Soccer Operations

How did you get your internship and why did you choose this experience?

I’ve played soccer my whole life and secured my internship with FC Tucson because of the connections I made while playing. I reached out to my previous coach I had at the U of A, and he was more than willing to help me out with setting up an internship role with FC Tucson. He was excited to see someone as genuinely interested in the soccer industry as he was.

I chose this internship because I have always had a love for sports. I have been just as passionate about the business side as sports as playing sports themselves and really see this as a career I could pursue. I really wanted to learn more and gain more insight as to how it is working in this industry. Lastly, I got to be around the sport I loved which I really enjoyed. Getting to work for a professional team was like a dream come true to me. I got to learn a ton and watch professionals play.

What did you find most challenging about your internship?

There was a pretty massive challenge that the FC Tucson club faced during my time there. The club was relegated out of the professional league due to logistic reasons with the Tucson community, leaving me with no additional work through the club. I kept in constant contact with my supervisor and he was able to help me line up another job through the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). This role was a bit different than my original work but proved to be very rewarding. I had to be flexible and resilient, but I ended up having a great experience and made great connections through the experience. I got to learn about a whole new area of the sports industry while working this college national tournament.

How has your internship experience influenced your plans for your future?

I plan to apply for jobs at the soccer club near where I live back home. Thankfully, I’ve made some great connections through my internship and they’ve agreed to vouch for me. Because of that, my plan to continue in the sports industry feels like it could become a reality which I’m really excited about.

What advice do you have for other students as they search for and begin their internship?

Pursue something that interests you! I enjoyed every minute of my internship because the whole industry was interesting to me. When you do something that interests you, you will either love it or realize it wasn’t for you. Both are important things to learn.

Lastly, be open and flexible. Finding the right internship is no easy task. Be patient and keep working hard to get an internship that will benefit your future career.