Monterey Bay FC’s Career Exploration Program Connects Central Coast Students to Careers in Professional Sports
First-year initiative has welcomed more than 1,300 students from 20 schools
Monterey Bay FC is opening the doors of professional soccer to the next generation of Central Coast students through its Career Exploration Field Trip Program, a first-year initiative that has already welcomed more than 1,300 students from schools across Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties.
Through its first 16 field trips, the program has partnered with 20 schools, welcomed 1,312 participants, and hosted groups ranging from 20 to 190 people. With many schools already planning to return, the program has far exceeded expectations in its inaugural year.
Hosted at Cardinale Stadium, the Career Exploration Field Trip Program gives students a behind-the-scenes look at the many careers and departments required to operate a professional sports organization. The experience is designed to help students connect classroom learning with real-world career opportunities while demonstrating that working in professional sports extends far beyond becoming a professional athlete.
Students have the opportunity to tour Cardinale Stadium, watch team training, meet players and coaches, and hear directly from professionals working in areas including ticket sales, partnerships, marketing, community engagement, finance, stadium operations, media, sports medicine, coaching, player development and sporting administration.
“The goal is to show students that there are so many different ways to build a career in professional sports,” said Jorge Alejos, Monterey Bay FC’s Community Engagement Coordinator. “They can see firsthand how all of these different departments work together and hopefully leave with a better understanding of the opportunities that are available to them. The response from our schools has been incredibly positive, and we’re excited to continue growing the program.”
The program’s impact has been reinforced by feedback from participating educators, who have highlighted the opportunity for students to hear authentic stories from professionals, explore different career paths and experience the club’s training environment.
For students, one of the most popular components has been watching Monterey Bay FC training and interacting with players and coaching staff. Educators have also emphasized the value of exposing students to professionals with diverse backgrounds and career journeys.
The program also creates a full-circle experience for participating students. Each participant receives two tickets to a Monterey Bay FC match scheduled near the date of their field trip, allowing students to return to Cardinale Stadium and see the careers and departments they explored working together during a live professional soccer match.
The Career Exploration Field Trip Program has welcomed students from elementary, middle and high schools throughout the Central Coast, with plans to expand its reach to colleges and universities, career and technical education programs, leadership programs and community-based youth organizations. As the program grows, Monterey Bay FC also hopes to welcome schools and organizations from additional communities and regions, providing students with a unique opportunity to explore the wide range of careers that make professional sports possible.
As Monterey Bay FC continues to grow the program, each field trip is tailored to the needs and interests of the participating group. “We understand that every visit needs to be engaging and educational for the students,” said Alejos. “We work closely with educators to make sure the experience is appropriate for the students’ age and grade level while providing a fun, meaningful and valuable learning opportunity.”
The educators have been equally enthusiastic about the program, with many already signed up to return with another group. Sarah Parenteau, Education Specialist at Gavilan View Middle School, brought approximately 170 eighth-grade students to the MBFC Field Trip Program in early May.
“The MBFC Field Trip Program gave our students an unforgettable behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run a professional football club, from day-to-day operations to matchday preparation,” said Parenteau. “Connecting directly with the players and coaching staff truly inspired many of our students. They learned about the players’ journeys and the dedication it took to succeed both in the classroom and on the pitch.”
Back to School Night Match Returns to Cardinale Stadium
Monterey Bay FC will celebrate the start of the new school year with its Back to School Night Match, presented by Montage Health, on Saturday, August 29 at 7 p.m. at Cardinale Stadium when Monterey Bay FC hosts Sacramento Republic.
The Back to School Night Match will bring students, educators and families together for an afternoon of professional soccer and community celebration, providing another opportunity for local students to experience Cardinale Stadium and see the professional sports environment firsthand.
For information about the Monterey Bay FC Career Exploration Field Trip Program or to explore bringing a group to Cardinale Stadium, visit the club’s website or contact Jorge Alejos at jorge@montereybayfc.com or call 831-718-0052.
