5 Takeaways From My Summer Internship

By: Todd Rogers, @Todd_TTU

My summer internship here at ACU has finally come to a close. Its crazy to think that my time here this summer is over as it just seems like I was starting my first day last week. As the summer has gone by, I have learned so much about my self both personally and professionally. The experiences I have learned here at ACU I know will last and have an impact on the rest of my career. With my last post of the summer, I would like to highlight some of the things I have learned.

1. Be excellent in everything you do

Always perform to the best of your abilities and give 100%. Take the time to do work correct the first time and to do high quality work. Always take the time to double check everything you do, it is better to take time and do it right the first time than to have to start all over.

2. Show up early and stay late

While this is an old cliche of internships and entry-level jobs, it really cant be any more true. There is no better way to make a strong impression on someone than to be willing to come in early or stay late helping another.

3. Be willing to do any task

Especially as an intern, you are never to big to do any task. Everything that is done at an organization is done for a reason. The mindset I always have is that I may not see the value in a specific task that I am doing, but someone else does. Each organization has monotonous tasks that much be completed and, as an intern, you may be stuck doing them sometimes, but doing these lets someone else in the department work on different projects. Additionally, I believe that all leaders should have a strong idea of how their department works from top to bottom, including the monotonous tasks.

4. Internships are more than just the experience received

While the projects that I have worked on have given me a great experience that has certainly helped me grow as a professional, the relationships I have made have been just as valuable. Working in a small department has allowed me to get to know many of the people I work with and I know that they will all be key relationships in my network moving forward in my career.

5. Never turn down any opportunity

As often as I could this summer, I would always say yes to any opportunity that I had. Whether it be sitting in on a head coaches meeting, creating a club sport program for ACU, or taking on other tasks, I always tried to say yes to everything. As an intern, I want to be able to take in an learn as much as possible, and the best way to do that is to say yes to every opportunity.

This summer that I have spent at ACU has been an experience that I know will stick with me throughout the rest of my career, I have enjoyed every second of it and am sad to see it come to a close. For other young professional, undergraduate, or graduate students out there, I couldn’t recommend finding an internship enough. Internships can provide you with the experiences and opportunities that propels the rest of your career. Even if there aren’t any posted internships but there is a certain organization you want to be at, reach out and offer to volunteer! I got my first opportunity at ACU by just reaching out and volunteering and it has become one of the best decisions I have made. To all the people that have followed along with my story this summer, thank you! It has been great to be able to share my experiences at ACU through Front Office Sports over the course of the summer!