“Finding a mentor who can assist you in navigating your way through your career is important. Finding a mentor who will not agree with everything you want to do, but push you to be better all the time is important to maintain a competitive advantage.”
Originally from Kelowna, BC, Kolin completed both a Bachelor of Human Kinetics from the University of British Columbia (2001) and a Masters of Human Kinetics (2004) with a focus in Sport Management. Currently completing his MBA at the University of Athabasca, Kolin spends his time as the President of internationally acclaimed sports-marketing firm Dynamic Sport Development Ltd. while maintaining positions with a number of other organizations such as Innovative Sports Ltd., community groups and sport organizations.
Education – both in and out of the classroom – has helped guide Kolin’s professional experience. Reflecting on how such educations informs his work today, Kolin says “The BHK helped me to understand and get work experience in the coaching/teaching area. The MHK helped me to understand how to ‘Manage’ in the business of sports, and the MBA is helping me to take the next level to think like an executive who is operating a business.” It is, however, “Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer” Kolin suggests to aspiring students as “the only way to get experience and get an in with a company as the jobs are highly competitive.”
Working in a position highly involved in the world of professional sports and high profile athletes, Kolin performs a job many only wish they could pursue. It is, however, as Kolin states, not that simple. Describing his position as “what you make of it … little bit of management, little bit of entrepreneur, little bit of get your hands dirty and do the jobs that no one else wants to do,” the job is not without its pressures.
As Kolin explains, “people think that having the opportunity to hang out with high profile athletes, and work with both professional and amateur sports teams is all fun.” This is, however, a misconception since, as he goes on to say, it is often the case that “No one really sees the stress that is incurred because the work is more in the spot light than most jobs, and people are so passionate about sports it hits home a little harder when things do not go well.”
It is, however, a dynamic job. Commenting on his day-to-day, Kolin describes how “It is a highly networking and relationship building job”- one where, he states, “no two days are ever the same.” Building on years of experience at all levels of sports, Kolin has fostered a network of opportunities. Taking advantage of those connections, he suggests that “The biggest advantage I have had in my career is that I have always been in a position to walk through new doors when they are open.”
Kolin’s advice for getting navigating your career path? Find a mentor: “I believe the best way to gain experience is through mentorship. Finding a mentor who can assist you in navigating your way through your career is important. Finding a mentor who will not agree with everything you want to do, but push you to be better all the time is important to maintain a competitive advantage.”
