Internship / Career Oppurtunities 16-20

For the last of my internship and career explorations I tried to find positions that were specific to what I want to do after I graduate. Primarily, I tried to focus on positions in the golf industry that are both challenging and fun. Most of the jobs and internships I found are in the southeast region, and all of them had online application processes.

Jobsinsports.com

PGA Internship Program

The first internship I looked at was a position with the PGA Tour. They are looking for interns that are currently in college or graduate programs. As an intern I could be placed in a number of positions, but all would be great opportunities to lean the business side of the golfing tour. Also, I would work with some of PGA Tour affiliated charities and various projects that give back to the community. Some of the requirements include: enrollment at a four year institution, a GPA of 2.8 or better, and golf experience is recommended.

Georgia State Games Commission Internship

The Georgia Games Championships is a state-wide Olympic Style festival that is open to citizens of Georgia. There are over 40 events and 10,000 athletes that compete. As an intern I would be responsible for handling various tasks such as: awards, give-aways, concessions, sports supplies and equipment. This internship is open to college or graduate students looking to earn credit. Also, one has to able to lift heavy items, count merchandise, check order sheets, and keep track of inventory.

Florida State Golf Association- Tournament Manager

Another internship I looked at was with the Florida State Golf Association. As an intern I would be the tournament manager for junior girls golf. This is a one year paid internship. Some of the duties include: administration of entries, tournament pairings, and other materials used in conducting competitions. One has to have extensive golf knowledge and playing experience, personal skills, and computer skills.

Comcast/ Golf Channel – Marketing Manager

The fourth job I looked at was a position with Comcast/Golf Channel. I would be the marketing manager and responsible for the advertising and sales of the organization. The primary focus of the job is to gain new customers and keep existing ones through both online and print advertising. Some of the requirements include: Bachelors degree in marketing, 6-9 years related experience, strong presentation and written skills, and an understanding of legal requirements.

Eclipse Business Golf Academy- Golf Even Consultant

The last job I looked at is definitely pretty interesting, and it sparked my curiosity. I would basically be the owner and operator of my own business that is responsible for organizing and developing tournaments for both organizations and golf clubs. I would work under the Eclipse name and they would receive part of my commissions, but the amount of work I put in dictates my pay. I would be consulting and producing golf events and also selling Eclipse services and products. One is expected to make $500 to $5000 per event. Also, you are trained by the Eclipse Company, who also supplies you with contacts and support to be successful.

Event Management

I went a little different rout with my event management project, and I hope Dr. Epling does not mind. I really wanted to do something that was related to what I want to do after I graduate. With that being said, I chose to help the head golf professional at Battlefield Golf Course run a Thanksgiving golf tournament. I had worked at this location over the summer and received a call this past week saying that they really need my help. The assistant professional had plans out of town and they needed major help with the tournament, so I stepped in to help. This is a great tournament but it can be very overwhelming for the people responsible for running it. Mike Miller, the head professional, and I had our hands full for sure, as there were over 130 players that signed up.

Pre-Event

The pre-event responsibilities actually took place on Thanksgiving, as the golf tournament was on the following day. Initially, we focused on getting the driving range and golf carts ready. After that, we prepared the banquet room for the festivities which included bringing in chairs, tables, and decorations. Lastly, we had to get all the tee times together and set a schedule for the following day.

During Event

When Friday rolled around it was time to get the tournament underway. We got an early start and got the golf carts and driving range set up first thing in the morning. The golfers began to arrive and gather up, so we went over the rules with the players and described the overall schedule of the day. Lastly, we monitored the tournament and facilities to make sure everything went smoothly.

Post-Event

The Saturday following the tournament was by the far the roughest day of the three. I was primarily responsible to cleaning up everything from the previous day, which including taking out trash, putting up the tables and chairs, cleaning the golf carts, and cleaning the banquet room. It was definitely a long day but everyone worked hard and contributed.  

Cite Visit Turner Field

On Thursday our class took their last trip of the semester to Turner Field. This was a great experience and a good time for all of us. We started our tour in the Braves Museum which had a bunch of memorabilia and even had an old school bus that they traveled on in the organization’s early years. After our walkthrough of the museum our guide took us around the facilities. We got a close up look at the stands, the suits, the media rooms, and even the locker rooms. Lastly, we were taken down to the dugout and got an eye level view of the field, just like a player.

