<p><span class="p-body">Nicole Landeta is Ecuadorian-American, and even though she was born and raised in Queens, NY, she was surrounded by a wealth of culture and tradition. Always tied to her roots and family, she considers herself a very active person that looks for adventure any place she visits.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">She was drawn to NYU SPS because she loved the guided support she enjoyed from advisors when she was originally just gathering information about applying. &quot;I felt like I could ask any question and my advisor always tried to help,&quot; she recalls. &quot;Beyond support, I loved the different classes that my program offered. I felt like it would help me narrow down what I wanted to pursue in the sports field once I graduated.&quot;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">&quot;I've loved taking classes at NYU, the professors teach you in an engaging way and they give great inside knowledge on what the industry is like from their own perspective and career experience,&quot; continues Landeta. &quot;I've loved being surrounded by international students and being able to connect with people from different backgrounds. There are always events to go to to either expand your network or integrate with other students.&quot;</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span class="p-body">Landeta took two Real World classes at NYU SPS, and she describes them as superb hands-on experience. Not only did they help her connect with people in the sports industry, they taught her how to work with her classmates—as most of the time, she was required to work as part of a group. This allowed her to learn from her classmates as well, as they all brought in different ideas to the table.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">For both experiences, she had to present a project she was proud of to a sports business professional, and they gave her opportunities to go to a Brooklyn Nets game and be a part of a fundraising event for the Paris YMCA. &quot;By far, the best hands-on experience I could have had was the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/experience/how-youll-learn.html" target="_blank">Global Field Intensive (GFI)</a> India program,&quot; she intimates. &quot;Having the opportunity to travel to India and experience what the sport ecosystem is like there and network with business professionals was a once in a lifetime experience.&quot;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Of course, the application to the real world doesn't stop there. In fact, according to Landeta, In every course she's taken, a major topic of discussion revolves around what is currently going on in the sports industry currently – sometimes simply staying up to date with news and media universe, other times discussing them in class, and even creating projects based on that. &quot;Class projects and discussions have helped me be in the know-all of what's happening and discuss what is to come,&quot; surmises Landeta.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span class="p-body">Landeta believes that NYU SPS effectively taught her how to apply what she learned in the classroom to the real world. It also opened the door for her to a network of business professionals, as well as professors and advisors, available to guide her as she develops her career. Through the Wasserman center, for example, she has evolved in her interview, resume writing, and networking skills.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Looking to the future, she hopes to further use my coursework knowledge to expand in the sports industry as well as stay in touch with the network she has created at NYU. &quot;I would like to pursue a career in player development, starting out by working in youth development in sport leagues and academies,&quot; she muses. &quot;I want to aid in everything that is needed for the success of an athlete, on and off the field. I would like to use my business knowledge from NYU and my prior psychology knowledge to thrive in this field.&quot;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Landeta's advice for prospective new students would be to use all the resources that are available at NYU and to take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way. &quot;Try to go to as many events as you can and be open to meeting and talking to new people no matter where in your journey you are,&quot; she urges.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Nicole is one of many NYU SPS students who embody the dynamic and interdisciplinary nature of the&nbsp; <a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/academic-divisions-and-departments/preston-robert-tisch-institute-for-global-sport.html" target="_blank">Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport</a>. Learn how to pursue an <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-global-sport.html" target="_blank">MS in Global Sport</a> today.</span></p>