I loved everything about my internship with the Florida Panthers. For example, I loved the hands on experience that I gained from working with a professional hockey team, I loved the insight I learned about the Foundation department as well as the NHL organization, I loved giving back to people in need in the South Florida community, I loved the behind the scenes of working for a professional hockey team, I loved my co-workers, I loved being able to assist in the planning for the upcoming season, I loved being able to shadow other departments to learn about more about every department that makes up a professional hockey team's organization and I loved being able to have a voice as an intern and help make final decisions.
What I wish was different
The one thing I wish that would have been different was the time of the year. I worked for the Florida Panthers when it was off season. I would love to work for a professional hockey team during the season.
Advice
Take every internship opportunity given to you. I always thought I was going to work for a Marketing department upon graduation. After holding an internship with a Foundation department, I want to pursue a career working for a professional hockey team's Foundation department.
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Marketing Intern
February - July 2018 • Sunrise, FL
What I liked
Everything about it.
What I wish was different
Nothing.
Advice
It was the best experience I've ever had.
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Communications/Marketing Intern
June - August 2018 • Sunrise, FL
What I liked
What a question! I absolutely loved every aspect of my two summers spent with the Panthers. It was a fantastic, exciting, engaging atmosphere day in and day out. My boss, Director of Digital Media Adelyn Biedenbach, challenged me daily and allowed me to interact with people and take on projects that most interns would never dream to be able to meet with or do. Indeed, I established a great relationship with the President of the Panthers, Matt Caldwell, and several others in their executive staff both in the hockey operations side and the business side.
I've worked for 3 years now as student manager/video coordinator of our men's division 1 team here at Union, which has been a life-changing experience. Through this, I've worked in the operations side of a sports team, and now with my internship with the Panthers, I have great experience on the business side, especially in communications and marketing.
What I wish was different
I wish I could be there during the year! Working there was great over the summer, but the only time I got to work through actual hockey games was during the development and rookie camps. I've been told the regular season is a whole different beast, and I wish I could experience it. Amazingly, the Panthers staff has graciously offered to host me to any game they play up north so that I can see what goes on, and I plan on attending the Panthers @ Bruins game next March so that I can see it first hand.
Advice
I've had some pretty great internships thus far, and by far the most important thing I've learned is the importance of attitude. As an intern, you always have to be willing to take on any project with hunger and a smile. Sometimes, that project may not be the most glamorous, but if an employer sees that you're willing to go the extra mile to accomplish a goal that they set out for you, I think it goes a long way, and they'll reward you with bigger and better projects to undertake. You have to establish that trust with your coworkers. It's the kind of thing that, hopefully, bosses remember when they're considering whether or not to offer you a full-time position later on.
