Interested in career possibilities after participating in LKL Academy Powered by Citadele? Make yourself familiar with some success stories from the recent project graduates
Photo: Betsafe-LKL

Interested in career possibilities after participating in LKL Academy Powered by Citadele? Make yourself familiar with some success stories from the recent project graduates

Author: LKL.lt
2024-10-11

LKL Academy Powered by Citadele project, which will soon begin its 10th season, is well-known for being one of the best places to start your career in the basketball industry - at least 10 project graduates are currently working in the league clubs. "The selection process is becoming quite a “pleasant” headache - thanks to the particularly successful recent editions of the LKL Academy powered by Citadele, whose graduates occupy prestigious positions in the league's clubs - for example, team managers or commercial managers, so consequently every year we receive more and more people in the initial selection process. While it may be true that there aren't as many job occupations available in this field compared to other industries, but motivated, ambitious, and creative project graduates pursue their passion and find their way into the world of basketball management, communication, marketing, and other fields”, said Raminta Valentaitė, lead of the LKL academy powered by Citadele.

Interested in how is life going after participating in LKL Academy Powered by Citadele? The answer is right here – make yourself familiar with some success stories from the recent project graduates.

Astijus Pūkas (BC Wolves Twinsbet team manager): "Every day at work is like a new chapter in a book that never repeats itself“

Astijus Pūkas, a graduate of the 8th edition of the LKL Academy powered by Citadele, who was awarded an incentive scholarship, currently works in the Wolves Twinsbet organization: "I am responsible for many things that affect the entire sports team - players and coaches. I organize their arrival in Lithuania, accommodation, help them integrate into the team and the city. I provide all the necessary information and my everyday goal is to make their life in Vilnius as comfortable and easy as possible. I also take care of team trips both in Lithuania and Europe, for example, I plan flights, transport, hotels and agenda. I would most accurately describe myself as a helper and consultant, available to every member of the team 24/7 for anything that matters to them. The most interesting part of this job is that not a single day of work has been the same. Each day is like a new chapter in a book that never repeats itself and each time brings a different lesson and experience."

Recalling his internship in the Lithuanian Basketball League, A. Pūkas said: "The importance of the LKL Academy powered by Citadele to my career is undeniable. Without this practice, I don't think I would be where I am now, being able to contribute to professional basketball not only in Lithuania, but also in Europe. The opportunities and experiences of being a project participant have definitely had a huge impact on my short, but very interesting career. I sincerely recommend everyone who dreams or is thinking of working in the world of basketball to join the LKL Academy powered by Citadele and test yourself, because this experience is definitely not something typical."

 

Gustė Andriulionytė (BC Žalgiris partnership projects assistant: "I am grateful to the LKL Academy powered by Citadele for working at BC Žalgiris"

Gustė Andriulionytė, who works in BC Žalgiris marketing department, spoke in more detail about her duties and the things she likes most at work: "My job consists of two parts: work in the office and work at BC Žalgiris home matches. While working in the office, I prepare reports for BC Žalgiris partners, ensuring smooth execution of contracts and obligations, updating visuals, researching data, reachability, and more. While working during the games, I check the LED screens in the arena to make sure they are showing all of our partners' promotional clips. In this way, we can guarantee that all advertisements are properly broadcast during the matches, which the spectators can see not only live in the arena, but also on TV screens. What I like most at work is seeing the growth of our organization itself. It is important for me to contribute to the club with the largest fan base in Lithuania, so every, even the smallest work, becomes extremely significant, because we understand what colors we represent and what responsibility we bear. This encourages us to constantly improve."

G. Andriulionytė also remembered her participation in the LKL Academy powered by Citadele project: "I am grateful to this project for my work at BC Žalgiris. During the season, I had the opportunity to do an internship at the club, I got to know the people who work here, who have now become my colleagues. Lectures, assignments, and sincere conversations at the LKL Academy powered by Citadele encouraged me to achieve my goals and try myself in new areas that seemed difficult to reach until then. So, for those who love basketball and want to be in this industry, the LKL Academy powered by Citadele is the best choice."

 

Lukas Pupeikis (BC Rytas commercial manager and manager of youth teams): "LKL Academy powered by Citadele gave me the first opportunity to touch the world of basketball"

Lukas Pupeikis, who became the MVP of the 8th LKL Academy powered by Citadele, has been working in the administration of BC Rytas for more than a year in several different areas: "My main work is commercial management (I prepare proposals for sponsors, contracts and other similar things) and management of youth teams. BC Rytas has two youth teams: BC Rytas-2 and BC Rytas-MRU, which compete in the second and third Lithuanian basketball leagues. I am also the manager of volunteers - during the main team home matches I coordinate volunteers, distribute tasks and ensure that all tasks assigned to them are done efficiently."

After becoming the MVP of the 8th season of LKL Academy powered by Citadele, L. Pupeikis emphasized the importance of an internship in the Lithuanian Basketball League for the start of his career: "The LKL Academy powered by Citadele gave me the first opportunity to touch the world of basketball, to visit and perform different tasks in various arenas of the LKL clubs.“

Otilija Klara Galvelytė (BC 7Bet – Lietkabelis visual communication manager): "While being a part of the organization, you get an exclusive chance to experience what kind of connection binds the whole team"

Otilija Klara Galvelytė, a graduate of the 9th season of LKL academy powered by Citadele,who  was awarded a special prize for outstanding contribution to the activities of the league teams, shares her career trajectory: "My journey in the world of basketball began last fall, when I filled out the application form of the LKL Academy Powered by Citadele. After starting my internship here, I immediately received an offer to do an additional internship in the BC 7bet – Lietkabelis.Throughout the season, I worked both with academy projects and with the Panevėžys team, and after the end of the season, I received an offer to start working officially at the club. Currently, I am visual communication manager, responsible for creating content for social networks both at home and away matches.

When asked about work, O.K. Galvelytė told more about behind-the-scenes of visual communication management: "My work does not only take place during matches. Everything starts with the arrival of new players to Lithuania, recording their first moments in the team. I also participate in team training sessions and various other team activities, thus giving fans the opportunity to get to know the basketball players‘ everyday life more closely. This season I already had my first trip to the Eurocup match in Ankara. This is probably the best memory of this season so far."

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