Joaquín Mones understood early in his athletic career that achieving success involves more than just coaching and training—it also requires effective management and resource coordination. Since there were no advanced studies available in his field in Uruguay, he searched for opportunities abroad. Finding the Master´s Degree programme in Responsible Management and Business of Sport at JYU changed everything. As he says, “A new step in my life seemed to be approaching.”
My Journey as a Sports Manager began when I was an athlete and realised that, in addition to coaching and having the best facilities, resource management was vital to the success of my rowing team. I completed my bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management, and my thesis was a business project that was later developed into a real enterprise.
Grow through volunteering, leadership, and international sports experience
Volunteering as Club Captain and running my own rowing school, I always longed for more advanced studies in my field. In Uruguay, there were no such programmes, so I was always on the lookout for opportunities abroad, but the timing was never right.
While I waited for the right opportunity abroad, many international experiences continued to shape and encourage my pursuit of a multicultural academic path. In 2011, I represented Uruguay at the International Olympic Academy, where I discovered the global dimension of sport. That led me to coordinate volunteers at an international regatta in 2014, which opened doors to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the 2018 Youth Olympic Games. In 2017, I proudly represented Uruguay again at the FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy. These moments confirmed that sport, for me, is both a passion and a lifelong commitment.
Pursuing a master's degree after 12 years in working life
Although that gave me practical experience, for more than ten years the master’s degree felt like an elusive goal, that seemed further away every time. After the pandemic, my girlfriend applied to study in Finland, and started her masters months later. Finland seemed so far away, but after visiting her, I was convinced.
On my return, I started looking for master’s programmes and found RESPO (Responsible Management and Business of Sport) in Jyväskylä.
A new step in my life seemed to be approaching, although the idea of leaving my life in Uruguay behind was frightening.
Being a student again twelve years after finishing my bachelor's degree, was also a great challenge.
Work experience supported my academic development in RESPO
As a couple, we decided that a life change was due. After two years of a long-distance relationship, we got married on August 17, 2024, and three days later, we were already here for the start of my studies. I started enjoying my new life as a student from the very beginning and began taking advantage of all the years spent working in the field, using them as input for my academic development.
After changing my life completely, I was finally in the place I needed to be.
Read more: Master's Degree Programme in Responsible Management and Business of Sport
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