Internships – Fall 2013 Houston Astros Baseball Clup – Houston, TX

Internships: Any Internship

Internships – Fall 2013 – Houston Astros Baseball Clup (Houston, TX)

**Read the information below COMPLETELY . Failure to follow the instructions will affect your candidacy.

PLEASE NOTE:

• Due to the size of the candidate pool, we are not able to schedule initial phone screens in advance. If our HR department contacts you for an initial interview at an inopportune time, we are happy to allow you to call us back. Please attempt to prepare yourself of an impromptu phone interview.
• If selected for an interview, you will be asked to come to Minute Maid Park in person. You will be responsible for any travel arrangements you choose to make for interview purposes.
• The Astros offer scholarships to eligible students. The Houston Astros Internship Scholarship Program has been established to increase opportunities for undergraduate students of limited financial means to be able to complete full time internships with the club.
• These are full time, unpaid internship opportunities, which require interns to work a 32 to 40 hour work week. In addition, it is mandatory that the candidate receive college credit for their participation in the internship program.
• Specific duties and responsibilities will vary based upon the department but this is a “hands on” internship opportunity.
• If there is a requirement such as language fluency or computer program knowledge, you MUST meet that requirement before selecting that as a department of interest.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Energetic and enthusiastic. • Outgoing, positive attitude and personality. • Must be a “team player.” • Interested in more than just working in a high profile environment. • Ability to multi-task and work in a fast paced environment. • Willing to offer ideas and suggestions. • Punctual and professional.

ESTIMATED SCHEDULE:
**Subject to change

• August 14th- First day of Fall Internship Class
• December 13th- Last day of Fall Internship Class

AND THE DEPARTMENTS ARE:
***Ballpark Entertainment/Productions*** The Ballpark Entertainment intern will participate in recording, tape logging and dubbing highlight clips from Astros games. The selected individual will be supporting both the community development and conference center departments through its various events and player appearances. This intern will be exposed to operating video cameras, editing, and other production responsibilities. Other duties include creating graphics such as headshots. The internship is more suited for an individual who possesses experience in computer based programs, such as Avid, Final Cut Pro, After Effects, and Photoshop. The intern candidate should want to pursue a career in sports production. The intern candidate must be able to work all games (which may include day, night, weekend and holiday games). This intern will assume additional roles on an as-needed basis. A media production major is recommended for this internship.

***Community Relations/Foundation Development*** The Community Relations/Foundation Development Intern will be strongly involved with the Astros community affairs and the Astros Foundation. This intern is responsible for promoting a good charitable name for the Astros Foundation and on some occasions will serve as the face of the organization when working with fans and charity groups. The selected individual will engage in opportunities such as processing donation requests, responding to and fulfilling approved requests and tracking the team’s donations in a timely manner. This intern will be heavily involved in the administration of the team’s various complimentary ticket programs including the charity ticket, summer reading, honor roll, and perfect attendance programs. In this position, the selected candidate will be responsible for setting up and coordinating the team’s kids club – the Coca-Cola Astros Buddies – and will also assist in scheduling and coordinating first pitch opportunities, community events, player appearances, and other activities that may take place during the designated semester. This individual will also assist the Foundation department with planning and implementing all fundraising events and programs benefiting the Astros Foundation. The individual chosen for this position will assume additional roles on an as-needed basis. Applicants must be proficient in Excel, Word, Access and Outlook and be able to work all games (which may include day, night, weekend and holiday games).

*** Corporate Partnerships *** The Corporate Partnerships intern will gain experience with the execution and fulfillment of current sponsors’ contracts. Pre-game and in-game activation elements require that he or she be available for Astros home games during the semester to fully experience and learn from this opportunity. Other opportunities in this department include creating proposals for potential clients, proof of performance reports for current clients, scheduling and tracking deliverables for current clients, conducting market and demographics research and other tasks as necessary. Proficiency in basic Microsoft Office programs is required (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and a working knowledge of Access is preferred. Professionalism in-person, as well as via email and via phone is essential in this internship due to the interaction an intern will have with clients and professionals outside of the organization. Recommended majors for this internship are Marketing, Business, Communications and Public Relations.

*** Decision Sciences *** In the Decision Sciences internship, you will apply the knowledge you already have to learn more about how to develop database-driven applications and reports, using tools such as Visual Studio, SQL Server, and web technologies. This intern will assist the staff by performing occasional reporting, data mining, or other tasks that require advanced technical capability. You will also get experience in how to develop and maintain documentation supporting the maintenance of technical systems. To be successful we are looking for candidates pursuing a degree in computer science that have an elementary foundation in SQL. Some knowledge of any of c#, SSRS, SSIS, javascript, or ASP.NET is a plus. A successful candidate will also have advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel and excellent written, verbal, listening, and presentation skills. The best candidates will gain the most out of this internship by having the ability to multi-task and manage assignments in a fast-paced work environment. To be considered, you must possess high degree of discretion, integrity, professionalism, accountability, and a passion for baseball.

