During the summer of 2023, I served as a Event Experience Training Camp Intern for the Houston Texans. Within this role I collaborated with the Event Experience department for the Texans, along with 9 other interns, as we sought to accomplish every goal that was set in stone for training camp. During this time, I had the pleasure of staying in Houston for a month and gained a plethora of knowledge in a different field, that I was not originally accustomed to. Some of the intern tasks were to gather items that were stocked in the inventory and place them at specific destinations throughout the stadium. Items we often utilized were field boards for the practice field, backdrops, signage that was displayed all around the practice field and stadium, tents, roster cards, credentials for guest, and more. This experience showed me the true qualities of what the sports industry is like, as we would come in to work as early as 4-5 am to set up for the training camps and often would not leave until later in the day.

One of my favorite parts of this internship was the day of the training camps. This is when all of us interns and staff got to see our work come to fruition. After placing signs up for hours, to setting up water stations, areas for guests to receive player cards, putting field boards up, and more, it was truly an honor being able to say that I was part of making that happen. I also enjoyed the ending of training camps because I got the opportunity to pass out sharpies and towels to the players. I passed them out to players such as Derek Stingley Jr., John Metchie IIIm Brandon Hill, Hassan Ridgeway, Xavier Hutchinson, and more. Another thing us interns did was hang up signs along the player walkway area, that way it would have a pleasing look when players walk to practice/training camp and was always a great content grab for those in charge of media.

During the training camps we were given different tasks each time. Some of those responsibilities consisted of managing the private party area, as well as family and friends tent. When doing this we would assist the guests when needed and made sure that supplies were stocked at all times. Another spot I worked was the credentials area, in which I was in charge of passing out credentials to those that were part of the private party. We would hand them a pass and from there, the guests had full access to the designated area. I also had to watch a private party blocked off location for fans to get autographs from the players. The point of this role was to ensure that those who were private party, had the ability to utilize the area and to look out for those who may not have had that pass. There were a number of different tasks that were given over the course of the month, but I can truly say that I have gained necessary experience that has suited and prepared me for what is to come in the sports industry. For this I thank the Houston Texans and all the staff members that poured into me and worked with me to achieve any goals that we had during the summer.