Meet Ron Jordan, the New Jersey-based senior studying Business and Entertainment, specializing in Agency. Kogod’s Bachelor of Science in Business and Entertainment (BSBAE) degree integrates business classes such as marketing, finance and accounting with students’ chosen entertainment specialization. Students may focus on agency, audio technology, or music performance.

This past summer, Jordan worked as an intern in the Music Sponsorship Department at the Creative Artists Agency (CAA), a Los Angeles-based talent and sports agency who represent artists like Beyoncé, Kanye West, and Bruce Springsteen. The Music Sponsorship Department pairs artists with brands to initiate sponsorship, endorsement and brand ambassador deals. Jordan said that it was, in many ways, “very similar to something you would find in marketing departments of companies or advertising agencies. The only difference was that the products were some of the biggest musicians in the world.”

Jordan credits his Kogod classes and professors for helping him secure his CAA internship.

“I never would have applied to CAA if it hadn’t been for the BAE program. Professor Simson, the program’s director, helped me learn about talent agencies. During my internship, I used the tools I learned to think strategically about matching brands and clients together,” Jordan says.

Jordan is looking forward to spending his last year at Kogod exploring the city (“I'm really hoping I can tour the White House!”) and catching up with friends. He’s also excited to work with the Student Union Board to organize AMFest, an arts and music festival held at American University.

One of the classes he is most excited for is Introduction to Sports Management (KSB-396), taught by Professor Dawn Ridley, which focuses on the role of finance, law, marketing, and communications in the sports industry.

“Professor Ridley has a lot to offer. She’s worked at DC United and at the NFL Player’s Association, and is the founder of First Sports Jobs. The class sounds like a great springboard into the sports industry.”

In addition to his classes and work on the Student Union Board, he is also working as a peer counselor at the Kogod Center for Career Development (KCCD). “A lot of life is about paying it forward. I've learned a great deal during my time at Kogod and I think it would be great to help other students have the same experience I did. .”

He has some final advice for those students and future Kogod undergrads: “Take advantage of [AU] as much as possible. Step outside of your comfort zone and explore your passions.”

Learn more about our Bachelor of Science in Business and Entertainment Degree.