*** Facility Management *** The Facility Management intern will be exposed to an array of tasks which include hands-on engineering duties as well as office and clerical work. The selected individual will place orders with contractors, meet the contractors on the job site to show the problem, and process all paperwork relating to the problem. This intern will assist the engineering crew while they fix motors, reassemble gears, check piping and take apart and put together all types of machinery. This intern should have a firm grasp on engineering techniques and be proficient in Excel. The selected individual will gain experience in customer service scenarios and deal with clients on a daily basis. The selected individual will need to handle and satisfy all customer needs within the conference center in a professional manner. The intern will be exposed to technical engineering tasks such hooking up all Audio/Visual equipment for the clients (which may include laptops, projectors, mixing boards, etc.) and will be responsible for running through a tutorial to show the clients how to use each piece of equipment. Another major responsibility of this intern is being familiar with the set up for press conferences. Recommended majors include engineering, sports management and A/V and proficiency in Excel and Word is required. Knowledge of AutoCad is a plus. Gameday duties will apply to this internship in the area of Security administration. This intern will assume additional roles on an as-needed basis.

***Finance/Accounting*** This intern will work directly with the Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable departments on a daily basis. Duties include learning how to process deposits, ticket accounts, and vouchers and filing them in the appropriate location in a timely manner. This intern will also file all credit card receipts from all ticket orders, conference center events, birthdays, etc. in date order and must be extremely organized. This intern will also be creating and maintaining binders for all monthly finances and reconcile bank invoices. The intern will assume additional roles on an as needed basis, and must be proficient in Excel and knowledge of People Soft is a plus. Must be an accounting or finance major and have a strong attention to detail.

*** Graphics *** The Graphics intern will work closely with Marketing and other departments to create a wide range of print graphics including but not limited to: ballpark signage, promotional items, brochures, posters, flyers, postcards, and invitations. In addition they will expand their knowledge in creating print ads and interact with various print publications uploading to their FTP sites and performing other functions on an as need basis. Candidates need to have working knowledge of Adobe Indesign, Illustrator and Photoshop on a MAC operating system. With that knowledge the intern will learn to handle multiple projects under flexible and extreme deadlines while building their portfolio. Strong understanding of the printing process and web design is a plus. ALL applicants MUST include a link or web address to any of the following on their resume:

1. Portfolio website

2. Online photo gallery of work

3. Multipage PDF

NOTES: Descriptive captions must be included with each example of work.

*** Groundskeeping *** This intern will be have the opportunity to learn and assist with the maintenance of the field and ballpark grounds ensuring the field is game and camera-ready. This may include stripping the infield, keeping the dirt moist, learning fertilizer calculations, patching infield holes, leveling home plate, trimming trees outside the ballpark, picking up trash, edging the infield, and many other related duties on an as-needed basis. This intern will also assist with the maintenance of all equipment as well as help set up pre-game activities such as batting practice. The intern will assume additional roles on an as-needed basis. The selected intern should have familiarization with mowers, blowers, and tractors, and must be a hard-worker and team player. Please note-this intern will work on the field at all times.

*** Guest Services *** The Guest Services intern will have the opportunity to see firsthand how a successful Guest Services department within a large, complex, and diverse organization such as the Houston Astros functions. This intern plays an integral role in ballpark operations on game days and helps us oversee our staff of approximately 250 ushers, ticket takers, and ballpark supervisors. The selected individual will help us manage various aspects such as lost and found and guest relations. You may help by maintaining a log or you may respond to messages and inquiries left by guests. Other tasks may include responding to fan feedback emails, updating staff personnel files, or generating staffing sheets. The Guest Services intern will learn how to effectively staff for conference center needs, such as tours, parties and other events. The Guest Services intern will have many opportunities to regularly network with a variety of departments within the organization as well as external business partners. Candidates should have strong interpersonal and communication skills, demonstrate initiative, and the interest and ability to work extended hours and weekends depending on the Astros game schedule or our events schedule. All candidates for this internship must be proficient in all Microsoft Office programs, including Excel.