Graduate Assistantships 6-10

This time around I found a lot of great schools with some excellent graduate programs. The schools I looked at include: Eastern Kentucky University, University of Central Florida, Northwestern University, Western Kentucky University, and Liberty University. Each of these are fine institutions and offer graduate programs in Sport Administration or similar fields, which I am interested in. Most of these programs carry the same requirements which include a 2.75 GPA, an official transcript, and recommendations. Also, all of the schools I researched had online application processes.  Lastly, there were also some good graduate assistantships offered to help fund the schooling. Some of these included: a teaching assistant, various positions as assistants on athletic programs, and training assistants.

Graduate Assistantships 1-5

I found a lot of great schools that offer graduate programs in my desired field. For the most part, I looked for sport administration degree programs at schools with a good reputation and location. The schools I found include: Indiana University- Bloomington, Valparaiso University, Wingate University, University of Louisville, and Arkansas State University. Most of these schools carry similar requirements like a four year degree with a 2.75 GPA, recommendation letters, and some require a written essay.  Also, there are assistantship opportunities that cover the cost of tuition. Some of these are sport related but the majority of the positions are teaching assistants. All in all, these are some great schools in a good location for me and it is worth considering each of them.

Internship / Career Opportunities 11-15

I found quite a few interesting jobs and internships this time around.  I focused primarily on the southeastern region because I do not want move too far away from home. Also, this time I focused some of my attention on trying to find some internship opportunities in case I decide to attend graduate school after graduation. All of my jobs were found on the Jobs in Sports website and all of them also have online applications.

The Golf Channel Email Marketing Coordinator

This is a great job in a field that I am definitely interested in. The job is golf related but there is also the marketing element that is extremely appealing to me. For the most part, I would be responsible for developing marketing campaigns through an email system which showcases some the aspects of the golf channel and their affiliates. Some qualification include: a four year degree, and a couple of years experience with marketing.

Tampa Bay Rays- Internship (Stadium Operations)         

With this internship I would work with the Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium operations staff to perform basic facility management tasks. This includes both game day and non-game day operations. This is an internship and the organization offers a stipend to cover college tuition. Therefore, this would be a great opportunity if I decide to pursue graduate school.  

Atlanta Spirit (Hawks & Thrashers) – Game Operations Intern

This is another great internship that is very appealing to me. Primarily, I would be working with the staff to prepare facilities for game day. Some of the tasks could include: Assist with creating and packaging entertainment content for Hawks and Thrashers in-game promotions, contests and video vignettes, and manage give-away merchandise for games. The biggest perks for me with this internship is that it is close to home and with a high profile organization.  

New Balance- Apparel Sales Rep       

This is a pretty interesting job with a high quality organization. New Balance has a great reputation and I think it would be a pleasure to work for them. The things that interested me about this job are the facts that it would be different every day and also challenging. Basically, I would be responsible for marketing their products, which includes developing sales and marketing plans for the organization.

Miami Heat (American Airlines Arena)- Computer Graphics Intern 

The last internship I looked at really caught my eye. Working with the Heat would be a great experience and a huge opportunity. As their intern I would help the staff develop visual effects for marketing and media purposes. I do not have a lot of experience with developing graphics or special effects but I think it would be great to learn. This is kind of a dream internship and it might be a little out of league at the moment.

Cite Visit: Georgia Tech Recreation Facility / Georgia Dome

On Tuesday our class went on their second cite visit and our first stop was at Georgia Tech. We were guided on a tour of their recreation facilities and it was amazing to see how much stuff they actually have. There was a huge weight room that included free weights, machines, a rock climbing wall, and several racket ball courts. Upstairs there were numerous basketball courts surrounded by a large walking track. Also, one the most interesting pats of the facility were the numerous swimming pools. The pools were remodeled for the Olympics and they are truly top notch. There is a diving pool used for diving competitions, and Olympic length swimming pool, and also a leisure pool that has a huge spiral slide.

Our last stop of the day was the Georgia Dome. I have been to the dome before but our guide took us to some great areas that I had never been before. He took us to some of their newly remodeled suits which are incredibly nice. Also, he actually even took us down on the field and we got to run around on the turf. Lastly, probably the best part of the tour was when we got to go in the locker rooms. It was awesome to be in the same place where so many great athletes get ready for a football game.

Guest Speaker Bob Pearson

Bob Pearson, a former coworker of Dr. Epling, stopped by our class and talked a little bit about his position and duties at Berry College. He has held numerous positions at Berry, including athletic director, coach, and teacher. Currently, he has a number of different tasks such as advising students, teaching, speaking at schools, and supervising internships.  He has been in the classroom and associated with sports for over 40 years now and he has seen a lot of changes. The main thing he has noticed is students are not as well rounded and are not experienced with hands on tasks.

