Hiring and supervising an athletic department intern.

The Internship is the most important applied course/experience in the sport management field. The study of theories and concepts is meaningful, of course, but not as essential as many practical applications of the Internship. The experience is an integral part of the student's total educational preparation.

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The Internship provides a structured opportunity for students to develop professional behavior and to turn theory into practice. It provides a framework within which to gain insight and understanding of the total athletic department operation, and thus allow for a gradual and smooth transition into professional status.

The student should receive varied Internship experiences ranging from leadership to program development to exposure and to higher-level supervisory responsibilities.

The variety and intensity of experiences should enable the student to assess knowledge and skills in relation to career goals. The student should be challenged in a manner that will reveal his or her professional strengths and weaknesses. Such experiences can only be assured through careful planning by both the student and the athletic department administrator.

The primary purpose of the Internship is to provide a work-study-learning program to further the professional growth of the students. When accepting an Athletic Dept, for the Internship experience, the student must accept the standards, rules, and regulations of the Department and become a representative of both the Department and the University.

Students seeking an Internship should collect as much information as possible about the Athletic Dept., including program operation, personnel, organizational structure, legal status, general administrative policies and procedures, budget, clientele, characteristics of the community, duties and responsibilities during the Internship experience, facilities, cooperative agreements, and remuneration/living arrangements.

The Athletic Dept. should understand that the student will be required to complete both his work assignments and academic paperwork, and so should be patient with his/her requests for such information. The student, Internship Coordinator, and the Athletic Dept. Administrator share the responsibilities of the Internship experience.

INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCES

1. The student will complete multiple hours of practical and related work for each semester hour's credit. The experience must be continuous and be completed during any one semester. The student will be expected to follow the rules, regulations, and policies of the Athletic Dept. and he must not assume any other employment or outside assignment unless approved by the Internship Coordinator.

2. The student will have an Internship Manual that describes the philosophy and objectives of the experience, their progression and scope, the policies and procedures, and the form, records, and reports to be submitted.

3. The student must provide information on his background (resume) to the Athletic Dept.

4. The Athletic Dept. will assign a staff member qualified by professional certification, education, and experience to supervise the student. This person will outline the student's weekly schedules and submit evaluation reports, as well as an evaluation at the conclusion of the training.

5. The student will: participate in planning the Internship experience, submit weekly and other specific reports to the University Supervisor, and have periodic conferences with the Athletic Dept. and University supervisors.

6. The Athletic Dept. and the University will jointly agree upon the placement of the student in the Athletic Dept., after consultation with the student and an examination of his needs. The student must complete an interview with the Athletic Dept. before a final placement is approved. The Athletic Dept. must return an acceptance form indicating the general plan for student involvement.

7. During the Internship experience, students should gain insight into the following activities:

* Office organization and management procedures.

* Fee-charging practices and policies.

* Volunteer leadership procedures.

* Maintenance techniques, procedures and/or problems.

* Budget preparation, presentation, and administration.

* In staff and/or department meetings.

* In the creation of programs, maintenance of facilities, and the care of equipment.

* Specific program activities for different age levels in various situations.

* The internal organization of the Athletic Dept.

* The scope of services offered by the Athletic Dept.

* The records and reports used by the Athletic Dept.

* Preparation and submission of publicity information.

* Research on special topics.

* Meeting and evidence of cooperation with other community agencies and organization.

Athletic Dept. supervisors should feel free to add valuable and useful information and experiences. In most cases, the student will be a senior who has completed all other coursework, as this is the capstone of their undergraduate or graduate sport management education.

After discussion with the Internship Coordinator and approximately three months before assignments are scheduled, the student must file an Application for Internship Placement. The selection should be the combined effort of the student and the Internship Coordinator.

Throughout the process of the selection, the student should be responsible for keeping the Internship coordinator advised of his/her progress. Once the student has made a tentative choice, the following should be completed:

Arrange a confirmation appointment with the Internship Coordinator.

Prior to the time of the confirmation appointment, the student would compile Athletic Dept. information, such as:

1. Program operation.

2. Athletic Department personnel.

3. General administration-policies, budget, record keeping rules and regulations.

4. Clientele of Athletic Dept.

5. Characteristics of the community.

6. Duties and responsibilities during the professional Internship experience.

7. Job description.

8. Remuneration/living arrangements.

9. Other information pertinent to the Athletic Dept. situation.

The student should bear in mind the importance of Athletic Dept. selection in terms of his/her personal needs and career goals. The student should come to the confirmation appointment prepared to convince the Internship coordinator why this is the "best" Athletic Dept. for the professional Internship experience.

Once confirmation is achieved, the student will:

1. Send an acceptance letter to the cooperating Athletic Department supervisor.

2. Send "thank you" letters to all other agencies contacted.

3. Submit completed Internship folder to the Internship Instructor.

The student Internship folder will contain:

1. Senior Internship application.

2. Resume or vita.

3. Waiver form.

4. A list of strengths and weaknesses.

5. Interview evaluations completed by the Athletic Dept.

6. Student interview self-evaluation form.

7. Record of phone calls.

8. Other assigned or pertinent information.

After the student makes his final decision, the Internship Coordinator may contact the Athletic Dept. before solidifying the final acceptance.

The evaluation of the student Internship experience will be made at the termination of the assignment on the basis of his performance in the Athletic Dept. and University written requirements. The University supervisor will determine the final grade evaluation.

It is essential for the students to meet the appropriate deadlines when submitting all materials to the University.

It is the student's obligation to maintain contact with the University supervisor whenever any problems or concerns develop. Athletic officials, students, and universities will all be pleased with the Internship process whenever it is predicated on a structured environment conducive to learning.

Learning through practical application can be fun, exciting, and career-enhancing.

BY DR. REGINALD F. OVERTON 

Assoc. Professor of Sport Management

Assistant Athletic Director 

Virginia State University 

Ettrick, VA