Building the Foundations: Key Skills for Marketing & Sales
The Marketing and Sales departments serve as the core growth engines for global brands like adidas. To stand out to recruiters during the early stages of selection, it is vital to build a well-balanced profile:
- Develop cross-functional skills: Whether you aim to manage brand campaigns or commercial channels (Wholesale and Retail), understanding the full value chain and connecting brand communication directly to sales outcomes is essential.
- Cultivate curiosity and a continuous learning mindset: Asking questions, taking a keen interest in business metrics, and understanding the strategic “why” behind corporate decisions accelerates your career progression.
- Adopt a team-first mindset: The spirit of athletics is deeply embedded in corporate culture. Working for a global brand means operating as a team where consistency, synergy, and mutual support drive every individual to perform at their best.
Turning an Internship into a Managerial Career
A central topic discussed during the session was the progression from an intern to a role of higher responsibility. Success stories across adidas demonstrate that an internship is not a final destination, but a launchpad.
To convert an internship opportunity into a permanent managerial position, focus on these actionable steps:
- Transition quickly from observation to action: Actively contribute to projects—from major brand activations and community initiatives to strategic partnerships—rather than remaining a passive observer.
- Embrace non-linear growth: Career evolution consists of rapid breakthroughs as well as complex challenges. Approaching obstacles one step at a time makes even the most ambitious goals achievable.
- Build cross-departmental networks (Internal Networking): Establishing professional relationships with colleagues across various departments helps build a 360-degree view of the business while opening new career pathways.
Exclusive Opportunities & Entry Programs
The event with Massimiliano Pesarese highlighted adidas’s commitment to discovering and empowering the next generation of talent ready to bring fresh ideas and initiative.
Thanks to the strategic partnership with Rome Business School Career Services, dedicated entry program opportunities at the Milan HQ are made available to a select group of Master’s students in the following areas:
- Marketing Area: Focused on brand strategy, consumer insight analysis, strategic communication, and local activations.
- Sales Area: Focused on commercial channel management, sales analytics, distributor network support, and market strategy.
These entry pathways feature specific selection timelines, exclusively managed in collaboration with the institution’s career network.
Growing within a global leader like adidas demands a passion for excellence, an analytical mindset, and a strong team spirit. Through the career guidance initiatives provided by Rome Business School Career Services, students can engage directly with industry leaders, gaining the strategic preparation and confidence required to shape their professional future.
