Marketing Intern at Mario Lemieux Foundation is a Point Park SAEM Major Thursday, August 15, 2013
Meet Stephanie Driscoll
Internship: Marketing Intern at the Mario Lemieux Foundation
Major: Sport, Arts, and Entertainment Management
Minor: Marketing
Expected Graduation: May 2015
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
High School: Tampa Catholic High School
Hobbies/Interests: Working, interning, volunteering, watching sports (especially hockey), reading, writing, traveling, spending time with family and friends, meeting new people and yoga (when I have the time)
How did you land your summer internship with the Mario Lemieux Foundation?
I emailed the Foundation in 2012 inquiring about a fall internship but the spot was filled at the time so I ended up landing an internship at Carnegie Science Center's Highmark SportsWorks. Then in the spring I received an email from the foundation about a summer internship opportunity. They invited me in for an interview and the rest is history.
Describe the experiences you've gained at your internship.
Interning at the MLF has been everything I thought it would be and more. I'm actually working with the staff as opposed to working for them and my opinion is asked on a lot of different projects. I've been given responsibility to take on my own projects, and that means a lot to me. With all of this first-hand marketing experience, I feel better prepared in facing situations as opposed to only learning about them through textbooks and lectures. Interning for an organization that encompasses both the sports and nonprofit worlds has given me an entirely different perspective on what I want to pursue after college. I never thought about the nonprofit side of sports before I began interning at the Lemieux Foundation. This internship has opened my eyes to new employment opportunities.
What's it been like living on campus this summer?
As someone who isn't from Pittsburgh, it's nice to experience a new place during a different time of the year. Normally, I would have been packing to go back to Tampa, but instead I was able stay on campus and live in the Boulevard Apartments. I like the convenience of being in Downtown Pittsburgh and being able to walk to work yet still have easy access to mass transportation. Living in the Boulevard Apartments makes me feel independent and doesn't resemble a dorm in any way. It's also a safe place to live. Security is in the lobby 24/7 and residents are required to show an ID and have a PIN number to enter the building.
Did Point Park's Downtown Pittsburgh location play a role in your decision to attend the University?
It was a tie between the location and the educational benefits. I look back at my decision and nothing I have accomplished thus far in both my professional and personal life would have been possible without Point Park. The friendships and connections I made have helped me in every way possible. The campus location adds to the opportunities, as there are many great companies within walking distance. Point Park's Downtown campus setting makes it feel more professional and less like a typical campus, which is a huge positive for students looking to gain professional, career-related experience.
Please list your other internship and career-related experiences.
- Box office assistant, Highmark Stadium
- Game day intern, Pittsburgh Power
- 50/50 raffle staff, Pittsburgh Pirates
- Intern, Carnegie Science Center's Highmark SportsWorks
- Volunteer, Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation
What are your career goals and how do you think the SAEM program will help you reach them?
My ultimate goal is to pursue the marketing side of the sports industry, but I am open to all of the different possibilities and opportunities offered in sports and beyond. Learning to be open to jobs you honestly didn't expect is one of the added benefits of the SAEM major. This major is so broad, yet so specific at the same time as it helps you to understand exactly what it is you want to do and how to develop skills that will give you an advantage over others who apply for the same jobs. With the guidance I've received from Professor Steve Tanzilli, Angela Scaramucci, Tom McMillan and countless others, I feel more prepared to face the real world and all that it has to offer. Without Point Park and its SAEM program, I can say honestly that I would not have accomplished what I have thus far.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I would just like to add how thankful I am for all of those who have mentored, inspired and encouraged me along my journey. For everything great that has happened to me (even something like landing an internship), I am always thankful for the people who have helped me get there. I look forward to whatever the future holds and the individuals I will meet along the way. I know the rest of my journey will be bright.