SAEM Student Transfers Passion for Running Into Special Events Summer Internship Monday, August 1, 2016
Meet Emily Maxwell, Transfer Student
Internship: Special Events Intern for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Major: Sports, Arts, and Entertainment Management
Minor: English
Expected graduation: May 2017
College activities: Point Park Honors Program, Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society and participated on the Women's Cross Country Team
Scholarships from Point Park: Transfer Presidential and Steve Stein School of Business Scholarship
Hometown: New Castle, Pa.
High school: Laurel Junior/Senior High School
Now living in: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Hobbies/interests: Running races as an ambassador for Run Gum (this entails being a mix of both brand ambassador and marketing affiliate), and coaching for Girls on the Run at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC
Twitter: EJ_Max
LinkedIn: Emily Maxwell
-- Lauren DiMaria, Development Director, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
"Point Park's students are diverse and motivated and its Downtown location gives you the opportunity to gain professional, real-world experience from day one rather than several years into your degree program."
-- Emily Maxwell
Tell us about your summer internship with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
My main focus as a special events intern for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation was working on the marketing, logistics and cultivation of the Endurance line of events. This includes CF's Run to Cure CF team, CF Cycle for Life and Xtreme Hike. My responsibilities included recruiting event participants, recruiting and overseeing volunteer groups, working with and maintaining relationships with local organizations, researching and acquiring support from local and national companies in the form of cash and in-kind donations, putting together and executing a diverse marketing plan and more!
As a running enthusiast, I was excited to start my internship early and help with preparation and tabling for the run team at the Pittsburgh Marathon and Marathon Expo. I had endless opportunities to meet and connect with a lot of great people, and was able to experience some non-endurance events such as Jam on Walnut, Great Strides North Shore and some 50 Finest honoree events.
How did your SAEM classes prepare you for this internship?
They say that in a nonprofit you wear many hats. I was able to put on every hat that I was asked to wear because of the experiences I have had in my SAEM classes.
Two of my classes really stand out as being instrumental for this internship. First, Event Management with Teresa Gregory was invaluable. I learned to handle all elements of an event from planning to execution, and had the opportunity to apply that knowledge to real life. Additionally, Sports, Arts and Entertainment Marketing and Promotions with David Rowell prepared me in a number of ways. Knowing how to put together a sound marketing plan and marketing materials, as well as knowing how to write press releases, were all huge advantages.
What factors made you choose Point Park?
Ultimately, I chose Point Park because I knew it would challenge me to grow. It's urban so it forces me into an environment vastly different from the one in which I grew up. Point Park's students are diverse and motivated and its Downtown location gives you the opportunity to gain professional, real-world experience from day one rather than several years into your degree program.
Regarding your upcoming senior year, what are you looking forward to the most?
I'm looking forward to seeing what else I can get involved with! I love that I walked off campus to work as an elf at the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Holiday Market in the winter months, and I love that I've been able to volunteer at various races such as the Pittsburgh Marathon, EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler and the Great Race. I have the opportunity to be a part of just about anything that interests me. Lastly, I love that Pittsburgh is such a busy city and will enjoy my final year being in the heart of everything that is going on here.
What are your career goals?
My idea of what I want to do with my career is somewhat flexible, but I know that I am interested in sports-based nonprofits. Specifically, I'm interested in sports and the power it has to be a catalyst for social and individual change.
Anything else you'd like to add?
I recommend to anyone interested in sports, arts and entertainment management to consider an internship at a nonprofit like the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Nonprofits have limited budgets; they have to do a lot of fundraising. The way they fundraise is through events that just so happen to be sports, arts or entertainment events. I can't think of a better way to get a taste of all three areas.
Photos by Shayna Mendez, senior photojournalism major