Each summer, students from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics gain important real-world professional skills through internships. In each installment of this series, you’ll hear firsthand about how one Lerner student secured their internship, what their experience as an intern was like and what comes next!
Gregory O’Brien, Class of 2020, double major in sport management and marketing, has spent his summer as a sports marketing and sponsorships intern at KPMG in Montvale, New Jersey and Chaska, Minnesota.
Q: How did you find out about this internship?
O’Brien: Krissy Smith, an alum of UD’s sport management program is currently working as associate on our team, and told Dr. Tim DeSchriver about the internship. I networked with the employee and ended up receiving an offer.
Q: What is the most exciting task that you have undertaken in your role?
O’Brien: The most exciting task that I have been a part of during my time at KPMG has been the KPMG Women’s Professional Golfers’ Association (WPGA) Championship. Being the title sponsor of a major golf tournament is a massive amount of work and responsibility, and knowing I was a part of making it all happen was extremely rewarding. In addition, being able to work on a world-class golf course (Hazeltine National in Chaska, MN) was an amazing experience.
Q: What did you learn through this internship that you don’t think you would have learned anywhere else?
O’Brien: One thing this internship has taught me is that you never know the hours or days you are going to work, but you need to give 110% always. Working in golf, you are put into positions where you work long hours and weekends, and it forces you to rise up to the occasion and give it all you’ve got, no matter if its a long day or long week.
Q: What is an example of a time you were able to apply something you learned at the Lerner College to your role?
O’Brien: Taking Sport Marketing with Dr. DeSchriver really prepared me for what I am doing now. We had a corporate partnerships project in the class, which turned out to be exactly what I am currently doing. Looking back on it now, it was such a valuable experience to have learned about corporate partnerships and sponsorships before starting this position.
Q: What has been the most fun part of your internship?
O’Brien: The most fun part of my internship was traveling and working at Hazeltine. It is not an everyday experience being able to work on a golf course and help facilitate a major golf championship. I loved being able to see the work that not only myself, but my team did pay off.
Q: How do you think this internship will help you with your professional goals?
O’Brien: This internship has helped me realize that marketing in sports is something I really have a passion for. I love being able to do something I love and be able to call it my job.
Q: What are your plans or next steps once this internship is over?
O’Brien: I am looking forward to my final year at UD and what the future holds for me. I do not know exactly what I will be doing/working as after I graduate, but I am looking forward to securing a full-time offer wherever it may be.