My First Job: Hoop Dreams

She wanted to work for the NBA, but fashion was the first stop.

Before Inky Son (B’02) was vice president of licensing at the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), she was a recent graduate of the McDonough School of Business searching for her first full-time job. Son accepted her first position as an assistant to the vice president of licensing at DKNY. Beginning her career in licensing, Son was exposed to just how large the industry was and all the educational and professional opportunities it presented. “As long as you are open to it and roll up your sleeves, you can say yes to whatever comes your way,” she said. “That’s how I learned the business and set myself up for the next step.” 

Growth is what Son looked for in every position throughout her career, beginning with her first role at DKNY. As a budding assistant and, soon, an experienced leader, Son always looked to see where a role could take her next. Each step was taken with thought and intention throughout her career to get her exactly where she dreamed of being—the NBA. From being the vice president’s assistant to becoming the vice president, Son has one piece of advice for young professionals: “Never take the job for what that role is; you always need to look at where that role can get you.” 

This story was originally featured in the Georgetown Business Fall 2022 Magazine.