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!

There's A Lot Out There

Do you know what area of the sport industry you want to work for? Could you put it down in words, or are you still searching? It's definitely okay not to know where you exactly you want to be long term. After all, we are all still learning what the sport industry is all about and what is even out there. Though it seems to be a trend for most students looking to enter the sports industry to want to work in a) some part of one of the 5 major sports (football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and soccer) or b) Collegiate athletics, it is important to understand that there is WAY more out there besides those top-of mind categories. We have all grown up being surrounded by the NBA, MLB, College football, etc. so it seems natural to want to work in one of those areas. But even though you may have grown up a fan of a specific football or baseball team, that does not necessarily mean working in that sport is where you will be the best you can be.

In speaking with several industry professionals (most of which are alumni of OU's Sport Administration master's program), I always ask what advice they have for me or for other students like me. One common theme in all of their responses is to "make sure you know what else is out there". There are so many emerging non-traditional sports (just look at the explosion of Mixed Martial Arts or Arena Football) and segments of all sports that are often overlooked. Just because these segments may not receive as much media attention, does not mean that there are not incredible opportunities available. Often times it is with those such segments that we, as entry level/internship seekers, can break in and gain some invaluable experience. Keep an open mind and do some digging - what are your strengths, what are your interests (aside from being a fan), and what areas have you never thought about pursuing?

Who You Know vs. What You Know

As frustrating as it may sound for some, often times who you know will get you the interview, but it's what you know that will get you the job (internship). Expanding your networking and meeting as many people in the field as possible will prove beneficial as these people will help you get your foot in the door for that initial interview. However, a mistake that is often made is relying on those personal resources to actually get you the job. That's where the "what you know" aspect comes into play. Your personal resources cannot interview for you, therefore it is your responsibility to "wow" your interviewers with what you know, what you've done (remember, experience is critical), and how you will add value to their company or organization. Just because you know the VP of Stadium Operations at the Boston Red Sox, for example, does not mean that you are a "shoe in" for an internship in the Marketing Department.

Take the time to get to know people in the industry, create strong relationships, and a valuable network. But please also make sure to gain experience and develop your skills and knowledge because those are the things that will get you the farthest in this industry.

Experience is Critical

Wondering how to get noticed by potential employers and beat out your competition? Experience! Relevant sports experience is critical for future success. I've always been encouraged to get involved with as much as I can...learn what there is around you and try to get involved. You can volunteer at a local sporting event, help out in your university's athletic department, talk to your advisors, peers, and mentors about upcoming events or other opportunities. Not only will it set you apart from your competition, but it will also expose you to various pieces of the sporting industry - applying what you learn in the classroom to real live events.

When applying for jobs and internships, the goal is to ultimately get your resume from the middle of the stack to the very top. Experience will get it there. Over the past 7 years since I entered the "sports business world" I've had the fortunate opportunities to be involved in some major events and organizations such as Disney's Wide World of Sports, the New York Road Runners and the ING New York City Marathon, the Grand Opening of the Basketball Hall of Fame, Event Marketing and Management International (Orlando, FL), Springfield College and Ohio University Athletics, Crocs AVP Beach Volleyball Tour, among many others. I served various roles in each of these events, from handing out water cups, to picking up trash, to distributing promotional items, but each was just as important as the next in order to get me where I am today. You've got to understand every piece before you can expect to know it all.

There are countless opportunities to get involved in your local community or school. Sometimes all you have to do is ask. Ask your coaches, professors, friends, mentors, or even check out opportunities online - Craigslist.com and even Google. It's a great way to earn extra cash or help out a good cause while gaining the experience that will put you a step ahead of the rest!