Athletic Director Internship
Experience Information
Employer: West Ottawa High School
Job Title: Assistant for Athletic Director
Major: Sport Management
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
I have had the privilege of working in the athletic office with the Athletic Director (AD) and the Athletic Secretary. In our department, we have one level of management, as everyone reports directly to the AD, whether they are a part of our game-day staff, coaching staff, reps, or sponsors. We have a large staff of people who help make our athletics as inclusive and diverse as they are. We are all working towards a similar goal: fostering a positive environment for our student-athletes.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
I am currently serving as an assistant to the AD, supporting game-day production and departmental organization. I do a lot of setup for our sports and build graphics for our video boards. The setup includes getting the tables out and hooking up the technology to them. I usually run video boards and play music during games, aiming to create a fun experience for everyone in attendance. I have been given the responsibility of serving as a site supervisor, primarily for our men's volleyball team, but also for other sports as needed. When I am not working on game-day projects, I am in the office helping the AD sort files, including coaching contracts, sponsorship documents, and student awards at the end of their seasons.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I have gained many skills through this experience that have pushed me to be the best professional I can be. I have gained skills in maintaining an athletic department by keeping strong relationships with those who support us. It is important to be open and willing to listen to all people across our staff. I learned conflict management skills and how to listen to both sides, using facts and rules to determine the best way to solve the problem. I have gained more confidence in my ability to answer questions and lead people in running safe and successful sporting events.
Favorite Part of the Experience
This entire internship has been the best experience of my career. I think the best part would be the people I have met and spent time with. They all welcomed me with open arms and treated me as one of them right away. This made me more motivated to show up as my best self every day. I have always been greeted with a smile and asked how I am doing, which has given me a chance to maintain great relationships with everyone. While all of the responsibilities and production are amazing, the people you work with and the culture are very important to my success, and I'm grateful to be a part of this one.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
When I entered this experience, I was still unsure of the direction I wanted to take in the industry. I was thinking about coaching and athletic directing, but it wasn't set in stone. Now that I have been working here for a while, I have developed my passion for student-athlete development and maintaining an athletic department. I want to lead a team that provides students with opportunities to participate in sports, fostering integrity and positivity. I hope to find positions that allow me to work as an athletic director at the high school level.
Internship Format
In Person