*** Human Resources *** The Human Resources intern will be exposed to ALL aspects of human resources. Most importantly, the intern will develop their recruiting skills by supporting our recruiting efforts for our internship program and other part time staff positions. The Human Resource intern will have numerous opportunities to learn about a fully functioning Human Resources department, as well as an up-close look into how a successful HR department functions. This intern will be exposed to administrative duties which include filing, faxing, processing paperwork, making phone calls, prepping letters, organizing and creating personnel files and other necessary administrative functions. Other duties include helping create staffing reports and other ad hoc reports with a strong emphasis using Excel. The selected individual will assist with stadium access credentials and may assist with other confidential projects. Desired major for this intern is Human Resources, but not required. The selected individual must be professional and able to handle a large amount of confidential information. This individual must feel comfortable asking questions, interviewing, and passing along information in a professional and confidential manner.

*** Information Technology *** An Information Technology intern will gain experience in a corporate IT environment and will gain knowledge in the design, development, and implementation of database and intranet related projects. Our intern will work closely with IT staff to resolve basic trouble tickets and service requests. The documentation of IT policies, procedures and systems will also be introduced. Candidates must be currently enrolled at an accredited college or university pursuing a CS, EE or MIS degree. Experience with or expertise in any of the following is a HUGE plus: Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Visual Studio, VB.NET or C#.NET and .Net Framework 2.0, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, .NET, AJAX and Web 2.0.

*** Market Development *** The Market Development intern will learn from the insides, all facets of the Astros international media and marketing efforts which include print publications, radio and TV broadcast spots, and the administration and operation of the Astros Spanish website. The Market Development intern will learn by acting as a liaison with clients, fans and sponsors via email and phone and may also present during meetings. The intern will help support our marketing and outreach efforts in various ways, including keeping up-to-date our media files so we can track Astros international media coverage. This intern will gain experience in developing programs to increase traffic to the Spanish website, and the editing and publishing of articles for the team’s Spanish publication “Cronicas de los Astros” with the supervision of the Spanish radio broadcasting team. Other opportunities include translating game recaps in Spanish for dissemination among the Astros extensive international media database, interviewing players in Spanish, as well as translating press releases into Spanish. Other activities may include organizing bi-lingual baseball clinics and other Spanish community initiatives by logistically planning and coordinating the events with the players. The intern MUST BE fluent in both Spanish and English (writing, speaking, and translating). Copywriting knowledge is a plus. Majors for this intern may include Marketing, Sports Management and Spanish.

*** Marketing Analytics *** The Houston Astros’ Marketing Analytics intern will have the incredible opportunity of witnessing and learning in a very hands-on manner the functions of a marketing analytics team within an MLB team. This intern will learn how to coordinate market research efforts, collect data, perform data analysis, and develop summaries of the results. The selected individual for this position will have the opportunity to get their fingers into numerous areas of marketing analytics such as surveys and focus groups, compiling survey responses for data analysis, summaries of findings, note taking for focus groups, and online research. The ideal candidate for this internship position should be detailed oriented and inquisitive. Applicants should also be highly analytical, have a quantitative academic background, and have the interest and ability to work with people from multiple departments while representing the Marketing Analytics Team. Due to the nature of the industry and the department, candidates must be able to work in an energetic environment, multitask, work independently, use Excel and PowerPoint, as well as have a willingness to learn and a passion for baseball. Applicants for the Marketing Analytics internship should be majoring in Business, Economics, Marketing, Engineering, or a related field with record of strong academic achievement.

*** Marketing *** The Marketing intern will gain valuable experience in all aspects of sports marketing. This intern will handle a wide range of tasks, from being a point of contact for scoreboard message requests which come in via the website to helping us coordinate and research special events which may require contacting outside vendors and/or conducting research with other teams. He/she will gain knowledge in the execution of theme nights, special events, and promotions. The Marketing intern will learn to draft radio promotions for game-day broadcast as well as reporting a recap of all media exposure for sponsors. This intern will also gain exposure to pre-game activities such as the National Anthem, First Pitch, and other aspects of in game entertainment. The intern will partner with staff and other interns to help schedule our street team at events throughout the city. In this high profile internship, the intern must be professional at all times, be available for games and events, have excellent written and oral communication skills, and be proficient in Excel and Word. Copywriting experience is a plus.

*** Media Relations *** The Media Relations intern will learn how to work with the media; both for internal and external purposes. The selected individual develop media and PR skills from sorting through newspaper sites, packaging pertinent clips, handling distribution throughout the office or to media personnel to learning how to run minor league reports, recapping games from the previous day, to assembling stats for media and internal use. The Media Relations intern helps us set up the press box for media personnel prior to the games, as well as handling media credentials and assignments. This intern will polish and hone their writing skills by writing and editing for team publications which include the club’s media guide and monthly magazine. This intern must be proficient in Word, Excel, and Adobe InDesign as well as be available to work games. Recommended majors – all aspects of Communications, particularly journalism, public relations, and marketing.

