Looking at the top of the sports world, it is almost impossible to remember that many people started on the bottom and then doggedly worked their way to the top of the food chain. The reality is that many of the people who you see working in front offices or with corporate partners are individuals who, during their undergraduate years, decided against taking it easy for the summer. They, instead, embarked upon a summer of doing thankless work all for the opportunity to be considered for a future job possibility. Where did these people toil in their early 20’s? Sports internships.
Getting a sports internship is not an easy thing to do. The reality is these internships are very competitive; therefore, you must make sure that your body of work stands out when applying. The truth is your internship begins long before you ever apply. How are your grades? Is your GPA high? These big-time organizations look for people with high GPAs because those are students who can handle a heavy workload and thrive under pressure. If you think the sports world doesn’t have any pressure, you’re sadly mistaken. Even with internships hosted by minor league programs in remote towns, the pressure to get things right is immense. To prove that you can handle it, that’s why your grades matter. You know those hard semesters where you felt like your schedule was killing you, but you managed to pull out incredible grades? These opportunities are why you worked that hard.
The next step is to get your application in early. As soon as organizations post the internships, take a look at what’s needed. Bookmark the internship pages with the different teams you are interested in and head to your academic advisor’s office. Chances are, they can help you land the internship or know someone who can make it happen. Your college’s name carries a lot of weight in the city it’s in, so why not have that college use its resources? If you have a great GPA, a fantastic resume, and are proven to be an asset to your campus, your college will go to bat for you and help you get the internship you’d like. Also, and this should go without saying, but don’t apply for internships that have nothing to do with your coursework. If you are a math major, there’s no reason for you to be in the PR department or vice versa.
Once you apply for the internship, make sure you apply for not just one, but several. The key here is doing things the way you did them when applying for colleges. Look for the internships that may be longshots, ones that you have a good chance of getting, and the internships that are a mortal lock for you. Having a diversity of internship applications allows you to decide on the best course of action, and it also helps you when you have several offers for internships – this allows you to negotiate the best terms. Another thing to look for are paid internships. If those opportunities are available, and If you are going to be working hard, why not get paid for it?
Once you land the internships interviews, this becomes critically important. Make sure that you arrive well-dressed and roughly 15 minutes early. Many organizations value their time, and the worst thing you can do is be late. If being late is unavoidable, call ahead at the slightest inkling that you may be late and give the person who scheduled your interview a heads up. This warning lets them know you are conscientious. Also, when you get to the interview, have your resume and accomplishments handy. Yes, the person interviewing you already knows how great you are, but, at the same time, no one has ever suffered for being over-prepared. Once in the interview, make sure you look the person in the eyes, be confident, assertive, but not arrogant or meek. You want to communicate that you are a humble person but, at the same time, you are the right person for the position.
Now, when you land the internship, things will be different. You will not be working on high-level tasks – so if you think that as an intern you will be privy to trade discussions, good luck with that idea. Instead, you are going to be doing the menial labor that allows your bosses to focus their time and energy on the tasks that move organizations forward. Whether you are affiliated with a professional team, an equipment outfitter or a corporate sponsor, the truth is your contributions are foundational. If you make mistakes and pass along inaccurate information, it gets to the highest levels and could affect lots of different actions. Therefore, it is important to be thorough and hustle.
Also, attitude matters. Go to your internship ready to work and to approach everything with gusto. Ask questions and be willing to learn. If you are an earnest person who is invested, you will make your mark. Your internship is not about networking or other types of ladder climbing, but rather it is about getting your foot in the door in an industry that you have a keen interest in, and, to that end, it is imperative that your attitude is a positive one. As you show your aptitude for your internship, the right people will notice, and you will organically make contacts in the organization that will serve you well long after you leave the internship.
Most of the time the hardest thing about internships is procuring one, but the key is making sure that your qualifications are unassailable and being willing to apply to several different organizations. When you are well-prepared for your internship, the truth is the rest of the process takes care of itself. When you get the internship, make sure you work hard and enjoy yourself. A sports internship is a once in a lifetime experience; therefore, don’t take it for granted and be sure to work hard. People will notice you, and, once you graduate, they will reward you for it.
