My name is Aaron Smith, and I’m proud to call Suffield, Connecticut, home. Last summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern with the Travelers Championship, a prestigious PGA Tour event held right here in Cromwell, CT. I first learned about this internship a few years back at a Sport Business Association meeting and decided to apply last fall. The application process was thorough, requiring a recommendation, cover letter, resume, and an interview. Following the interview, I was asked to prepare a presentation with a tight 24-hour deadline. A month later, I was thrilled to receive an email confirming my acceptance into the Travelers Championship internship program!
Unlike typical summer internships, mine kicked off in late January. I joined the championship team at their Hartford office, working directly with the Directors of Business Development as part of the sales team. My responsibilities were diverse and engaging from day one. Initially, I focused on outreach, sending emails and making calls to numerous potential partners. I also conducted research to identify new client opportunities and contributed to presentation development. Importantly, my supervisors valued my input, encouraging me to share suggestions on how to enhance the tournament’s success.
As the tournament date approached, we transitioned from the Hartford office to the tournament site in Cromwell. This move broadened my role significantly. I became involved in the logistical setup of the tournament grounds and accompanied my supervisors to meetings with key partners. During the Travelers Championship week itself, I served as the primary tournament contact for several events, gaining invaluable experience in event management and partner relations.
This internship at the Travelers Championship was more than just a summer job; it was a truly invaluable hands-on learning experience. It provided me with deep insights into the sports industry that classroom learning simply can’t replicate. The sheer scale of an event like the Travelers Championship demands meticulous planning and execution. It requires immense dedication and effort from every member of the staff and intern team to ensure its success. For me, the ultimate reward was a profound sense of accomplishment and the confirmation that I am pursuing the right career path. My experience solidified my passion for working within a professional sports organization, ideally in a sales or marketing capacity. I am now even more motivated to further my education and pursue my career goals in this exciting industry.
