Ferris State University students gain valuable work experience through internships. Internships also can confirm or redirect career decision-making, provide marketability, develop people skills and enhance classroom learning. Many academic programs require one, but the experience is encouraged regardless to provide students with a better understanding of what will be expected of them in the workplace.
Many students are participating in myriad internships this summer. Meet:
Danny Collins
He is: a senior from Plymouth, returning for his last semester in the Sports Communication program. Danny has pursued a concentration in broadcasting and multimedia journalism and will also graduate with a minor in Integrated Marketing techniques.
His Internship: Danny is completing an internship with the sales and marketing arm of Fox Sports Detroit. “I have learned about producing sales support information that goes into our sales pitches and presentations that account executives make to clients. I have been able to provide our sales team media and data that is sent to some of the world’s most successful companies locally, around the state and at the national level. Throughout the course of my internship I have learned many key factors and practices involved in advertising and sales in the professional television field. I am learning that in the sports industry, there is no day that is like the day before. Live action sports is my passion and each day, I go into work with a smile on my face because I am doing what I love. I am learning that being flexible and having multiple skills can make you a very dependable employee, just as I feel that my skills have made me a reliable and exceptional intern this summer.”
Danny’s Advice to Other Students Regarding Internships: “Network, network, network, network. I can’t stress this enough to other college students. You never know who you will meet or who will help you achieve your goals. Go to career fairs, talk with your advisor and teachers, and develop an authentic relationship with them. By developing authentic relationships with teachers, faculty, employers, you can only help your cause to get a future internship or job. You never know when an opportunity will come to get a job or internship and you will thank yourself for meeting that person and developing that relationship with them, because they have the main contact for that job or can be a reference for you. I would also encourage students to get involved around campus. RSO’s, clubs, event planning, working on campus, et cetera, as these are great ways to build yourself personally and build your resume.“
Other Internships: Danny has served as a journalist covering high school basketball for Pubhole Sports,
in Sparta, completed two internships with the Ferris State Athletics Department, with
one focused on making contacts with sponsors and supporting various Bulldog sports
marketing initiatives, then writing copy for social media and player profiles in the
second. This summer, Collins has also held an internship in marketing and sales with
Brand It Printing and Graphics, where he has served as a sales representative and
a social media coordinator, beyond his Fox Sports activities.
Future Plans: “I am a senior student-athlete on the football team, at Ferris. Technically, I am
a fifth-year senior heading into my final semester, as a Bulldog, due to being redshirted
my freshman year. I am proud to be a team captain for my final season. I would love
to direct marketing and sales for a professional business or serve as an associate
athletic director for corporate relations and sales at the NCAA Division I level.
I am still undecided about graduate school, however I am aware of the importance of
it and know that it would give me an edge on many other applicants for future jobs.
I hope this internship can provide me with a basis for success and a wide variety
of contacts to put on my reference list after graduation.”
PHOTO CAPTION: Plymouth native Danny Collins, a senior majoring in Sports Communication,
is interning interned with the sales and marketing arm of Fox Sports Detroit.