Connor West
Connor West, a junior at SUNY Fredonia, experienced some of the business side of sport management during a summer internship.
An Honors student with a double major in Accounting and Business Administration, Connor is also a member of the SUNY Fredonia men’s soccer team.
As an Accounting Intern with the Buffalo Sabres, Connor’s responsibilities included assisting with Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable processes, reviewing invoices and supporting payment processing, preparing journal entries, maintaining accurate financial records, analyzing financial data and vendor statements in Excel, and supporting month-end accounting activities and special finance projects. He worked on-site at KeyBank Center on the suite level, which he described as “a pretty unique experience. It's not every day that you get to go to a professional sports arena for work!”
"Be willing to learn, ask questions, and step outside your comfort zone." - Connor West
Reflecting on his campus and internship experience, Connor noted, “Balancing academics, athletics, and internships has helped me develop strong time management skills, a strong work ethic, and a team-first mindset, all of which have been valuable in my professional growth.
I got the internship by finding the position online and applying. From there, I leveraged my network and reached out to professionals I had met through various networking events, which ultimately helped me secure an interview. Accounting internships can be very competitive, so I feel extremely fortunate to have found an opportunity that combines my passion for accounting with my love of sports.”
He added that one of the biggest things he’s learned so far is the importance of being open to new experiences and stepping outside of his comfort zone. “As an intern, no one expects you to know everything, but they do expect you to be willing to learn. Being coachable, asking thoughtful questions, and taking detailed notes have all been incredibly important. The professionals I work with are very busy, so when they take time to teach me something, I want to make sure I'm learning it thoroughly and respecting their time.”
Connor added that his accounting courses provided a strong foundation in financial reporting, journal entries, Excel, and other core accounting concepts that he used throughout the internship. “Perhaps most importantly, Fredonia has given me access to professors, mentors, and networking opportunities that helped me build confidence and prepare for opportunities like this one.”