*** Risk Management *** The Risk Management intern will learn what goes into keeping a ballpark safe and running smoothly. Our intern will gain experience in litigation research in preparation for responses to interrogatories, how to maintain certificate of insurance system, and learn how to review medical correspondence and billings from a risk assessment and management standpoint. Other projects include building walk-through inspections and worker comp Q & A with TPA regarding research information. The selected individual will help us generate certificate of insurance letters to vendors, contractors and subcontractors regarding renewal certificates and assist with Security and Risk Management project by administering the database/incident/statistical reporting. The Risk Management intern will be involved in basic administrative tasks such as filing, preparing monthly in-house vendor First Aid reporting, data entry, monthly statistical reports, and update/maintain in-house medical worker comp reports. Candidates majoring in Finance, Business, Legal and Risk Management would be best qualified for this internship.

*** Special Events (Operations) *** The Special Events Operations intern will learn from the Special Events Department to handle all non-baseball game meetings and related events held at Minute Maid Park. Our events business includes corporate and social clients looking for support for their business meetings, galas, trade shows, and other events, including batting practice and softball games, holiday parties, corporate events, wedding receptions, and Bar Mitzvahs. The internship requires a motivated, responsible, self-starter who enjoys a fast-paced and team-oriented environment. This intern will have the opportunity to be an integral part of the Special Events Operations team assisting in the coordination, execution, and evaluation of all aspects of all Minute Maid Park Special Events. The Special Events Operations intern will have the opportunity to be a liaison between the Special Event Operations team and many other departments within the Astros organization. They will also communicate and work directly with some of our corporate and social clients. Ideal intern candidates will be majoring in Hospitality, Marketing or Communications and will possess the confidence, maturity and poise to explore work in the diverse world of Special Events. This internship may require working additional hours during the week and some weekends with prior notification.

*** Ticket Sales and Service *** By interning with our Ticket Sales and Service team, as an intern you will leave with experience in sales, service and operations. This intern will learn about sales strategy and how to sell Astros season, group, individual, and suite tickets throughout the duration of their internship. For an individual attracted to a career in sales, this is the ideal internship opportunity to further explore and grow their career. The selected individual will learn about box office operations and will perfect your face to face customer service skills by learning how to assist walk up customers and will call operations. This intern will learn about all aspects of our operations, including something as simple as printing tickets to setting up accounts, working with our youth ticket programs and other special ticket packages. The selected candidate will have the exciting opportunity of running a particular group night of their choice which will consist of creating the event from concept to execution – create the theme, identify the target organization(s), contact and coordinate, set up and process their requests, and follow up to ensure they have an exceptional experience with you as their host. In the off season, this intern will focus on assisting the sales staff and taking an active role with the season ticket sales process. During the off-season this intern will complete various sales and financial related reports. The Ticket Sales and Service intern position provides the selected candidate with the opportunity to observe and personally contribute to the daily operations of a Ticket Sales and Services department within a large organization and will be exposed to invaluable sales experience.

An individual majoring in Sales and Marketing, Communications or anyone enrolled in a program with a sales focus would be excellent for this internship. If you interested in exploring an internship which could lead to a career choice, combined with your confidence in yourself, your ambitious nature, your drive and self-motivation and you are most comfortable with the prospect of customer contact and being given the opportunity to represent the Astros organization in a professional setting, this is the internship for you. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office and have excellent verbal communication skills.

*** Tours *** The individual selected for the Tours internship will be exposed to all aspects related to operations of our Tours Department. This individual should be ready to interact with both small and large groups who come to Minute Maid Park from all over the city, country, and even the world. This intern will have opportunities to learn the business of tours and events in its entirety. This includes sales, booking, and coordinating of tour events, as well as the execution of events. The Tour Intern will be able to contribute and impact our tours by creating, developing and consistently editing a basic tour-script that will include information about Union Station, Minute Maid Park, and the Houston Astros organization. This position is also an opportunity to create long time Astros fans while guiding tour groups through the facility. Each day will bring new opportunities to learn about the functions of the Conference Center and Events department and of the Astros organization as a whole. The Tour intern will learn how to develop a sales plan, how to maintain communication with prospective customers, how to coordinate invoices and payments within a business spreadsheet program and generate ideas to make our tour experience better for our guests. Prospective intern candidates majoring in hospitality, sales and marketing or public relations will enjoy this internship, especially if you have a positive, upbeat and fun disposition. Candidates should have a good working knowledge of business-related software (MS Word and Excel), experience and comfort with public speaking and working with children is a huge plus. Given the event nature of the department, flexibility to include some weekends will be helpful as a part of the internship experience. A high degree of professionalism is required at times and knowledge of Excel is strongly preferred.
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