Written by Chandler Flowers, Communication Services junior associate.
Behind the scenes of every Dallas ISD sports game is a world of scheduling, budgeting, and management.
This summer, through Dallas ISD’s internship program, rising seniors and recent graduates are given the opportunity to work in the Department of Athletics to explore what goes on behind the scenes of sporting events – while gaining hands-on experience.
“Dallas ISD’s Workforce Development and Employer Relations Department reached out to our superintendent, Vincente Reyes to ask about hosting interns over the summer,” said M.T. Tyeskie, assistant director of the Athletics Department. “We conducted the interviews in April at Southern Methodist University and here we are today.”
For six weeks, the interns are exposed to multiple sides of athletics, such as compliance, transportation, and sports medicine. Their experience culminates with a PowerPoint presentation that will showcase every valuable lesson they learned during the summer and what they are going to take from the job.
“When you are in high school, you are still trying to find yourself, and these internships can aid our students in figuring out life after high school,” Tyeskie said. “The students may never touch athletics again, but we hope that through our program, we give them valuable tools, such as time management, commitment, and discipline, to use in the real world.”
There are eight interns working in the program this summer. A day in the athletics department varies depending on the subject the interns are learning each week.
“Right now, we are working on managing bus schedules,” said Lance C., rising senior at Justin F. Kimball High School. “Last week, we were learning about compliance and what comes with it.”
Lance is excited to learn about eligibility for high school students to be student-athletes, and is interested in a future career in the sports world.
“One of my teachers recommended this program to me. Since I play basketball, I just wanted to see how it all works,” he said.
For students considering doing an internship, his advice is to just give it a try.
“You’ll never know how much you’ll enjoy it until you give it a shot. I am enjoying my time as an intern here,” he said.
