Turning Sports Internships Into Jobs

WorkInsports Podcast host/VP of Content and Engaged Learning Brian Clapp is a staunch advocate of the value of internship experience to give you a leg up when looking for a job in the sports industry. But, once you have an internship, what comes next? That's what Chanel in Mississippi wants to know:

"Hey Brian, I am in the final two months of a spring internship at my dream organization. I have LOVED this internship, and it has been everything I had hoped for and more. But it's going to end soon, and I'm feeling a little bummed. What are the chances I can turn this into a full-time job, and what should I do over the next two months to position myself as a future employee?"

How to Turn an Internship Into a Job

In a 2019 National Association of Colleges and Employers survey, 56.1% of interns reported that they turned their internship into a full-time job at the same company upon graduation. One of the main reasons they were able to do that is because interns have already built connections within the organization and are a familiar face to hiring managers. Of course, knowing your co-workers is an important first step, but that won't do the job (no pun intended) alone. You also need to excel within your internship and show potential co-workers that you can get the job done in a full-time role.

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Sports internships give you inside knowledge of when your organization is hiring. A key to positioning yourself for full-time employment is knowing what jobs the company is hiring for and if any are a match for you. Once you have that knowledge, you should:

•    Identify the skills they are looking for when hiring
•    Audit your skills and determine what gaps you need to fill for consideration
•    Advocate for yourself to your internship coordinator -- don't assume they already know you are interested in continuing to work there

Each sports internship is a networking opportunity, and a key part of turning an internship into a job is building relationships within the company. Since internships are learning experiences, you should meet various people as you learn the ropes of your industry. Those relationships can make or break the work environment, and can potentially give you internal advocates? ready and willing to vouch for you during the hiring process.

Catch the full episode for more tips on how to turn an internship into a job. Also, subscribe to the WorkInSports Podcast for more sports career advice, and view additional content on our YouTube channel.