Landing an internship in sports might seem impossible, but a group of ambitious young professionals just spent the 2025 season proving it’s totally doable. The internship program at a major Bay Area organization gave these interns hands-on experience across departments like marketing, communications, photography, and analytics, and their insights are gold for anyone trying to crack into the industry.

What stands out most from talking to this intern class? It’s not just about the glamorous game day moments (though they definitely had plenty of those). The real magic happened in the everyday work: building relationships across departments, saying yes to opportunities that scared them, and learning how to stay calm under pressure.

Avery Lee, who interned in the foundation’s community-focused work, emphasizes the power of curiosity and genuine relationship-building. “Work to build relationships around the organization and really put in the effort to maintain those relationships”, they shared. “The internship will go by so quickly, so take in every moment and be where your feet are!”

For those working behind the scenes, the lessons hit differently. Malik Shumpert, a graphic designer, watched his work literally printed out by fans at games, a surreal moment that showed how far-reaching even “small” creative tasks actually are. Meanwhile, Cassidy McGuire learned to trust her instincts and creativity, overcoming self-doubt with encouragement from colleagues who genuinely believed in her potential.

The tech side matters too. Pedro Penaloza worked on accessibility initiatives for major sporting events, implementing devices that let hearing and visually-impaired fans fully experience games. That kind of work reminds us that sports organizations are doing way more than just entertainment.

What’s really refreshing is that everyone highlighted the same thing: the people. Sydney Grossfeld called the organization a “family”, while Kailyn Cover made friendships she expects to last a lifetime. These aren’t just networking connections, they’re genuine relationships built through shared work and mutual respect.

The advice these interns give future candidates is consistent: be proactive, embrace the pace, build relationships across departments, and don’t be afraid to fail. Eli Makaron put it perfectly: “Be a hand raiser and proactive right from the start”. The organization wants to help you succeed, but you have to actively seek out those opportunities and mentors.

For anyone dreaming about a career in sports, this is the blueprint. Show up ready to work, stay curious, build real connections, and remember that your contributions matter, whether you’re directing videos, designing graphics, or implementing new tech. The Bay Area sports scene is hiring, and these interns just proved that with the right mindset, you can absolutely make it happen.