Erica Nossaman

Major: Event Management
Company/Organization: Iowa State Athletics
Company/Organization website: https://cyclones.com/
Destination: Ames, Iowa
Timeframe: Fall
Advisor/Coordinator Email: rmcclain@iastate.edu

Responsibilities

Planning, setting up for, and managing all game day events involving: soccer, volleyball, men's and women's track & field, men's and women's basketball, gymanstics, tennis, wrestling, and softball. Execute inclement weather policies, emergency response plans, and hospitality to visiting teams and officials. Manage volunteers and security staff, train interns, and music selection. Serve as manager-on-duty.

Accomplishments

Working the Cy-Hawk game this year was definitely the most exciting and memorable. We expected a crazy day with the rivalry game and hosting College Gameday, but the day was longer and crazier than I was prepared for. The day of the game, there were multiple weather delays, so as interns we were available for any issues that happened during that time. I ended up having to drive a man who needed stitches to his car in the hail, we had to stop students who rushed the field, and we had to order some emergency pizza for the officials since the delays lasted so long into the evening. Overall, the day was long and full of surprises, but it was a great accomplishment when the teams eventually got to play the game out. All of us interns even got to take a picture on the Gameday stage, which is an awesome memory.

Learning experience

I've learned to be comfortable with the unknown through this internship. There are always things that you won't be able to control or plan for, so it's important to have the skills to think and make decisions on the spot when something goes wrong. I've learned a lot from my bosses by seeing how they handle unexpected situations like weather delays and keep their cool while working through those situations. I've also learned the magnitude of putting on the athletic events and preparing for over 60,000 spectators.

What advice would you give?

I encourage students to go ahead and pursue opportunities for event management experience, even if it's not in the area you think you want to work in the future. Although I don't see myself working in athletics as a full time career, this internship has developed and prepared me for a future career in so many ways. You will learn things that apply to any sector of the event industry, and might even end up changing your mind about what you want for your future career. Any and all experience is valuable experience, so if an opportunity comes up, take it!

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