures of historical moments such as traditional teams, stadium developments or former jerseys. ‘When the booklets were finished, they could be purchased with stickers for ten weeks in regional REWE stores - so fans had to collect, stick and swap.’ Lorena was therefore always reminded of her work at SCP even outside of her internship, making the cooperation a unique experience for her as a football fan. Last year, she then moved to the club's finance department, where she now supports investment projects.
As a working student, the Master's student works 20 hours a day, three days a week. In the morning, she familiarises herself with the tasks at hand. In the afternoon, she usually has a brief discussion with her supervisor about other projects, which Lorena then works on independently for the most part. She can organise her work at SCP flexibly according to her lectures. She quickly found her feet in the finance department in particular, as her training had already prepared her for the commercial areas. Lorena also benefited from this during her studies: ‘I had the feeling that I didn't have to invest as much time in studying as many others.’
A passion for accounting and finance
Lorena's heart has been beating for business processes in particular since her A-levels, which she is now consolidating even further in her Master's degree in Business Administration following her apprenticeship and Bachelor's degree in Sports Economics. Nevertheless, she is certain that it was the perspective of sports science that helped her to gain a comprehensive understanding of her areas of activity as a working student. This area conveys the special characteristics of sport as well as the knowledge required to organise and evaluate sporting events. In addition, the sports enthusiast was able to try out numerous sports and learn about the differences between recreational and competitive sports. Working at SC Paderborn therefore combines Lorena's love of football from these two perspectives with her passion for accounting and finance.
Sport in the economy
In addition to the economics subjects, Lorena was particularly interested in the perspective of sports psychology during her Bachelor's degree. ‘I learnt a lot about performance pressure in sport here’, which she was able to transfer to numerous areas of life such as exams. Lorena is now also increasingly observing these sporting aspects outside of her studies. Especially in her work as a student trainee, she realises time and again that it's about more ‘than just kicking a ball around on the pitch.’ The sporting aspect is becoming more and more deeply established in the economy. Lorena also sees links to this connection in everyday life from a non-entrepreneurial perspective - namely in the work-life balance. For example, exercise and training to increase performance and resistance to stress are often recommended, ‘so sport is increasingly being brought into the world of work.’
Master's thesis and plans after graduation
Lorena is currently in the process of finding a topic for her Master's thesis, which she hopes to complete in the autumn. The 27-year-old already has a plan for afterwards: she is starting a position as a research assistant with the intention of doing a doctorate at Prof Dr Kabst's Chair of International Business. ‘With a degree in sports economics, you're still totally open and versatile,’ says Lorena, reflecting on her preference for research and working in business. She therefore has an important tip for students on the Bachelor's degree programme in Sports Economics: ‘Think about whether you want to do a Master's degree early on and take the relevant modules in good time.’
Lorena's view of sports economics
Sports economics in three words?
Versatile, balanced and interesting
What makes Sports Economics special?
Sports economics is special in that it combines the fields of sports and media studies as well as economics. You often get a one-sided view during your studies - this is broken up here.
Do you want that too?
Discover the diversity of economics in our Bachelor's degree programmes. Each degree programme usually lasts six semesters and prepares you for a career start or a postgraduate Master's degree.
More information about the
- Bachelor's degree programme in Sports Economics
- Master's degree programme in Business Administration
