From being a volunteer volleyball coach to a becoming a certified track coach for Manhattan Junior High School, Kim Essary has been on track to work in sports since high school.
Essary’s played softball, basketball, volleyball, track and field, and soccer since the age of 5. She’s shattered her nose twice, broken every finger on her right hand, has tendonitis in both knees and right shoulder, and has had two concussions due to sports, but her love for it has not decreased any.
Though these injuries have kept her from playing sports, they have not kept her from pursuing a career in the field she loves.
Essary is currently working towards a career in sports management.
HerCampusUIC: What drew you to sports management?
K.E.- I’ve always wanted to be in sports. I’ve been involved in sports just about all my life, so it only felt natural. Originally, I wanted to be an athletic trainer—I was an assistant trainer for all four years of high school—but then I discovered the management aspect of it through a sports medicine class and it caught my interest.
HerCampusUIC: How are you working towards your goal?
K.E.- I’m majoring in marketing here, and want to go to grad school for sports management. Right now, I’m working for the UIC Department of Intercollegiate Athletics in their marketing department.
HerCampusUIC: How did you get your job at the Athletics Department?
K.E.- I went in for an interview with Shawn Sullivan, the Assistant Athletic Director of Campus Marketing and Game Operations, and I guess I did well because now I have the job.
HerCampusUIC: So, what exactly are your duties?
K.E.- Basically, I help advertise sports games, give away free stuff, and work on the game operations.
HerCampusUIC: What’s the best part about your job?
K.E.- I have had the opportunity to meet people I would not have otherwise. I got to meet Major Wright and DJ Moore (they’re Chicago Bears players for those of us who don’t follow football) at a UIC Women’s Basketball game and took pictures with them. It was definitely the highlight of the game for me.
HerCampusUIC: What would be your ultimate dream job?
K.E.- I would love to work for major league baseball team in their front office on the management end, preferably the White Sox, but if not them, then I would want to work for the Bears.
HerCampusUIC: Do you have a sports idol?
K.E.- The White Sox. During baseball season, I can list off stats for everything and anything Sox related. I try to watch every single game and have been to over two hundred home games. Actually, my grandpa made me promise that I would never step foot in Wrigley Field to prove that I’m a true Sox fan.