Jason Schaefer worked with MB Sports, a club sports team, in an administrative role and helped manage practices, equipment, and travel for competition.
How did you get your internship and why did you choose it?
I got my internship by networking through a family friend. I knew my friend's dad was a coach and that he also ran a competitive club over the summer. I explained that I need an internship for the summer semester and that my minor was sports management and this would be a great opportunity and fit for me because this would be a good way to get some work experience in sports. Being able to see the management side of running a club or business was another selling point. I had always experienced recreational sports as a participant so it was interesting to see the other side. Also, working with a friend is always more enjoyable.
What kind of work did you do throughout your internship experience?
I did a lot of administrative work and also direct work with the athletes by helping to run practices. My main role overall was to assist my site supervisor and all other coaching staff with anything they needed. I set up practice drills, equipment, and then cleaned up when everything was done. I would also monitor emails and calls from people reaching out about the club.
What new skills did you develop during this internship?
Some of the skills that I gained through this internship were time management, professionalism, multitasking, and communication. Some weeks were way more busy than others and I would have to learn to manage my time so that I did not fall behind in work. Also communication was a big part of this internship. I learned how to communicate with the staff as well as the players and their families. The professionalism part went hand in hand with communication. When speaking to the parents of the players, I had to communicate very clearly and in a polite way since I was representing the organization.
What did you find most challenging about your internship and what did you learn from it?
What I found most challenging about my internship was getting into a routine. We could be playing and practicing at a different location each week so each week could be different from the last. For most people, coming into work and being at the same place probably gives them a sense of comfort and makes it easier to know where things are. For me, I just had to learn to adapt quickly and be ready for change at a moment's notice. Overall I enjoyed this experience because it gave me a new skill set and the ability to see how a business operates.
What was your favorite part of your internship?
My favorite part of this internship was being able to travel to Phoenix with the team for a tournament. This trip showed me how much work and effort goes into planning these team trips. This was definitely the busiest week for me. I had to help Mr. Brookhart sent out emails to players and their parents with all the information. I also had to make sure the team had the correct jerseys and gear for that weekend, which was actually really fun. Even when there was “down time” on the trip, Mr. Brookhart was always working and looking for new tournaments and or opportunities for his team. This was meaningful to me because it really opened my eyes to all the hard work and dedication that it takes to run your own business.