By now, you know of my my affinity for Pinterest. I pin recipes, workouts, adorable puppies, sarcastic e-cards, and inspirational quotes. I’m all about those inspirational quotes.

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What you might not know is my eagerness to jump start a career in sports marketing. Over the summer, I spent my lunch hours in the office researching Sports Marketing Masters programs in universities throughout the country. Over spring break, I bought myself a copy of The Dream Job by Melvin Helitzer. The first chapter proved that I’m in the right place. Sports marketing has elements of the entertainment industry, competition and athletics, business and strategy. Yet it’s very open for creativity.

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My next step: look for internships.

Small problem…I’m a full-time college student in a small mountain town with no major (or minor) sports teams. My university doesn’t currently offer any sort of internship program for sports marketing.

…….Yet.

After my enlightening trip to see Warren Buffet last month, I was inspired by the resumes of my peers. So inspired, in fact, I did some proactive work to kick start my career.

What better place for a sports marketing internship than my own university’s athletics program?! I’m already very familiar with the department, being a student-athlete myself for three years. I already had contacts.

I just needed a killer resume and persuasive proposal to send for their consideration in “creating” an internship for me.

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After sending off my resume and a proposal to create an “Undergraduate Sports Marketing Internship,” the athletic director helped set up a meeting between the external relations director and myself.

I watched Sports Center while curling my hair to prepare ;) When the interview started, I was asked what exactly I hoped to get out of this internship. This position didn’t exist yet so I explained my expectations to learn about the “behind-the-scenes” aspect of the sports industry.

We talked about my qualifications and skills.

We talked about the different functions in the department that I could assist with.

We talked about ideas to improve student attendance at home games, and building more support from the local community.

Not to keep you in suspense, I think you can predict the outcome.

I’m so grateful to the university athletic department for considering my request and giving me this amazing opportunity. I am now the Undergraduate Sports Marketing Intern for an NCAA Division I athletic program. If I hadn’t have approached the athletic director, it never would have happened.

Next to my bed, I have more inspirational quotes framed on the wall. One reads: All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. -Walt Disney.

I think it’s important not to settle for ordinary. I wanted an internship that didn’t exist. With a little effort, now it does exist. That’s something I can be proud of. :)

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I’m thrilled to begin working in the athletic department next semester!

If this is finals week for you….GOOD LUCK FRIENDS. We can do it.

My best friend and I were feeling a little dramatic about finals week and declared this it’s theme song:

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