Keshap Bajgai, who graduated from UA92 with a degree in Sports and Exercise Science, had the chance to take his first steps into the sports industry this summer with an internship at Lancashire Cricket Club (LCC).
Keshap, who completed his degree in two years on the accelerated programme, joined Lancashire Cricket’s Partnerships and Events Team, gaining real-world experience of what it’s like to work behind the scenes at a professional club.
We caught up with Keshap to hear what he learned during his internship, what advice he’d give to other students and the top lessons he’ll take forward into his career.
1. There’s so much that happens behind the scenes of a sports club.
I’ve been to plenty of sports matches as a fan, but being on the other side allowed me to see all the planning that goes on in the background. From delivering a first-class hospitality experience to engaging with partners, it made me realise how many moving parts are needed for the club to be successful. It gave me a new respect for people who work in the industry and showed me how much preparation goes into even the smallest details.
2. Communication is key in everything.
One of the biggest things I’ve noticed is how important good communication is between different teams. Partnerships, events, marketing, and operations all need to be on the same page for things to run smoothly. I saw how regular catch-ups, quick updates, and just talking things through made a massive difference. It made me realise that being confident in how you communicate, whether that’s by email, in a meeting, or face-to-face, is such a valuable skill in any job.
3. Organisation makes a huge difference.
This internship made me realise how important organisation is. Whether it was helping prepare for events, sorting out documents, or making sure partners had what they needed, being organised was key. I learnt that having a system in place such as checklists or just writing things down makes everything less stressful and more manageable. That feeling of ticking tasks off is also unmatched! It’s something I’ll take with me into future jobs.
4. Your confidence grows when you step outside your comfort zone.
At the start of the internship, I wasn’t sure how confident I’d feel in a professional environment, especially working with a professional club. But over time, I found myself getting more involved in conversations, asking questions and taking on responsibilities. Each time I stepped out of my comfort zone, my confidence grew. It taught me that you don’t have to know everything straight away, you just need to be open to learning and willing to try. My Lancashire Cricket Club colleagues were also very supportive which created the environment to challenge myself.
5. Internships build on what you learn in the classroom.
The biggest takeaway for me is how much an internship helps you apply your learning to real-life situations. I already had a strong foundation of subject knowledge and transferable skills from my degree, from organising information to using technology to present ideas. The internship then gave me the chance to apply these in a professional environment, developing these skills through hands-on experience, like problem-solving in the moment and collaborating as part of a team.
Thanks to the 92 Programme, I already had confidence in areas like teamwork, resilience and communication, which meant I could really focus on making the most of the opportunity. It’s shown me the value of combining classroom learning with real-world experience, and I’d definitely recommend an internship to anyone who gets the chance.
