Toni Clark, SPMT 2024
My Culminating Experience was the best opportunity for me to grow as an individual and prepare myself for after my time at Texas A&M. I met so many new people not just from Seoul, but also from countries such as China, Australia, and Japan. Being able to say I have international friends gives me a unique trait. I came to Seoul not knowing anyone, being lost in a new environment, and adjusting to learning the Korean language and culture. In a positive outcome, I am now halfway through the year fo my study abroad trip, and I plan to return to Seoul for graduate school after graduating from Texas A&M.
Words of Wisdom
- No matter what Culminating Experience you are assigned, all of them are great opportunities to grow as an individual.
- Stepping out of your comfort zone will not be an easy adjustment when you have to present yourself in the working field, but with time, the experiences you will gain will make adult life seem much easier and make you more prepared!
Grant Glasson, SPMT 2023
Working on this project for Athletes in Action sports facilities has been a privilege. Through my collaboration with AIA, I have identified areas for improvement and provided recommendations that will enhance the overall experience for your athletes, visitors, and staff. Working on this project has further enhanced my knowledge of my career path in working in sport facility management. I have been blessed to work with such an awesome group of people.
Words of Wisdom
- This project has taught me to always approach any job or opportunity with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Listen to the needs and goals of the people I am working with and work collaboratively to develop solutions that meet those needs.
- Secondly, communication is key. I have learned that communication is very important with the organization and team members to ensure everyone is on the same page and that progress is being made toward the end goal.
- Lastly, this project has taught me not to be afraid to think outside the box and offer innovative solutions. A fresh perspective and unique ideas can often lead to groundbreaking solutions that can significantly impact an organization.
Nathaniel Evans, SMPT 2024
For my experience, I started off working with David Kensinger learning about marketing at Athletes in Action's sports complex and retreat center. After a few weeks of doing this, I was moved to help Matt Dunn market the Keys to Life breakfast at the Final Four in Houston. For this event, I did a lot of grassroots marketing by creating databases and sending emails to universities, media outlets, and churches. I was also given the great opportunity of going to the event in person, where I helped with operations. This experience was a once in a lifetime opportunity where I was able to grow and learn with real hands-on work.
Words of Wisdom
- Be flexible always.
- Take the experience one day at a time.
- Ask lots of questions.
Carter Norwat, SPMT 2024
I went to the Alamo Bowl and worked under Mr. Rick Hill. During the Alamo Bowl, Rick had me research and work with the social media team. I shadowed him to learn what it's like for a Vice President during the week. After this, I researched the demographics of the bowl game and looked at things that happened years ago. I compared posts of the major bowl games (Top 8) on various social media platforms. Rick wanted me to look at what all the other competitors are doing the week leading up to the game to see what the Alamo Bowl can do to improve at various levels.
Words of Wisdom
- Don't be scared to do a Capstone Experience. Even though it's a lot of work, you'll enjoy it tremendously.
- There are feedback meetings and communication to know what you should be doing. Feel free to ask a lot of questions.
Sammy Ward & Austin Hebert, SPMT 2023
Sammy Ward and Austin Hebert partnered to create a business called Aggieland Athletic Rentals. This business supplies rentable athletic products to youth athletes in the Bryan-College Station area. To begin, they are targeting four little league baseball organizations (College Station, Bryan National, Bryan United, and Bryan Harvey) and one softball little league (Brazos Valley Girls Softball Association) to provide baseball and softball bats for the players in the league. They are targeting this sport in particular because baseball and softball bats are products necessary for the sport and are also products that players often grow out of often. With this in mind, the company lowers the cost barriers commonly associated with joining sport organizations by offering a cheaper alternative to entirely purchasing bats in the form of rentable equipment.
Words of Wisdom
- Who you know is more valuable than what you know.
- Take advantage of Sport Management Society and other volunteer/career opportunities to improve your resume and experiences.
- SPMT curriculum is designed to prepare you for your culminating experience, so use the courses that lead up to it to prepare for that final semester.
Sammy Smith, SPMT 2022
For my internship, I was fortunate to work with Texas A&M Women's Basketball. I was in an operations-related role, so I was involved in many activities and events within the program. My "big project" was implementing new community service opportunities for the team. Other responsibilities of mine included helping with preparation for the Welcome Back Party (an event before the season for donors, season ticket holders, staff, and the team), assisting with practices and games (including travel), performing administrative tasks, and many other activities. I gained a variety of experiences and formed meaningful professional connections during this internship.
Words of Wisdom
- Ask stupid questions instead of doing stupid things, and then trust yourself to make good decisions moving forward.
