Article by Lorenzo Serrato, Sports Intern

Photo courtesy of Todd Trapani via Unsplash

For those with aspirations to start a career in the sports industry, acquiring an internship or part-time job can be a difficult task. The industry itself is tough to break into, with well educated applicants applying for the same positions. Luckily, West Michigan has a variety of professional teams that can help land the dream job you’ve always wanted and strived for.

Career paths in the sports industry are endless, with positions ranging from marketing to sales and operations. With minor league affiliates based locally in Grand Rapids, there are countless opportunities that can add practical experience on a well formatted resume.

The city of Grand Rapids is well recognized for having minor league affiliates for several of Detroit’s professional sports franchises. These include the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins, Minor League Baseball’s West Michigan Whitecaps and the Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA G League. These organizations have established themselves as the best in the sports business while offering a variety of job and internship opportunities for students across West Michigan.

According to Interim Career Coach Joe Fox, from the AQ Advantage Center, “Aquinas College is located in a great physical location if you are interested in pursuing a career in the professional side of athletics.”

Fox went on to state that “There are multiple professional sports organizations within driving distance. Whether it be related to business, sports management, or marketing, there are sports organizations within our geographic bubble that are seeking interns and part-time workers every season. While these are typically smaller operations with limited full-time opportunities, these experiences can provide you with the skills necessary to make you marketable during your job search process.”