Internship offers insight into the realm of sports

Photo courtesy of Bryce Loshman

Internships come in many forms. Paid and unpaid. Semester and yearly. And for one Drake student, her internship led her to the world of sports and broadcasts.

While Des Moines does not have any professional sports teams, internships are still available. Sports anchors and journalists in particular are needed for Des Moines.

Senior Sami Richmond finished her internship for the Des Moines hockey team,  the Buccaneers (a Tier 1 junior team). Drawn to her attention by her advisor, she quickly applied. Originally, she interviewed her sophomore year, but did not receive the job. The team, however, remembered her and called her junior year to offer her the job.

“It has been my goal since I was a child to work in sports broadcasting,” explained Richmond. “When I saw the opportunity, I was ecstatic and realized it could quite literally make my dreams come true.”

She was hired as a radio broadcaster, but like many internships, learned about multiple aspects of the business. She filed weekly reports, conducted post-game shows, held interviews with players and coaches and ran the video board during the games.

Having so many different duties, Richmond explained that her internship was incredibly flexible. Her boss, the Vice President of Communication and Radio Broadcaster Scott Montesano, had to approve her projects, but Richmond was able to suggest them at will.

“I get to learn what I want to learn and do what I want to do,” Richmond said.

The internship lasted from September to April of last year during the hockey season, but Richmond made strong connections and was asked back as a part-time employee for this year’s season.

The internship has been a great help for Richmond.

“I was able to have the desire, confidence and skill to work for ESPN Radio this past summer, solely based on the experience I’ve had with the Bucs and with radio on campus,” Richmond said.

Her advice to students who are interested in sports internships, is simply to do them.

“It is the best field to work in. You literally go to work to have fun,” Richmond said.

If interested in sports internships, Career BluePrint has several listed such as the ones aforementioned.