Internships, My Summer, and more…
Wow! It’s been so long since I have updated my personal website. I have been so busy with life recently! I finally had the opportunity to sit down and update you all on how my life has been going. Now that 2022 is quickly coming to an end, I felt that it was the perfect time to sit back and reflect on my year. Between school, internships, my summer and more, 2022 has been a great year.
Starting the year off, I completed the second half of the NFL and NHL season as a Production Runner. Getting the opportunity to work with various broadcasting networks such as ESPN, NBC Sports, Fox Sports, and CBS Sports, the word I would use is exciting. The biggest highlight from this time was having the opportunity to work alongside Erin Andrews and the Fox Sports team at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers versus Philadelphia Eagles game. Here, I got the opportunity to watch Andrews interview Tom Brady on the field at Raymond James Stadium. At 20 years old, this was a surreal moment. I had thought that was going to be the biggest highlight from my year, but it only got more thrilling.
As my Junior year came to a close, I found out that I was selected to be a part of the National Football League summer internship program. I still remember the day I found out. I had a sorority event that day and was getting my nails done with a few friends. I called my parents, screaming from excitement. This had been a lifelong goal of mine, and in that moment, I felt like I made it. I was so proud of myself, knowing that all of the hard work I had put in between academics, extracurriculars, and more, had finally paid off. I then prepared to move to Los Angeles, California for the summer. At this time, I was excited and nervous. I had only been to California once before at ten years old, but moving over 3,000 miles away from my hometown was the next step in my journey. Taking on this next step in my life, I knew it would be good for me. It was an opportunity I knew I couldn’t pass up.
Throughout the month of May, I took the time to prepare for my move and took an online course at the University of Tampa. As a transfer student, I have been hustling to graduate in May 2023 and complete all of the credits I needed in order to do so. Once June rolled around, life had become more real.
I remember the day I flew to California. I spent that entire night spending time with my two yellow labs, Otis and Urlacher, knowing I would not see them again until August. I was filled with angst, excitement, nervousness, and so many different feelings. My parents and I woke up at 3 am to drive to NYC to fly out of JFK. I said my goodbyes to my dogs and father, and my mom and I were headed to Los Angeles. Throughout that six hour flight, I took the time to soak in all of the views. The mountains of Colorado were my favorite. It had been ten years since I flew across the country, and I was ready for the warm weather and sunshine in California. This was it. I was about to start an internship at a company I had dreamt of being a part of since I was a little girl. This was going to be my summer.
Landing at the airport with my mother, we gathered our luggage and spent time with some family and friends in the Pacific Palisades. This is probably one of my favorite neighborhoods. On our morning walks, we soaked in the views of the Pacific Coast highway and Santa Monica Pier. As the start of my internship neared and my mother was about to fly back to New York, I still couldn’t believe life was real.
June sixth was the first day of my internship. I had packed my bag, charged my phone, and got my outfit ready. I wore a bright red blazer, matching pants, and Nike Air Jordan 1 Low’s. Throughout the summer, I never adjusted to the time change, so I woke up at 4:00 am and researched ‘must things to do’ in California. My mother dropped me off at the office, and in simple terms, I felt like I was starting some sort of new life. I was anxious to meet the other interns. I had never met them before, but I was so excited to be around another group of college students from various parts of the country.
I met the team and walked to my desk. Walking around the office, I was truly amazed. My desk had my name on it, which I had never had before! On my way to my office area, I walked down the stairs and passed by a familiar face. To my surprise, it was the Los Angeles Rams and Super Bowl winning Quarterback, Matthew Stafford. From day one, I hit the ground running and I was ready to work hard.
Between the months of June and August, I put my all into my internship. At times, I would arrive at the office early just to have a morning coffee and look out at SoFi stadium. From then on, I got to be a part of a variety of projects and teams. From the Hall of Fame In Memoriam Project, Back Together Saturday Los Angeles Rams Training Camp, shadowing the Social Production team, or meeting with various people across the league, no day was ever the same. That's what makes the sports industry so exciting. There is always breaking news, always something new and that is what makes me so passionate about it.
Outside of the office, I embraced living in California. I would spend my time going to workout classes in West Hollywood, visiting Griffiths Observatory, walking around downtown Culver City, or having breakfast at Hermosa Beach. I was able to attend the 2022 ESPYs in Hollywood as well. I had the opportunity to meet a variety of professional athletes such as Katie Ledecky, Odell Beckham Junior, Paul Rabil, and many more. I also got to watch notable NBA players play Saturday afternoon pickup at the Drew League in Compton. Then, I got to visit the University of Southern California, and was immediately mesmerized by the campus.
Once August came and my time as an intern was coming to an end, I began preparing for my senior year at the University of Tampa. Throughout my final week, I took the time to soak in my experience, reflect, and say my goodbyes to all of the wonderful people I had met. I had so many meaningful conversations with so many different people, which left a lasting impact on me. On my final day, I remember crying on my final drive home from the office. I had such a positive experience and I was truly going to miss it.
Being a part of the NFL internship program was, again, surreal. Growing up in New England, Super Bowl Sunday’s were always so special to me. My family would always host Super Bowl watch parties, invite friends over, and cook the best food. Especially when the Patriots won, it seemed like a holiday for us New England fans. Many of my friends would skip school and drive up to Boston for the parade.
As a female, football has always been a special part of my life. I remember swimming in the pool one day while my older brother and his friends played football in the front yard. Curious, I went up to my brother and asked him to teach me how to throw a football. His friends seemed confused, but in time, I learned how to throw a football. Not many of my other friends could, so whenever I saw people throwing a football at the beach or in gym class, I always liked jumping in. Football has and always will hold a special place in my heart.
While I only got to spend a brief two weeks and my 21st birthday back home in Connecticut, I then flew back to Tampa to begin my senior year. Getting to see my friends again face to face made me so happy. While I had such an amazing summer, I truly missed them, and I was ready to be a student again. Then, it was time to prepare for my second season as a Production Runner. Most recently, I got to work with the Amazon Prime team for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers versus Baltimore Ravens game. This was an amazing experience, and now, I have worked as a Production Runner with every broadcast network!
Now, as Thanksgiving nears, I continue to reflect on this past year and look ahead towards my future and post-graduate life. I am continuing my search for opportunities within the field of sports, media, and entertainment. Being a woman in sports has truly empowered me. Growing up as a student-athlete my entire life, I have always valued the importance of being a team player and all the life lessons that it has taught me. When faced with the fact that my career was over due to an injury, I knew that I needed to translate that same energy and motivation into something I was truly passionate about. Instead of being an athlete, I wanted to be in a field where I could still be a part of the athletic atmosphere.
As I pave my way through school, my career, and more, I look back at 2022 and all of the wonderful things it has taught me. If I could touch on one key takeaway from this year, it would be to go after what you are passionate about. If you show up, work hard, and put your all into something you are passionate about whether it is relationships, academics, your career, or a certain goal you might have, continue working hard. Eventually, it will pay off. The world is your oyster. So far, I can say 2022 has been one of, if not the best, year of my life!
