Internships in Sports and Media: Value is a 2-Way Street

Once upon a time, I was an intern. Actually, many times. Since Summer is the season of internships, I’ll head down memory lane to focus on the 4 most impactful internships in my career, along with some lessons learned and questions to ponder for applicants and hiring managers.

1. Run Around the Diag - Spring 1995

What it was: A 2 mile charity running race around the center of campus at the University of Michigan

How I got it: I asked one of my advisors, Brad K. Brady , how I could get some experience in sports during the school year. Fortunately, he had already talked to a local Ann Arbor businessman named Elmo Morales about a running race concept and they needed some students to help pull it off.

How it went: I recruited a few other students to help me out with sponsorship sales, in-kind donations, logistics and promotion. On April 9, 1995 the race was run in the middle of a snowstorm. Below is a picture from that day, which is the first known photo of Aimee Doyne (Barocas) Doyne and I together. We have now been married over 24 years and have 2 wonderful children nearly the same age now as we were then. Shout out to Rachel Smith (Smith) Plawsky, Aimee’s maid of honor who I’m pretty sure talked her into volunteering on the project.

Lesson Learned: You don’t get anything unless you ask and you never know who you’re going to meet! ??

Question for Applicants: Who can help you identify a project to get some early career experience?

Question for Hiring Managers: What candidates have the potential to be future leaders and pull in additional recruits to create maximum value?

2. PASS Sports Television - Summer 1995

What it was: Unpaid Production Assistant internship covering 50 Detroit Tigers games for a regional sports network at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull. I drove roundtrip 86 miles per game and wasn’t reimbursed for mileage or parking or meals. I realize now this is a choice that not everyone can afford which is why I am a firm advocate for paid internships.

How I got it: Applied via mail (before email was widely used). Brought a VHS tape to the interview with a Michigan sports montage edited over the sound of The Victors fight song. I was hired by Jim Holly and also mentored by Ed Kaltz who did spoil me with the occasional Detroit coney dog.

How it went: The Tigers lost 84 games that season, and I officially broke into the business, doing everything I could to help the crew. Despite my ridiculous afro at the time, I must have made a decent impression because it led directly to paid freelance gigs across college and pro football and hockey broadcasts.

Lessons Learned: Bring something special to the interview. Losing can still lead to winning.

Question for Applicants: What internship will best set you up for your next step?

Question for Hiring Managers: Do you pay all of your interns? If not, what talent are you missing out on? (Repetition is intentional for emphasis)

3. CNN - Summer 2002

What it was: Unpaid Business Operations internship in the CNN News Group.

How I got it: The sister-in-law ( Tamara Schwartz ) of a business school classmate ( Michael Schwartz ) introduced me to the hiring managers ( Scott W. , Michael Zarrilli and Jay Higginbotham ).

How it went: Great group of managers who had me analyze a mountain of expense data to formulate cost savings recommendations. I also helped develop the first ever CNN Mobile marketing strategy. While I was there, I met as many MBAs and Emory alumni across Turner as I could.

Lessons Learned: Networking works. Great managers matter. If a door opens, explore the whole house.

Question for Applicants: Who do you know that knows someone you want to know? Who else can you meet while you’re at your current internship?

Question for Hiring Managers: Do you pay all of your interns? If not, what talent are you missing out on? (are you sensing a passion point?)

4. NASCAR.COM - January 2003

What it was: My first paid internship ($15/hour!), I was hired to help with strategy and analysis for a NASCAR digital subscription product within the company known at that time as AOL Time Warner.

How I got it: Stacey Rudnick in the Goizueta Business School career office knew the hiring manager, Lee Bushkell and helped me get an interview. My experience with an extracurricular consulting project for TVGuide.com was the relevant industry knowledge that I believe clinched the offer. Amazingly, that was the only official interview I had in my 20 years with Turner Sports.

How it went: More great managers and lucky timing with the growth of sustainable internet business models. 12 months later, the internship converted to my first ever full time job with benefits which was great timing for our first child, Brandon to be born that exact week. Many thanks to the Turner Sports Interactive legends including Jon Kropp , Michael Adamson , Scott Bailey and Drew Reifenberger . I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity.

Lesson Learned: School projects can help you land jobs. Once you’re in the door, do a great job. Then, refuse to leave.

Question for Applicants: What area of the company has the greatest growth possibilities?

Question for Hiring Managers: With a small investment in a summer intern, what new business area might flourish?

Now, for the first time in a long time, I don’t have an intern working with me directly this summer, but I’m re-connecting with many former interns who are now Managers, Directors, VPs and entrepreneurs who have become mentors to a whole new generation. This is the real value of internships. Investing in others who will pay it forward themselves. ??

?? What was your most memorable internship experience? What valuable connections did you make? Who was the best intern you ever had? Drop your stories and tag them in the comments below! ???

If you’ve gotten this far, thank you. ??

?? Free intro consultations are now open for the first 2 weeks of July! https://calendly.com/doyne/1-1-coaching-intro-session?month=2023-07

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