This summer, students from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics discovered new avenues for professional preparation and practical hands-on experience. Lerner College students pursued an array of internships, externships and other professional development opportunities. From MBA scholars to undergraduates entering their second year at UD, students across a spectrum of Lerner programs shared their experiences accomplishing an assortment of projects.
Our “My Summer Internship” series highlights these unique experiences, showcasing how students translated classroom knowledge into real-world success.
Jenna Mayer, Class of 2026 sport management and marketing honors dual-major, spent her summer as a sports properties intern with Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.
Lerner: How did you find out about this internship? Why did you pursue it?
Mayer: I found out about this internship through LinkedIn. I applied for summer 2024 and did not get it, so I was determined to apply again for summer 2025. I was thrilled when I got the job offer. MSG is such an iconic company and I knew how great of an opportunity it would be.
Lerner: What was the most exciting task or project that you completed?
Mayer: The most exciting task or project I completed was attending fight week events for the Taylor v. Serrano fight. This fight broke history as it was the first all female card headlining at MSG. I got to attend the press release day at the Empire State Building, I worked the press conference, and I even attended the weigh-in.
Lerner: What did you learn from the internship that you think you wouldn’t have learned elsewhere?
Mayer: Something I learned from the internship that I wouldn’t have learned elsewhere is the ability to properly network. MSG really pushes you to network with as many people as possible across a variety of different departments. Although this is a soft skill that can potentially be acquired elsewhere, the way MSG does it is super helpful and they really do help you be your best professional self. I feel so much more confident in my abilities networking with people as I progress in my professional career.
Lerner: What is an example of a time where you were able to apply what you’ve learned at Lerner to your role?
Mayer: A lot of what I had to do was on Excel so I definitely was able to apply a lot of the things I learned from MISY261 and MISY262. I used to be really bad at excel until I took these classes, so Lerner was definitely a big help for this reason.
Lerner: Did you face any challenges during your internship? If so, what was the issue and how did you overcome it?
Mayer: The biggest challenge I faced at first was confidence and speaking up. I was a little fish in a huge pond when I first started, and I definitely only spoke when spoken to. Over time, after meeting new people and getting more comfortable, I really was able to find my voice and my purpose there, which really helped me grow significantly!
Lerner: What are your career plans, and how do you think the internship will push you closer to your professional goals?
Mayer: I have very ambitious career plans. Right now, I’m working on my applications for law school. I’ve really wanted to be a sports agent for the longest time and was very closed-minded to anything else. After this internship, I think I opened my eyes a little more. After networking with people in the legal department, I can definitely see myself working for the legal department for the Knicks, Rangers, or the general MSG company! I think this internship really helped me gain more knowledge on the industry and find who I am and who I can be in the future!