Sports Internships – Networking Opportunities
Some professionals argue that the greatest benefits an internship can provide are the networking connections you’ll make. One of the most common phrases thrown around the sports business community is some variant of, “It isn’t WHAT you know; it’s WHO you know.” Sports employers like to hire people they are familiar with. An internship is the perfect way to make yourself a known quantity to a potential employer. During your stay with the company or sports team or league, you’ll likely have the chance to meet employees of other sports related companies. These contacts will prove invaluable, not only as you start your career, but as useful Rolodex entries to tap into throughout your career.
Once your internship is complete, these networking benefits should not subside. It is up to you, however, to make the most of the contacts you make and maintain a lasting network. One effective way to do this is to setup a business networking account on sites such as LinkedIn and Plaxo. The primary purpose of these sites is to establish a permanent home for your professional resume and contact information. You will then be able to add your professional and personal contacts to your network, ensuring that you always have a means by which to contact them. Since people are constantly changing jobs, maintaining an updatable profile on one of these sites eliminates the risk of losing contacts.