West Virginia ””:http://www.wvu.edu University ””:http://www.wvu.edu senior Nick Sterkel, a sports management major from Boulder, Colo., is gaining practical work experience at the internship of his dreams this summer.
Sterkel is interning with Colorados hockey team, the Avalanche.
I grew up watching this team, so to get an internship with them was a dream come true,said Sterkel.
Sterkel knew he wanted to go back home for the summer, however he wanted an internship where he would gain applicable experience. He began his search by submitting a resume and cover letter to Kroenke Sports Enterprises, which owns several teams including the Avalanche and the Denver Nuggets.
Around 300 students applied for positions with the company. After narrowing it down to 100, the company conducted phone interviews with the selected applicants. In the end they picked 12 for their summer internship program; six to work for the Nuggets and six to work with the Avalanche.
After being selected, all of the interns participated in a two-day training seminar. From there the interns were split up and trained within their specific departments.
Sterkel begins each work day by calling various businesses to set up meetings to discuss purchasing season tickets. Some days the interns are also permitted to accompany the account executives to the meetings.
We explain the benefits of holding season tickets and slowly walk them into purchasing the tickets,Sterkel said.
Nick believes his schooling at WVU prepared him for this internship. He already knew the industry and was able to jump right in.
In one of my classes we discussed selling and purchasing tickets, how to market the team and make people want to buy tickets,Sterkel said.
Sterkel also works for WVU s athletic department when school is in session. He is hoping his position with WVU and his internship will help him to be more marketable after graduation.
He is planning on applying for a job with Kroenke Sports Enterprises.
They look highly upon students who have interned with them previously and those students have a better chance than someone who did not,Sterkel said.