6. Internships 101: How to Turn an Internship Into a Career in Sports

Landing an internship in sports is only the beginning. What you do with that opportunity can launch your career—or stop it before it ever gets started.

In this episode of The Sports Careers Coach, Seth Levit and Jamie Carrig present Internships 101—a practical guide to landing the opportunity, making the right impression, maximizing your experience and turning an internship into the first step of a successful career in sports.

From resumes and cover letters to interviews, professionalism, networking and becoming invaluable once you're inside the organization, Seth and Jamie break down the little things that can make a big difference when you're trying to stand out.

And as promised in the episode, here is the Internships 101 outline Seth and Jamie work from throughout the show. Save it, screenshot it, and use it as a checklist as you pursue your next opportunity. Internships 101 for episode

INTERNSHIPS 101

I. RESUMES / CV

✓ Check your spelling!

✓ Relevant experience

Don't have experience? Get some!

✓ Include references

And ask yourself: Are you sure they're the right references?

✓ Don't get cute

• Cover letters — No face painting!
• Objective — Get to the point.
• Voicemail — Have a professional message on your cell phone.
• Social media — Remember that potential employers may see how you present yourself online. Internships 101 for episode

II. INTERVIEWS

✓ Be early!!!

✓ Dress the part

✓ Be prepared Internships 101 for episode

III. “THE JOB”

Once you've landed the internship, the work really begins.

✓ First one in — last one out

✓ Represent

✓ Be a self-starter

✓ Show some pride

✓ Develop a niche

✓ Results...not excuses

✓ The more you can do

✓ Observe, observe, observe

✓ Develop a new reference

✓ Build your network

✓ Four quarters — finish strong

✓ MAKE THE TOP THREE

Your goal shouldn't simply be to complete an internship. You want to leave the organization having built relationships, developed new skills, established a strong reference and proven that you're someone they would want to hire—or recommend to somebody else.

Think of your internship as one long job interview.

Even if there isn't a full-time position waiting for you when it's over, make yourself the kind of candidate who gets the phone call when one becomes available.

Make the Top 3.

The Sports Careers Coach is hosted by Seth Levit and Jamie Carrig and provides real-world advice to help aspiring sports professionals break in, stand out and build careers that last.