- Observe the other people working in the organization – how they behave, how they go about their business, and how they treat others.
Kyle Bays, SPMT 2022
My project involved researching and compiling all the necessary statistics for the student-worker program. The research collected was critical in making major decisions for the program regarding hiring and general future planning. The information was collected and made easily understandable in a full 32-page report. This project served as a reference for the current state of the program.
Words of Wisdom
- Approach every task with your full attention and effort. This internship is an opportunity to prove yourself and should be treated as such.
- Come into work daily with an attitude that people respect and want to be around. It makes the job more enjoyable.
- Feel free to showcase your skills. At the end of the day, you are the most valuable to the organization when they can understand how to utilize you fully.
Malazzia Jimenez, SPMT 2022
The Facility and Operations internship was a great experience. As you go through the internship, you will learn more about preparing for athletic events at Texas A&M. Through this internship; you will learn to become a better leader, adapt to a constantly changing environment, and learn to work effectively in team settings. Some of the tasks you will complete in this internship are court preparations for men's and women's basketball, ensuring the cleanliness of those courts, setting hospitality for these sporting events, and much more. You will also learn what it means to upkeep each facility in different ways. All facilities require you to learn new skills to help with that. I assisted with replacing lighting at Reed Arena, reinforcing the windscreens at Ellis Field, and making modifications to basketball hoops so they would properly fit in the practice gyms. A great work environment will also surround you. The culture there is excellent and will keep you motivated when you may be doing something less enjoya ble.
Words of Wisdom
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ASK QUESTIONS! You don't need to know everything when you start, but you build your knowledge of the job by asking questions that will help you in the future.
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Failure is okay, everyone makes mistakes, and it may feel like the end of the world, but no one will remember. What they will remember is the way you reacted to the situation.
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Always have a positive mindset! Keeping a positive mindset will help you find more joy in your work
Chasey Brim, SPMT 2022
Special Olympics Texas served as an excellent organization to intern with because of the opportunity to experience work from all areas. I was given a chance to work with staff from all departments and implement new ideas to create change on a greater scale. I was given a great deal of responsibility from the moment I took on this role. With most internships, the work is repetitive and mundane. However, that was different with Special Olympics Texas. I was trusted with many tasks that continued to change and grow throughout the semester. I was trusted and encouraged to take on any projects that excited me. I learned more than I had ever thought possible in four months. I truly couldn't imagine a better internship experience!
Words of Wisdom
- Take every opportunity, and don't be afraid to reach out!
- Take every opportunity to take on new responsibilities and expose yourself to every department. In order to have the greatest understanding of the organization's history, mission, goals, and staff, it's crucial to get involved in all areas of SOTX.
- Take the time to get to know all staff, coaches, and volunteers; you never know where you may meet more connections. Build your network!
Find projects that excite you and run with them! Special Olympics Texas is always interested in growing its reach and implementing new, creative ideas. Don't be afraid to speak your mind and propose new ideas.
GET TO KNOW THE ATHLETES! Attend events and meet the athletes. Hear their stories and keep in touch with the teams throughout the semester. Working at SOTX is a lot of hard work , but having a deep connection with the athletes makes every hour worth it. It's important to remember your main purpose for serving Special Olympics Texas and the impact that your work can have on the athletes' lives.
Ryan Connors, SPMT 2023
I started personal training when I was a senior in high school at a local gym. This idea started when I got a herniated disk from high school football, and it all started in the weight room. I realized how overlooked this aspect of high school sports was and how under-educated most coaches are regarding proper weightlifting form and safety. There are no requirements for coaches to be educated before entering a weight room. Many high schools will hire strength and conditioning coaches for this reason, but there is a problem with this. Many times, when athletes are in the weight room, those strength and conditioning coaches have other classes to teach, so they aren't always able to be present during the lifts. With this course, I plan on empowering all coaches to have a baseline of knowledge on this aspect so the liability is mitigated and fewer athletes are injured.
The current course I have right now covers basic lifting safety and movements (squat, bench, deadlift, power clean, etc.) This course can be used for all coaches and athletes, no matter the sport. The entrepreneurial track for my capstone allowed me to learn how to build a business plan for my business, Advance Athletics, and how to execute it. I plan on eventually getting more specified with making courses for each sport, but as of now, this course will bring a good baseline level of knowledge to these coaches. I have partnered with a corporation that provides online training services to coaches for continuing education, and I will continue developing content for them.
Words of Wisdom
- Focus on finding something that ignites your passion.
- If you love what you do, you won't view it as work.
- Don't be afraid to take risks; success favors the bold!