The world of sport has always been an integral part of my life, from watching competitions to engaging in sport myself. It has shaped who I am today and how I see the world around me. So, when the opportunity to intern at The Centre for Sport Capacity (CSC) came up, I knew it was the perfect fit for me to continue my journey within the sports sector.
Hello! I am Aranesh Pahwa, a fourth-year Business Communication student at Brock University, also minoring in Digital Culture. Coming from India, sport in my home country brought people together in a powerful way, fostering community and a sense of belonging. Now, as an international student, I have the opportunity to contribute to the sport community here in Canada through my internship at the CSC. Joining the CSC team felt like stepping into a hub of creativity, collaboration, and innovation, where each day presented new opportunities to learn and contribute to the sport community.
My Brock Experience: A Foundation for Growth
My time at Brock University has been a transformative journey, both academically and personally. As a Business Communication student with a minor in Digital Culture, I have had the opportunity to explore a wide range of topics that have helped me develop the skills necessary for success in today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving world. Brock’s unique focus on experiential learning and collaboration has been central to my growth as a communicator and has prepared me to take on challenging roles like my internship at the CSC.
How my Brock Experience led me to the CSC
It was through Brock’s strong emphasis on experiential learning that I first learned about the opportunity at the CSC. As part of my program, I was encouraged to seek internships that aligned with my career goals and interests. The course COMM 4F00 has helped me a lot .The CSC stood out as an organization that not only offered hands-on experience but also combined two of my passions: sport and communication.
The support from my professor Dr Kate Cassidy, along with my growing interest in sport management, pushed me to apply for the role. I knew that the skills I had developed during my time at Brock, especially in digital marketing and event planning, would make me a strong candidate for the position.
How I Came Across the CSC: A Perfect Match for my Passion
As someone deeply passionate about the intersection of sport and communication, I was always on the lookout for opportunities that could combine these interests. While exploring internship options, I came across the CSC through a fellow student and became immediately intrigued by their unique approach to blending research with real-world impact in the sport sector. The CSC offered exactly what I was looking for—a place where I could apply my skills while contributing to meaningful projects in sport management.
What Drew me to the CSC
The moment I learned more about the CSC, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Several factors drew me to the Centre:
- Hands-on Experience in Sport Management: The CSC’s focus on experiential learning and direct involvement in sport-related projects immediately appealed to me. I was excited by the idea of contributing to projects that would have a real-world impact on the sport community in Niagara and beyond. The combination of research, marketing, and event management aligned perfectly with my interests.
- A Platform for Growth: I saw the CSC as a place where I could grow both professionally and personally. The opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals like Dr. Julie Stevens and Grace Nelson, who are leaders in their fields, meant that I would be able to learn from the best while also bringing my own ideas to the table.
- Contributing to the Sport Sector: Having grown up in India, where sport has the power to unite people, I wanted to be part of an organization that used sport as a tool for positive change. The CSC’s commitment to supporting sport organizations through research and practical solutions resonated with my personal values and career goals.
Why I was Excited to Join the CSC
What truly excited me about becoming part of the CSC was the chance to apply my academic knowledge in a real-world setting while working on projects that mattered. From the start, I knew that this would be an internship where I could contribute meaningfully, develop new skills, and be part of an organization that’s making a difference in the sport sector.
The variety of tasks—ranging from social media management to event planning—also drew me in. The prospect of working on projects like the SportService initiative and helping organize events and workshops.
Skills I Bring to the CSC
Throughout my academic and extracurricular experiences, I’ve honed skills valuable to my role at the CSC:
- Digital Marketing and Social Media: Managing social media for Brock student organizations, including the Indian Student Association, has sharpened my digital marketing abilities, from creating engaging content to tracking analytics and enhancing audience engagement.
- Event Planning and Coordination: Organizing events has built my expertise in budgeting, logistics, promotion, and on-site execution skills essential in coordinating CSC activities.
- Communication and Collaboration: As a Business Communication student, clear communication and teamwork are strengths I rely on for coordinating with stakeholders and promoting events at CSC.
- Leadership and Problem-Solving: Serving as treasurer and president of the Brock Indian Student Association developed my problem-solving and multitasking abilities, which I apply to leadership roles within CSC projects, driving team success.
As I move forward, I am excited to continue applying and learning the skills I have gained here tofor future roles and challenges. The CSC is truly a platform for growth, collaboration, and impact—an experience I will carry with me throughout my career journey. I look forward to seeing how the knowledge and connections I will build during my time at the CSC will shape my future in sport management and beyond.
Sport has been a major part my life since I was young. I have played a range of sports and have participated at national level in Field Hockey and Roller Hockey. Also, I started swimming at a young age and competed in state level championships throughout my time in secondary school. Swimming was the first sport where I experienced success. Our Roller Hockey team was a national champion back in 2019, maintaining an ongoing streak of being champions from the past 6 years. My biggest achievement was when I got selected as one of the top 24 players to represent my country. Sport can be a positive way to promote physical fitness and teamwork throughout the world. The journey has been quite long, but my passion for sport will always remain the same, and my passion for sport is one of the reasons why I am excited to intern at 
As I near the end of my internship at the Centre for Sport Capacity (CSC), I find myself looking back on the incredible journey of personal and professional growth I’ve experienced over the past eight months. From day one, I was welcomed into a welcoming environment that not only encouraged me to excel but also provided me with the tools and opportunities to do so. As I move on from this chapter of my life, I extend my gratitude to Grace Nelson and Dr. Julie Stevens. Throughout my time at the CSC, their constant support and willingness to offer guidance has been amazing and I appreciate them continuously presenting me with opportunities for growth and learning. This internship has exceeded all my expectations, and I couldn’t be more thankful for this opportunity.