The most unique aspect of his visit was the interactive portion at the beginning of the class. He handed out a list of quotes and assigned each student to analyze a quote. There were some interesting quotes from some famous individuals, and also some that he came up with on his own. For the most part, these quotes related to sports but could also be related to life and choices in general.  All in all, it was a great experience and I took a lot from the information Dr. Pearson shared with us.

Guest Speaker Bill Popp

Bill Popp visited with our class today, Friday Oct. 19, and shared with us some interesting information with us. He is currently the athletic director and head baseball coach here at Reinhardt. He communicated with us the details of his job and how he is working to grow and adapt our program.

He got his start at Kennesaw State University, where he majored in sports studies and played on the baseball team. During his senior year he took a position as a volunteer assistant for the Oglethorpe University baseball team. In the following year, the coach left and Popp was named the new head coach. After an extensive period at Oglethorpe he made his way to Reinhardt. He was named the head baseball coach and athletic director. He started the baseball program from the ground up, and since has grown the athletic program immensely. Currently, at Reinhardt there are 240 student athletes which make up about one fourth of the schools total population. He was also present for the transition of our program moving from a junior college to a four year NAIA school. Also, he played a vital role in our conference change, from the SSAC to the AAC. Currently, he is part of a committee that is reviewing the possibility of our school building a football program, along with a track and field program.

As the athletic director of our program he has a lot of vital responsibilities. During his time here, he has made a lot of strides to grow our program, and has taken numerous steps to ensure our program is successful. For example, he has developed a mission statement which specifies our overall goals and direction. Also, he manages the budget, handles scholarships, and files financial reports for the program. Without a doubt, there is a lot that goes into his job and I find it amazing that he is able to keep up.

Internship/ Career Opportunities 6-10

I found a lot of interesting choices in my second search for future jobs. I tried to find a diverse mix that really interests me and that I would enjoy. All in all, any of these jobs would be great for me.  It just comes down to finding the ones that I am qualified for, coming straight out of college.

Special Olympics Manager of Youth Initiatives        

In this job I would be responsible for implementing the goals and objectives of the Special Olympics Programs all across the United States. Also, I must promote the understanding, acceptance, and appreciation for each other’s gifts. Some qualifications include: Experience with a nonprofit organization, bachelors degree, experience with the Special Olympics.

Baltimore Orioles Groundskeeper

With this job I would assist with the upkeep of the fields and grounds at the Orioles Spring Training facility in Sarasota, Florida. Some of the events include the Major League and Minor League Spring Training, and various other events. One must have a couple of years of related experience, ability to operate related equipment, and maintain professional appearance.

BALLY TOTAL FITNESS - Personal Trainer            

As a trainer, I would conduct consultations and develop varied and unique workout programs. Also, I would assist, monitor, and instruct clients and ensure safe and effective use of equipment. To get the job one must have a high school diploma, be 18 years old, previous related experience, and fitness related degree.

Billy Casper Golf - Assistant Superintendent        

As the assistant to the superintendent I would help manage the annual budget and maintenance recordkeeping. Also, I would help with the maintenance of the golf course and develop fertilization and irrigation schedules. Qualifications include: strong communication skills, organizational skills, basic computer skills, supervisory skills.

Master Club Builder at Reynold's Plantation

At Reynold’s Plantation I would be involved with facility preparation and general upkeep. Also, I would be responsible for analyzing equipment and properly repairing and assembling golf clubs. To get the job I would need a bachelor’s degree, a couple of years experience in the golf industry, and sound knowledge of golf equipment.

Becoming Invaluable

The slide show really made me step back and think about my plans for the future, and am I taking the right steps to get there? I realized by looking at some of these slides that I am really not doing all that I can to get to where I need to be. Jobs in sports related fields are highly competitive and I need to be doing everything I can now to separate myself from the competition. This means, taking on more leadership roles, gaining some more working experience, and excelling in the classroom.  All in all, I definitely need to work harder to make myself more appealing to employers.

Canton YMCA Visit

On Wednesday, September 14^th the sport administration class took a trip to the Canton YMCA. I was unable to make it to the site, but I have some previous knowledge of the facility. During my first two years at Reinhardt I was a member of the Canton YMCA and used their facilities daily. At the YMCA there is an indoor and outdoor pool where regular classes are held for both children and adults. Also, there is an indoor basketball court with a large size running track surrounding it. Lastly, the workout area has a large number of treadmills, a free weight section and numerous weightlifting machines.

