Shae Bernhardt
Responsibilities
In my role as an Iowa State University Athletics Marketing Intern, I complete a wide variety of tasks. First and foremost, I assist in developing and executing marketing strategies for ISU athletic events to increase game attendance and fan engagement. Additionally, I support the setup, execution, and breakdown of marketing materials on game days (signage, fan areas). But the most exciting part of my role is implementing game day promotions (t-shirt tosses), giveaways, and fan experiences.
Accomplishments
My greatest accomplishment during my internship experience was the connections I made with other staff members. Through collaboration on tasks, participating in team meetings, and game day operations, I was able to establish strong professional relationships across different departments. These connections not only enriched my learning experience but also gave me valuable insight into various roles within the organization. Building these relationships has given me a sense of belonging and helped me grow both personally and professionally.
Learning experience
The greatest lesson I learned throughout this experience was the importance of being driven and self-motivated. To me, that looks like taking initiative and not waiting for opportunities to come to you—but going out and creating them. This internship pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone by taking on unfamiliar tasks and projects, which ultimately opened up new areas of interest I hadn’t considered before. In the sports industry, being coachable and adaptable is just as important as having knowledge or experience. Most of all, this experience reaffirmed my passion for athletics and showed me how far that passion can take you when paired with drive and determination.
What advice would you give?
Don't be discouraged by rejection, sports is an extremely competitive industry that relies heavily on your connections and personality. Everything will work out the way it's supposed to if you believe in yourself and put yourself out there!