FAQs
Below are a list of frequently asked questions that students encounter with internships and their respective answers. Remember to ask your advisor and internship supervisor if you have questions about your internship; they are there to help you advise you.
Q: Where do I find an internship?
A: There are a few places to initially look and people to consult with when looking for an internship in your field:
- Try talking with your advisor about any openings they have heard of or know about. Also look for Dr. Armentrout's emails sent out often to the students in the program about internship openings.
- Try talking to someone you may know in a field you are interested in. Networking is vital when it comes to obtaining an internship. Use your relationships to inquire about possible internships and potentially obtain one.
- Another great place to inquire and obtain internships are job/internship fairs. The Minnesota Twins and host one in the fall and Minnesota Timber wolves host one in the spring. Many professional teams and companies from an array of sport organizations attend. This is a great place to make connections, find out information about the possible internships, and meet people in your interested field.
- You can also cold-contact a business, company, or organization you are interested in interning for. It never hurts to ask!
Q: What kind of internship should I look for?
A: Look for an internship that interests you in the sport management field. The best internships are the ones where you are required to complete a vast range of duties and use many skills to accomplish these duties. You want an internship that is going to be fun, interesting, experiential, challenging, and help you understand the industry more.
Q: How will I know if my internship will be acceptable?
A: Your internship will be acceptable if you have: a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for undergraduate students or 3.0 for graduate students, completion of 12 core credit hours of academic course work in the major, upper level students status for the major, have a site supervisor throughout your internship, and will gain professional development experience.
Q: When can I register for my internship credits?
A: You can register for your internship credits once you gain permission from your internship coordinator or supervisor. You can also register for credits at any point throughout the semester except for the last week of the semester.
Q: Can I start my internship before I turn in my forms?
A: No. For you to gain approval of your internship, you first need to fill out all of the forms with your site supervisor and turn them into the internship coordinator or your advisor.
Q: Do I have to register for all my credits at once?
A: No you do not have to. You can split your credits up through different semesters as long as you are registered in at least one credit while doing your internship to be able to access the internship course on D2L.
Q: How do I keep track of my assignments, times, and information during my internship?
A: Remember to closely follow your internship instructions given to you by your advisor. You will have to be personally responsible for filling out time sheets, completing the reviews, completing the final project and turning in assignments by yourself and without much guidance. Set up a system where you routinely fill out your time card and reflect on your experiences. Once you get into your routine, you will find it easier to accomplish and manage.
Q: Why do I have to complete 450 internship hours (50 hours per credit)?
A: The hours required for the sport management major are set to give you the full experience of the internship. You will need days, weeks, and months to gain the full experience of each internship you partake in. Each internship offers a unique experience and most of it cannot be learned and experienced without a large amount of time spend doing it.
Q: What happens if I do not like my duties and/or internship?
A: Keep in mind that not all internships and the duties required are going to be glamorous. Some are going to be more fun than others, but you will need to do them to complete the internship and learn what the entire job entails. Doing the unpleasant duties proudly and effectively can actually help you in your internship. While learning that these duties need to be completed, you will also show a willingness to do the job, no matter what the duties are.
Q: What if I do not finish my hours?
A: Since most internships do not match up with the same months as our semester, you probably will not finish your hours in one semester. Be sure you are registered for at least one internship credit while doing your internship hours.
Q: What if I don't get enough internship hours to complete all of my credits?
A: If you do not complete 450 hours (50 hours per credit) you have the option to complete another internship to gain enough hours. Be sure to be registered in at least one credit while completing internship hours.
Q: What do I do after I complete my internship?
A: You will need to turn in all your journals, assignments, reviews, and final projects. You should also talk to your internship supervisor about your experiences and reflect on the feedback they provide. Use the feedback to better yourself and help you obtain a job in the sport management field. Make sure to keep your relationships that you've created at your internship. Networking is one of the most important factors when obtaining a job in the sport management field.
Q: What needs to be included in the portfolio?
A: Information about a portfolio can be found in the internship syllabus.
