The Grind:

Kareek spent two years interning with the Sixers while attending night classes at Temple. His primary responsibility was assisting with managing the team’s partners, organizing game day activations, and carrying out other duties such as picking up signage and escorting clients. Despite juggling games, classes, a 9 to 5 internship, and a job at the mall, he could also shift his intern duties to focus more on the partnership sales side. Kareek built a strong skillset and network in the NBA, which led him to move to the Miami Heat for three years. “Sometimes, opportunities don't directly present themselves, and you must take control of your career. "Success may require you to leave your hometown and open the door to new opportunities.” For example, when no role was available after graduation, he leveraged his relationships and network to create his path. This approach helped Kareek find his first full-time role in the Heat's strategy department. His role was to develop all client-facing partnership materials for both the sales and activation teams and act as a liaison to other internal departments. Eventually, he transitioned into an Account Executive position, placing him on the partnership sales side full-time -- which had been his goal. Years later, it was a full-circle moment for him to return to work with the Sixers, having been an intern and a lifelong fan.

Wired to Hunt:

Kareek believes that he was naturally “wired to hunt.” When he thought about what he would enjoy doing from a work perspective, he realized that sales would satisfy his need to be creative and competitive. Although it wasn't always easy, Kareek took the mindset that there was a lot for him to learn, and he focused on digging into the nuances of the business and analyzing the industry. He constantly sharpens his skills and takes a holistic approach to understanding what teams are doing from a partnership perspective, not just watching the game but also paying attention to what the partners are doing during the games. Kareek emphasizes that one must have the patience and persistence to outwork others. “If you wait for things to come to you, your chances of success decrease.” Looking back on his early years, he understood the importance of making things happen. It would be best if you made yourself and your contributions undeniable. "Ensure that your worth is evident enough to be easily communicated to others."

The Common Thread:

As someone who strives to add value, it's crucial to understand that more than being present in a room is required. No matter who you're talking to, you should always aim to contribute something of value to the conversation. You can find the unique perspective you bring to the table, even if you're the youngest or the only person of color in the room. Kareek is currently focused on forging new Sixers partnerships that leverage the team’s powerful brand to help partners reach new and vast audiences. These partnerships amplify brands through visible TV exposure, social media, philanthropy, and in-arena activations. The key performance indicators (KPIs) for these partnerships are increased brand awareness, customer acquisition, and meeting fans where they are by leveraging digital platforms to grow partners' social media presence. Kareek believes that finding value in his perspective, having confidence in his abilities, and leaving a lasting impression on those he interacts with are the common threads that will help him achieve his ultimate goal of becoming a team president in one of the five major sports leagues.

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