My classmate informed me that they discussed possible job opportunities and internships with the membership coordinator Nicole Lawson. I have actually spoken with Nicole on numerous occasions and she is definitely open to helping out students and placing them in various internship positions. I think the Y would be a great place to work, and it would be the type of job that is unique and different from day-to-day. However, one must have strong personal and organizational skills to be able to deal with large groups of people, as the Y has over 9000 members.

Internship/Career Opportunities 1-5

When looking at all the job listings I tried to find things that sparked my interest. For the most part, I focused on golf related positions but I found a few other occupations that intrigued me.


The first job I looked at was a position as a ShotLink Administrator. The job requires that one oversees the set up of the ShotLink software at pro golfing events as well as help with event and tournament scoring. This is an appealing job for me because I have actually witnessed how the software works at a few golf tournaments and it definitely interests me.

The second job that I researched was a position at Taylormade-Adidas Golf as a Custom Compliance Manager. Some of the duties include developing, managing, implementing Taylormade- Adidas Golf’s custom compliance program. Also, one must ensure compliance with U.S. import laws and regulations. This is a unique job and would give me the opportunity to use some of my business skills as well as my knowledge of golf.

The next job I looked at was a position at the Callaway Golf Company as a Global Benefits Manager. The job entails the design, development, implementation, management and the review/monitoring of corporate employee benefits plans worldwide. This would be a great upper level job to land, but I realize at this time I am not yet qualified for such a position. However, this would be a great job to look at in the future.

One of the other jobs I found was a position at Sun Life Stadium in Miami as a Concessions Manager. The job basically involves the monitoring and maintenance of all the concession operations at various sporting events. This would be a great base level job and platform to move up in the organization. Also, I think it would be great to work in professional sports stadium, especially in Miami.

The final job that caught my attention is a position with the USGA as a Director of Rules of Golf. The job entails various meetings with the USGA Rules of Golf Committee. Also, one has to teach rules seminars and go over the rules of golf to various groups. Lastly, one must mark the golf course, write out local rules and officiate during tournament rounds. This job is probably one of the more interesting for me because it is hands on and I already have a lot of knowledge regarding the rules of golf.

Guest Speaker Vic Mitchell

Vic Mitchell dropped by our class on Tuesday and shared some information about his current job at Shorter University and some of the jobs he had previously. He started by giving some background information, including the time he spent at the University of Georgia. Mr. Mitchell started as a volunteer for the Georgia Bulldog basketball team during his summers at school. He worked his way up and during his graduate assistantship he became the manager of the team. During his time there he learned what all is entailed in the planning process and the day-to-day activities required to run a program. Upon leaving Georgia, he found his way to Reinhardt and accepted a job as the women’s basketball coach. He stayed for six years and learned some important things, such as how to deal with people and how to work in a team environment. Lastly, he left Reinhardt to pursue a job as the Associate Athletic Director at Shorter University. He coached softball and basketball, but eventually dropped softball and started a cross country team and later a golf team. During his first 14 years there he coached multiple sports teams per year.


Mr. Mitchell shared a lot of valuable information with our class. He shared with us how important it is to get your foot in the door and gain experience as soon as you can. He is a perfect example of how to work your way up through numerous positions to get to where you want to be. Lastly, he stressed the importance of finding a job that interests you and will be enjoyable.

Guest Speaker Peggy Collins

Mrs. Collins, the Director of Career Services, stopped by our class on Tuesday and spoke about the different tools available to aid in finding the perfect job or internship after graduation. Initially, she talked about the multiple career fairs that are available to Reinhardt students. The career fairs are a perfect opportunity to meet and impress future employers. Also, she went into detail about how to effectively navigate the career services website. Through this site one can match their skills and interests to the best possible career.


However, the most interesting and useful information that I got out of the experience was how to properly draft a resume and how to be a good interviewee. Mrs. Collins provided us with a variety of handouts that detailed what goes into a resume and how to appropriately organize it. There is a lot that goes into this process but I found it reassuring that she is available and willing to help. I think it is definitely wise to seek her professional assistance to draft a quality resume which will impress the employer. Lastly, she mentioned a few key points about how to make an interview go smoothly. The most important thing one must do is research the company prior to the interview and be prepared to answer questions about the organization and what you can bring to the table. All in all, it was definitely a great learning experience and I now feel more comfortable knowing that I can reach out to her for help when needed.

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