Remember to...

When I was a senior in college, I was asked by a good friend of mine to assist him and the New York Road Runners during the week leading up to the ING New York City Marathon. He had made some great connections with individuals who were working full time for the New York Road Runners and had been asked several years in a row to come back to the city and help them out. There is so much that needs to be done during that week; the more hands they have to help, the easier it makes their lives and the event as a whole. However, as a senior in college and not having had much real experience with large-scale events like this one..I was nervous. I wanted to do a great job, not only for myself but for my friend, as I would be representing him - everyone would associate me with him and I had to prove that I was worthy of being there.

Before we left, my friend (who had been in the work force for several years and has had a lot of experience in the sport industry) had a talk with me. This talk was not because he did not think I would do a good job or embarrass him (after all he did choose me of all people to come with him to the race), but just as a reminder of what his expectations were for me and what I needed to remember while working for the New York Road Runners. I will never forget those things he told me. A lot of these things may seem like common sense, but for most, they are things that are easy to forget. Whenever working or volunteering at an event or for an organization, remember these things:

• Never ask for SWAG (Stuff We Always Get): This is the free stuff that is given out at events that everyone always seems to want (i.e. t-shirts, hats, posters, etc). If you are working an event, don't ask to have those things. You never want to be known as the kid who constantly asked for the free stuff. If they offer it to you, by all means, take it and be thankful...but if they don't offer, don't assume you can take it and do not ask for it!
• Be on time: On time means 15 minutes early. If you are told to be somewhere at 9:30, get there no later than 9:15. This will definitely impress those you are working for.
• If there's nothing for you to do, ask: Often times when you are working/volunteering, there may not always be something for you to do or there may not be direction for you at all times. This is when you ask, "Is there something I can help with?" If they so no, that's ok, just wait. Don't look or act bored..just be available to help when help is needed.
• Never complain: Even when there is nothing to do, don't complain. Don't complain that you're tired or hungry. People will get annoyed VERY quickly and will not want to have you back. Be respectful and don't complain.
• Dress the part: Make sure you are aware of the attire expectations before getting to the event. You don't want to show up in jeans and a t-shirt when the organizers expect you to be in khaki slacks and a polo. Even if people around you are dressed down, that does not mean that you can "get away with it" too. Dress in a way that fits the part and keeps you looking professional and conscientious.
• Have fun: You don't have to take everything completely serious; make sure to have fun and make those around you know that you are enjoying what you are doing.

These are just a few tips on how to be your best, make the most positive impact, and produce good work when at any event no matter the size or scale. You are not only representing yourself and selling your own personal brand, but more often than not, you are representing someone or something else.

I will be heading to the 2008 ING New York City Marathon this week...representing myself, my former boss, and Ohio University. I will be sure to make a positive impact.

Internship Opportunities - Check Out these Websites!

As I've mentioned, there are countless opportunities available to sport management students who are seeking internships. One of the hardest parts is knowing where to look. Here are several sites I have come across that may be of interest to some. Many of these organizations offer Internship Programs where they hire a "class" of interns for the summer, 6 months, or even a full year. Check out the websites of each respective organization, as each will offer more detailed information about their particular programs, the positions available, and how to apply.

• National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA):
• www1.ncaa.org/membership.html
• Velocity Sports and Entertainment:
• teamvelocity.teamworkonline.com
  
• Octagon:
• www.octagon.com
  
• IMG:
• www.imgworld.com
  
• USOC (and affiliated National Governing Bodies):
• http://teamusa.org/content/index/1544
  
• Under Armour:
  
• http://www.uabiz.com/careers/interns.cfm
  
• Junior Golf Association:
  
• www.IJGA.org
  

Also, please continue to seek out the information on internships which are available via teamworkonline.com. You can sign up to receive email notifications when positions of your interest come available. It only takes a few moments and it's worth it !

How to Start the Job/Internship Search

One of the hardest parts of a new job or internship is actually finding it! How do you start looking? Where do you look? Who do you talk to?... There are so many opportunities out there, in so many different areas that it becomes overwhelming and you don't know where to begin.

Though it is hard to know exactly what you want to do, and many people don't figure that out until they are well into their careers, we've got to start somewhere, right? Here's a short list of websites that can help you along in your search process. Looking into some of these may help you understand what's out there and what you need to do to get there.

• workinsports.com
• jobsinsports.com
• teamworkonline.com
• sportscareers.com
• sportsbusinessjournal.com
• team and league websites (NBA.com, redsox.com)
  
• company/brand websites (Under Armour, Nike, Coca-Cola...)
  
• national governing bodies (United States Olympic Committee, USA Track & Field, etc.)
• Colleges/Universities websites
• Sports Agencies websites (Velocity, Octagon, IMG, GMR)
  

Though several of the websites require a subscription/membership to be granted full access to the sites, most of them still allow access to view the internship and job postings. It's definitely worth checking out!

Browse the sites, find out who you would need to talk to within that specific organization. Do they offer internship programs (Under Armour, Nike, and Velocity do, for example). How can you apply; is there information directly on the website?

Additionally, use your peers and faculty members as resources throughout this process. There may have been 6 other students from your program who have been at an organization before you. there may be an alum that currently works there. Take advantage of the people around you - they will be able to help!

Check Out These Sites!!

I encourage all of us to continually be researching and learning about the sports industry and how to be successful in it. One of the easiest ways for us to do so is to continually read about experiences and successes of others, what they are doing, researching, learning and saying about it. Three alum of Ohio University's Sports Administration program are also writing blogs about sports - how to be successful, what's going on in the industry, and what they are doing in the industry. Take some time and check out the following three sites:

www.sportsindustryinfo.com

• Advice and insight on how young professionals or students just entering the working world can help themselves out
• "What your sports management classes didn't teach you about working in the sports industry"
  

www.partnershipactivation.com

• Focuses on what brands and companies are doing to separate themselves from the sports marketing clutter that exists - tactics and strategies
• "The "think tank" for connecting brands with fans"
  

www.runningevents.blogspot.com

• Written by a running enthusiasts who currently has the opportunity to travel the country to various largest endurance events and activate sponsorships
• "A multi-dimensional best practices approach to enhance the endurance community"

Check them out!