Having pursued a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Management for Arts, Culture and Communications at Milan’s Bocconi University, Ewan MacRae grew accustomed to adapting and embracing change. The former marketing intern at Kallang Alive Sport Management (KASM) described his move to Italy as “huge for my personal growth after being immersed in a completely different culture.”
So when a new opportunity presented itself at KASM, he welcomed it with open arms.
“They shared that I would have opportunities to have a diverse range of experiences within the brand and marketing departments rather than specialising in one area. This broad range of work definitely appealed to me,” Ewan said, after hearing about the opening from a family friend.
A former music student who specialised in voice at the School of the Arts, he was especially drawn to the array of premier music events that the Singapore Sports Hub regularly hosted.
It was a no-brainer for Ewan, who joined in the summer of 2025 and the rest, as they say, was history.
Getting Hands-On
The 23-year-old gained first-hand experience contributing to the Singapore Sports Hub’s content platform Here to Play, collaborating with writers and photographers to produce stories that resonated with the community.
His internship also coincided with the Singapore Festival of Football, giving him the chance to get up close with global football stars.
“I had the opportunity to assist the team with a social media shoot for Arsenal’s training sessions and matches at the National Stadium. It was really interesting to observe the processes behind working with hosts, fans, videographers, and athletes,” he recalled.
Wearing Multiple Hats
Besides working on articles, Ewan also tried his hand at a wide range of tasks, from optimising content management systems and managing customer relationships, to assisting with social media shoots and reaching out to potential partners. The diversity of responsibilities gave him an enriching exposure to different facets of sports marketing.
“After working at KASM, I realised the true breadth of the events that take place at Singapore Sports Hub, as well as the extent to which the team provides support for these events,” he said.
What made the experience especially rewarding was the chance to contribute meaningfully to the team. “The team was incredibly welcoming and allowed me to be involved in a wide range of projects. I also appreciated being able to freely share ideas and participate in discussions on KASM’s current and future plans. It definitely made my work feel more purposeful,” he said.
Finding His Groove
Through these projects, Ewan was able to sharpen his interpersonal and communication skills as well.
“Learning how to communicate with colleagues and stakeholders external to the company in positive, constructive ways has been super valuable. I was also really happy to work on the various content and customer relationship management systems, as well as working with advertising and social media agencies.”
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the fresh graduate, who initially found it challenging to adjust to a new environment.
“As this was my first time in an office setting, I definitely struggled with some anxiety. I worried about saying or doing the wrong thing, and felt like I had to carry myself in a very specific way,” he admitted.
Over time, as he grew more comfortable with his colleagues, Ewan found his footing. By the end of his three-month stint, he had built such strong bonds that a large group of teammates turned up to send him off at his farewell lunch.
“The Singapore Sports Hub is a special place for its employees because its team, beyond being so warm and welcoming, is great at fostering an environment where anyone can contribute good ideas. It’s also a place where a lot of change and growth are on the horizon, which I think will be extremely exciting and fulfilling for all staff involved.”
Shaping a Career Path
More importantly, the internship gave him valuable insight into the world of marketing and has only deepened his interest in the field.
“The internship definitely cemented marketing as a profession I am interested in pursuing. I really enjoy how much creativity and critical thinking it demands,” he said.
Despite Ewan having plans to leave Singapore for the time being, his next visit to the Singapore Sports Hub precinct isn’t too far off.
“I would likely return to the precinct when I’m back in the country to kayak, or for any concerts. If I were in Singapore, I would have definitely gotten tickets to Doja Cat, but I’ll unfortunately be missing that,” Ewan said, adding that he could often be found at the Sports Hub Gym, located in OCBC Arena, during his lunch breaks and after work.
Words of Wisdom
Having concluded his internship in late August, Ewan offered some encouraging words of advice for future applicants.
“Just apply! The work I was able to do was incredibly varied and interesting, and the team made me feel extremely welcome. They were patient and kind in teaching me everything I needed to know. It was an amazing learning opportunity for me. I’m certain you won’t regret it.”
If you’re interested in internship opportunities with Kallang Alive Sport Management, you can follow our LinkedIn for job openings or send your resumes directly to [email protected].
