Jessica Pavone, a Public Relations major and Business Administration minor, interned for School of Business Interim Dean Mojtaba Seyedian this academic year and completed the following Q&A with Assistant Professor Jason Becker about his experience with six Sport Management students who traveled to volunteer at the 2018 Super Bowl in Minneapolis, Minn.
Q: What is it that you and your students did at the Super Bowl?
A: We were considered host committee volunteers during the five days we were there (Jan. 31 to Feb. 5). We took part in activities ranging from marketing, event planning, promotions and game-day operations.
Q: What do your students do and learn while there?
A: Most importantly, students get to experience real-world situations in the sport industry, especially during the biggest sporting event in this country, the Super Bowl. Students get to see how an event is put together, how it's marketed, etc.
Q: What kinds of students are selected to go? How many typically?
A: Usually we have anywhere from 15 to 20 that go, however this year (maybe due to the cold), we had only six. It ranges from seniors to freshmen; it doesn't matter. I'm expecting since it's in Atlanta next year, we'll have near 20.
Q: How many years have you been doing this? With Fredonia, specifically, as well?
A: This is my fourth time going as I've taken part in New Orleans, Santa Clara, Houston and Minneapolis. Each year it seems like it keeps getting better! It's great to see the students succeed and represent Fredonia, specifically the Sport Management program!
Q: How did you start this relationship with the Super Bowl?
A: We started the relationship back in 2012 with the host committee before being selected to volunteer in New Orleans during the Super Bowl. It's been a great time in those six years, especially seeing our students gain the real-world experiences within the sport industry.
Q: Has this opportunity ever resulted in internships or jobs for students of yours that have attended?
A: Yes, our students have been asked many times in the interview process about the Super Bowl experience and the specific tasks they engaged in. In talking with students that have participated in the Super Bowl experience, they say this experience has helped them stand out when applying and interviewing for sport industry jobs. Potential employers in the sport industry want to see experience and what better way to experience that than attending the Super Bowl and engaging in the different job professions such as marketing, promotions, event management, etc.
Q: What is your favorite part of the whole trip?
A: My favorite part every year is seeing the students gain real-world experience and knowledge at the biggest sporting event! Also, it's always great to see them succeed in the different positions they are assigned to as interns during the week. It's very rewarding when they can take the classroom topics we discuss and see them play out right in front of them!
Q: How would you advise interested students to participate in the future?
A: For those students looking to go next year and, in the future, we always start preparing the trip in early fall (around September) to fund raise for the trip. This is a wonderful educational experience that provides students with real-world industry experience and a chance to network with sport industry professionals. Students interested can contact me or any Sport Management professor.
