American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD

 Issue: February 2004

Sport Management Internships: Agency Perspectives, Expectations, and Concerns
Jo Williams

Abstract:
Should we hire a sport management intern in our organization or department? What role will the intern play? How will we benefit? What can we expect from sport management interns in terms of preparation and commitment? How easy is it to find, select, and work with an appropriately prepared intern? Professionals ask all of these questions when they consider bringing student interns into their organization. Differing perspectives, expectations, and concerns regarding interns exist among agency internship supervisors. This article addresses some of these issues and provides prospective student interns and college or university internship coordinators with an increased awareness and understanding of the diverse range of agency internship issues. The author presents information gathered during the selection and supervision of 15 to 20 interns over five years in the event-management field. Additional perspectives are also provided by current professionals who are working with interns in a variety of areas in the sport industry.

Article category: Adding Rigor to the Sport Management Internship-Part 2