Intern Feature: Sarah Fox

I am an intern at the Valley Blue Sox, a minor league baseball team located in Holyoke that is a member of the New England College Baseball League. Interns with this company get to be a part of almost every aspect of the team including marketing, sales, and operations. As a spring intern, my main role is to help retain current sponsors, reach out to potential new ones, sell tickets both individual and group, and market the team overall. These tasks prepare for game day starting in June.

HOW DID YOU FIND THIS OPPORTUNITY?

I got the position by attending the McCormack Department of Sport Management career fair. I talked to almost every company that was there, even the ones I wasn’t that interested in. The more resumes I gave to companies, the more of a chance I had to get in contact with them. I was very impressed by Hunter Golden’s explanation of what interns do at the Blue Sox so I handed him my resume and asked for a business card. The following day, I sent a follow up email thanking him for the information. He then told me to email a cover letter and that led to my interview! Going into an interview prepared is crucial for someone looking to land an internship. My biggest suggestion is to research the company and truly know what they do. This shows the recruiter that you are truly interested in working for them. I believe my preparedness in the interview led to me landing the position.

WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEEN LIKE AND WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?

My experience taught me a number of things about the professional world. There are all types of people out there that you will be required to work with no matter what. This teaches you how to get along with a wide range of employees that you may encounter in the workplace. Additionally, you may be asked to complete tasks that seem unnecessary or unrelated to your position, but this will provide you with experience and a good work ethic. Also, the “professional” world isn’t as professional or scary as it may seem- your superiors are human too and may end up becoming your friends!

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER STUDENTS?

My advice for other students looking to intern is to not be afraid to put yourself out there. There are countless opportunities for students to work with companies, and those looking to build their professional experience need to take full advantage. Apply to as many internships as possible, even if it’s something you may not necessarily be interested in. You could end up loving it, or gaining other valuable experience. Holding internships in college is crucial, and getting started can be tough, but once you get the ball rolling you will realize it’s not as scary as it looks.