Behind the Internship: How a GIS Student Landed a Photography Role at Soccerex Miami

In July, the Global Institute of Sport announced a new set of exciting internship opportunities, in partnership with Soccerex Miami 2026.

Since 1996, Soccerex has hosted events and conferences that bring together influential figures from across the football world, including governing bodies, clubs, and industry partners. As part of our commitment to producing industry-ready graduates, GIS partnered with Soccerex to offer 10 placements for students to support the event.

MSc International Sports Management student Taylor Brown documented her experience for GIS’s social media channels. One of the successful applicants, Taylor travelled from Maryland to Miami, ready to support the event as a volunteer. However, her experience turned out to extend beyond that of a typical internship.

Professional Athlete, Professional Photographer

A former Division 1 college athlete, Taylor has played professional basketball across four continents. She has also enjoyed worked in coaching, commentary, and broadcast operations, allthough her true passion lies in cinematography. In 2016, she launched her content creation and production company Taylor Brown 331. The company covers everything from documentary filmmaking to professional headshots, and she continues to run it today.

Alongside these pursuits, Taylor works as a Studio Manager for BBC News in the US. Her roles require a diverse range of skills, many of which she feels she has developed through her studies at GIS. These skills also helped prepare her for the volunteer opportunity at Soccerex Miami.

Or at least, what sh initially thought was a volunteer role. As Taylor told GIS, the opportunity unexpectedly turned into a paid position: “I was lucky enough to get hired by Soccerex to provide photography coverage throughout the event.”

“My responsibilities included capturing photos, editing them quickly, and uploading them in real time so the Soccerex media team could post content across their social media channels while the events were happening.”

Building Connections in the Industry

To date, GIS has used the term ‘networking’ across 101 different pages and articles. It is a common term for good reason. We aim to underline its importance to those starting out in the industry, but many of these references come from people already working in the sector, who view relationship-building as an industry necessity rather than simply a recommendation.

Taylor’s experiences at events ranging from Soccerex to Global Sports Summits have given her a strong foundation for echoing this message. She adds that one of the key benefits of these extracurricular opportunities “is that you can build real connections over time.”

“During my time in Miami, I saw some of the same people I had previously connected with at the Miami Summit and the C-Suite Executive Course. I was able to strengthen those relationships and have conversations about potential media opportunities in the future. 

“Meeting new people was a highlight of the experience,” she added. “Expanding my network was overall fun, exciting, and motivating. This experience inspired me to continue travelling, meeting new people, and applying for more opportunities that align with my skills.”

Global Sports Summits: Why Attend?

When referring to the Miami Summit, Taylor is highlighting one of GIS’ Global Sports Summits, which she recently attended. At these summits, Taylor says she has “learned the importance of working quickly and efficiently”. This quality has earned her high praise from summit host and BBC reporter Mark Clemmit, who described Taylor as “A silent assassin. The best sort of photographer.”

When discussing the factors that helped her stand out as an applicant for the Soccerex opportunity, Taylor identified her experience at these summits as a key contributor.

“Working with GIS during the Miami Summit prepared me for this opportunity. I learned how to work in a similar fast-paced environment where I needed to capture, edit, and deliver content efficiently. I was prepared for this moment and able to work quickly while still delivering quality content.”

Having also supported GIS’s C-Suite Executive Course in 2025, Taylor was able to demonstrate the high standard of her work, examples of which can be found across Soccerex’s social media channels. 

“I think future students should prioritise keeping their CV’s up to date and highlighting any experience they’ve had with GIS. It demonstrates that you’re driven, open to networking, reliable and someone the team can trust for future opportunities.”

Foundation for the Future

Having recently completed the first year of her part-time studies, Taylor now looks ahead to her second year, as well as the career opportunities she hopes her qualifications will help unlock.

“What I am looking forward to most going into my second year at GIS is becoming a stronger student in the classroom, hopefully attending the Australia and Toronto Summits, working another internship and graduating! 

“My goal by 2027 is to work as a video coordinator, photographer, or videographer for an NBA, WNBA, or professional football team. I’m also looking forward to making new connections and gaining more experience that can potentially help me accomplish that goal.”

For opportunities like Taylor’s, keep an eye on our news page, where we speak to GIS students and graduates as they pave their way toward exciting roles in the sports industry.

Article by Zakaria Anani