Making the Team: Summer Career Institute Provides Inside Look at the Business of Baseball

July 30, 2026

Few things typify the long, lazy days of summer better than a visit to the ballpark. But how many of us really consider the professionals working off the field and behind the scenes who make the experience enjoyable for fans?

For the average fan, a big-league sports stadium is a venue for entertainment, civic pride, community, and when all goes well, celebration. But it’s also a workplace, employing an army of talented professionals who are responsible for countless critical operations. What that means for those aspiring to a career in the sports industry is that every ball club represents hundreds of opportunities beyond the baselines.

Offering a window into opportunities like these is just what our Summer Career Institute (SCI) does for the young people in our care. Through site visits, networking opportunities, and conversations with professionals from a variety of industries, they gain exposure to career paths they may never have considered before.

With the Chicago White Sox in the middle of a six-game road trip during the time of our visit, our friends at the White Sox organization had a chance to welcome our young people to the park and offer them an inside look at the business side of baseball.

During their visit to Rate Field, they met with leaders from several departments within the organization and discovered that in professional sports, even when your team is out of town, there’s a lot of work to be done. The panel discussion also reinforced the lesson taught within other SCI experiences that success rarely follows a straight line.

Representatives managing ticket sales, corporate partnerships, communications, public relations, and marketing shared their career stories and answered questions from our young people. Although each speaker arrived at the White Sox through different educational and career paths, many emphasized the importance of simply keeping yourself open to opportunities.

“I didn’t think about sales until later in college,” said Senior Client Service Executive Nick Kapetan. He explained that his career developed in ways he hadn’t anticipated and encouraged youth to keep an open mind.

“Don’t be afraid to say yes to opportunities,” he advised.

Corporate Partnership Activation Manager Genevieve Johnson wanted to be an athlete before looking into a marketing career within the sports industry. She said she was grateful she didn’t land what she had imagined was her dream job right out of school because it led her to the role she has now.

“Your career doesn’t have to be one set track,” she said.

That message resonated with many of the young people, who are currently exploring college options, career interests, and plans for the future through SCI’s summer programming. The professionals repeatedly stressed that career growth often comes from remaining flexible and looking beyond immediate goals.

“After you’ve built a foundation, be open to opportunities and look at the bigger picture,” Johnson advised.

The discussion shed light on the many different careers that exist behind the scenes of a Major League Baseball organization. Youth learned how corporate partnership teams work with businesses, how marketing departments create fan experiences, and how communications professionals use stories to connect audiences with players and the organization.

“PR is the storytelling department,” said Senior Coordinator of Public Relations Special Events Kimberly Marroquin. “We help show the players as human beings on and off the field.”

Among the panelists, Marroquin’s road to professional sports was perhaps the most unique, having received an education in criminal justice and social work. A role early in her career with security at the park led to an internship that opened doors to the team’s public relations office. Marroquin said while you have to have a plan, it can always change.

The conversation helped illustrate that a love of sports can lead to careers far beyond playing the game itself. Several panelists shared backgrounds that ranged from marketing and communications to social services and mental health, demonstrating that many skills and educational paths can lead to meaningful work.

Our young people came prepared with thoughtful questions about internships, leadership, creativity, and what employers look for in future candidates. One of the most important lessons centered on qualities that can’t easily be taught.

“Everything is teachable, but it’s hard to teach passion and commitment,” said Marketing and Activations Manager Thomas Lotspeich. He explained that many roles in the organization require energy and passion, and people who put fans first. “A servant leader,” he said.

He added that employers often look beyond grades when evaluating entry-level applicants.

“Internships, volunteer work, leadership positions—those experiences show passion and energy,” he said.

When one our young women, Simone, asked how special promotional nights and fan experiences come to life, the marketing team described how they listen closely to fans and constantly look for new ways to engage the community.

With 81 home games each season, Lotspeich explained, there are ample opportunities to test new ideas and discover what resonates with supporters. The key, they said, is keeping fans at the center of every decision.

Another youth, Julian, asked panelists what they would tell their high-school selves if they could talk to them today.

The panelists all remarked what an insightful question it was before offering an answer.

“It’s okay to learn from mistakes,” Marroquin said.

Lotspeich encouraged youth to embrace their individuality.

“To be successful, find what makes you different or special,” he said. “You can’t be someone else.”

Like all worthwhile life lessons, that awareness didn’t come right away. “It took a lot of self-reflection to figure that out,” he added.

Johnson highlighted the importance of seeking guidance from trusted adults and mentors.

“Get the knowledge that adults around you have,” she said. “You don’t have to figure everything out on your own.”

Perhaps one of the most memorable lessons focused on leadership. While many people associate leadership with titles and positions, the White Sox professionals emphasized that true leadership is often displayed in small, everyday actions.

“The best leaders do the small things,” Lotspeich said. “They’re the people who pick up a chip bag off the ground,” no matter what their position or status at the organization.

Throughout the visit, Mercy Home’s young people demonstrated the curiosity and engagement that SCI seeks to cultivate. Their thoughtful questions prompted meaningful discussions and earned praise from the professionals they met.

As the session concluded, the panelists left youth with a final message about perseverance and its rewards.

“Say yes to what you’re comfortable doing in all levels of sports,” Marroquin said. “There’s a lot of work to be done and not enough hands.”

Johnson echoed the sentiment. “Make the most of every opportunity and you’ll find your path,” she said.

And when obstacles arise?

“’No’ is not the end of the world,” Lotspeich reminded them. “Keep going.”

We thank our friends at the Chicago White Sox organization for sharing their experiences with our young people. Conversations like this are exactly what the Summer Career Institute is designed to provide. By connecting with professionals, exploring different industries, and hearing honest stories about success, setbacks, and personal growth, Mercy Home’s young people gain not only career insights, but also ideas about what paths to follow and what steps they might take next. As they continue their summer of learning, each new connection helps broaden their perspective on what the future can hold.