The Cleveland Browns Edge Program is not just any internship program.
Professional sports teams have a unique platform to facilitate success off the field in their community. It’s especially impactful when organizations find a way to do that while preparing the next generation of youth to work in the sports industry.
The Cleveland Browns and the University of Findlay have found a way to do just that through a partnership founded on combining education with real world experiences.
The Cleveland Browns Edge Program was created in 2015, through a partnership aiming to drive student success. Since then, the program has grown exponentially and continues to positively impact young professionals today.
The idea behind the program is to utilize the resources of both the University and the Browns organizations to prepare students for a career in sports.
Dr. Katherine Fell, President of the University of Findlay, spoke confidently about the partnership in a release.
“This partnership is about two strong organizations coming together to build a pathway to careers in the sports industry, enhance student experiences and give Findlay students the edge needed to get into this competitive career field.”
The partnership offers students at the University of Findlay a variety of resources and opportunities. Some of these include a paid, full-time internship, networking and professional development opportunities, and even an annual scholarship competition.
The Browns Edge Program combines the University of Findlay’s academic leadership with industry experiences from Browns’ professionals.
It is a match made in heaven for those hoping to break into the sports industry.
For the Browns, the partnership expands the organization’s commitment to education, while impacting students through mentorship and professional advice. For the University of Findlay, it provides students the opportunity to get first-hand experience in the field and gain exposure to well-established professionals in the industry.
According to Browns President Alec Scheiner in a release via the University of Findlay, “We [also] look forward to learning from the University of Findlay and providing opportunities to their students to supplement their academic studies with applicable sports business experience.”
One unique aspect of the program is the opportunity to meet with Browns’ professionals to hear their stories and ask questions regarding career advice. Some of the topics covered include the importance of social media presence, interview preparation and how to stand out from the crowd.
In this day in age, it is extremely difficult to work your way into the sports industry. Internship experience is all but required and relevant work experience can become a deal-breaker on a resume. So what is it that makes this the Browns Edge Program different from other professional development experiences?
This program is driven by passion coming from multiple places. Students have the opportunity to put their passion to work, the Cleveland Browns organization is passionate about developing the next generation of leaders in sports, and the University of Findlay is passionate about providing students the resources to succeed and creating experiential learning opportunities.
This is not simply another internship program. There is a strategic plan in place to best position these aspiring professionals for success now and in the future.
Additionally, students have a chance to become a Browns Scholar and earn a $10,000 scholarship. The scholarships are highly competitive, awarded each year to one underclassmen and one upperclassmen, who are then recognized at a Browns home game. This is just one more unique aspect of the Edge Program.
The Browns Edge Program challenges students to take what they are learning in the classroom and apply it in the field. The goal is to develop highly skilled graduates who are ready to succeed in the sports industry. The vision of this program opens up doors for students that were not there before.
The possibilities are endless when a prestigious academic institution and driven professionals in the sports industry come together like this with the future of students in mind.
For more information on this unique program and partnership, visit https://www.findlay.edu/academics/browns-edge/.
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