At this point, let us dive in a bit deeper into Step 3—research and networking. Throughout this book, you will hear that networking is instrumental in the process of obtaining an internship. First, networking plays a crucial role for anyone, at any level, including interns, who are aiming to develop careers in the sport industry. Sports administration is an industry that depends heavily on relationship building and networking is a direct way to practice and highlight your relationship building skills. Networking is a buzzword, often thrown around and misconstrued. Exchanging business cards and handshakes are conventional etiquette. However, that is not networking! It is what you do with those business cards and handshakes to cultivate and build professional relationships for yourself that makes the difference and is truly networking.  While in school or during internships, it is essential to understand that job offers are not likely to come your way without actively connecting with others. You can proactively, respectfully, and intentionally leverage social media platforms such as Twitter (X), LinkedIn, and Facebook by sending a message to someone who works in the same organization as you, or elsewhere. The goal is to expand and hopefully continue the relationship beyond the business or transactional interaction you may have had with them. That does not mean spam someone with a message every day, but an ideal way to build a relationship is to send short email after meeting someone.  This can become a routine part of your networking strategy. You can also respond to a post or reach out and ask to connect offline with someone. For those new to networking, the term offline means outside of the public thread.

As was mentioned previously, join relevant sport professional organizations in your specific area of interest such as the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAA) or the Sports Marketing Association (SMA), the College Sports Communicators, formerly College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) or even the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) As stated earlier, these are examples, not a definitive list. Networking requires effort, but the rewards can be significant. Networking is not a “spectator sport” or passive endeavor, rather, it is an initiative-taking and strategic relationship building undertaking that must be authentic and intentional. Those that put the time in will see success. Be consistent and patient and you will find the right internship to get you started in the sport industry.

One of the more overlooked aspects of obtaining internships is leveraging the networking power of professors. College/university professors in the sports management/administration field play a vital role in helping students obtain internships. Sport administration professors often serve as bridge builders between students and the sport industry. Personally speaking, even within my own experience here at the University of Cincinnati, I have mentored a multiplicity of students. In these one-on-one conversations, I can glean more about a student’s goals, objectives, and aspirations. Moreover, through this process, I also obtain the students’ resumes so I can see firsthand what they have listed in terms of their experiences, volunteer and otherwise in sport, and this helps me to further guide them. For example, if an analytics-focused student wants an internship, I already have that person in mind when a data-driven sports organization reaches out to me.

Faculty are often tapped by local and regional sport organizations who seek out guidance in helping to get an internship posting publicized to as many students as possible through college/university channels and email list serves. When sport organizations reach out to me, they are leveraging my networks with students and colleagues to ensure their posting is not only put in front of the widest possible audience, but also the most targeted pool of potential candidates. This is where the “bridge building” aspect comes into play; I make a concerted effort to merge my students’ goals and objectives with the various internship announcements that come across my desk. Those students who have reached out to share their goals may get a personal email from me alerting them that I think a particular position may be of interest to them. Also, as was mentioned previously, professors can write strong letters of recommendation for students applying for internships. Clearly, endorsements from professors may carry significant weight with employers, particularly if they have a have a direct connection to a hiring manager. Finally, I make every effort to ensure my students provide quality feedback as to what they learned during and after the internship. How did the internship align with their goals? The data from this type of student led reflection helps me as a bridge builder fine-tune my approach for the next time so that the process continuously improves. My role as a professor in this process is not just about disseminating information, it’s about building pathways for students to achieve their dreams in the dynamic sports industry.

Another example of my efforts relates to connections I facilitate in high school athletics; I organize an annual trip to the Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Director’s Association (OIAAA) State Conference in Columbus, held annually in mid-November. At this conference, students can engage with various sports industry vendors and connect with athletic directors who attend the meeting. During the ‘General Opening Session,’ after the featured keynote speaker, students participate in a social networking session. I actively encourage my students not to be passive observers; instead, I advise them to introduce themselves to fellow attendees, especially athletic directors. They should ask questions, exchange contact information, and express genuine interest in learning from these experienced professionals. I also encourage students to take advantage of the access they have to sport industry vendors while at the conference. I challenge them to engage with vendors (e.g., equipment suppliers, software providers, and fundraising platforms), ask the reps questions, and gather information that can benefit their future work in athletic administration—whether it be talking points to use during future interviews or research on companies that could lead to networking connections or employment opportunities.

I underscore the importance of dressing professionally. Making a positive impression is essential because you never know whom you might meet—one of those people may be at your next internship site. I encourage my students to mingle and make as many quality connections as possible by collecting business cards. For example, if they met someone, they thought was interesting, they should get their business card or jot down notes about the conversation on a notepad. After the conference ends, I also encourage my students to send personalized follow-up emails and, in some instances if feasible, because it is a lost art in my professional opinion, the old-fashioned approach of sending a “snail-mail” thank-you card/message. Most individuals are swamped with multiple emails in their inbox. As such, sending a physical “thank-you card” is an effective way for you to stand out among the crowd. Pro tips, keep it brief and include your contact information. Remember, whether it is a digital email or physical mail, expressing gratitude leaves a positive impression. In the end, it is a small investment with potentially significant returns in your professional journey! How you conduct yourself after an interaction is part of the networking phase. Avoid being transactional and do not immediately ask for an internship or approach networking solely for personal gain (e.g., asking for favors without building relationships), because authentic connections matter more than transactional exchanges. Down the road, you may cross paths with that person again.

Among my various personal networking success stories, one truly stands out. As a workshop speaker at the 46th Annual National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) Conference in Orlando, Florida, in 2015, I had the opportunity to connect with Scott Garvis, CMAA. At the time Scott was the Director of Athletics at Newton High School in Newton, Iowa. Shortly after my presentation, Scott and I exchanged contact information. During the conference, we collaborated, and he generously sponsored one of my University of Cincinnati sport administration students for a capstone internship. The internship included a stipend of $2,000 for the semester, along with free housing. Without attending that conference, this valuable relationship with Scott would never have formed. Over the next several years, we developed a great pipeline of talented students all of which were mentored by Scott.

Sports play a vital role in global culture, shaping communities and providing entertainment, inspiration, and a sense of belonging. Working in athletics offers firsthand exposure to diverse cultures, whether through professional sports, intercollegiate competitions, or youth leagues. The key to success lies in cultivating a mindset of self-motivation and adaptability.

Beyond the games, internships contribute fresh perspectives, enhance productivity, serve as a talent pipeline, and give back to the community. “An internship provides a realistic preview that can help you set expectations for yourself and also get a view into what the professional workplace is like”^[1]. It can also help you understand what you may not want to do, what type of work may not motivate and excite you. While you may have been interested and around a sport for many years, you may not realize the skills, hours, and less than glamourous tasks involved in some of the essential operations and functions behind the scenes. Do not underestimate how much passion, curiosity, and nimbleness can make you stand out from others. Whether you’re organizing a fundraising event, designing a marketing campaign, or ensuring seamless game operations, your passion, self-motivation, and adaptability are essential for a successful internship experience. If there are things you really like that you are doing in your internship, chances are you will like them as a career. Similarly, if there are things you don’t like about a particular task or responsibility, figure out why, and do not assume your dislike or disinterest will change. Remember to examine your own skill sets and approach the internship with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. And use the internship experience to find the parts of the industry for which you have talent and enthusiasm. This is all part of step three—research.