Houston Astros Baseball Club – Houston, TX
INTERNSHIPS – SPRING 2014 – Houston Astros Baseball Club (Houston, TX)
PLEASE NOTE:
•The Houston Astros Internships are intended for individuals with a strong desire to gain real-world work experience, as well as a desire to work hard and give their best. Learning potential is endless in these positions and interns get out of the experience what they put into it.
•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. As with any job interview, an in-person interview is preferred. However we are sensitive to your geographical locations and understand that traveling a far distance may not be possible for certain individuals. Considerations will be made to accommodate those who cannot meet for a face-to-face interview.
• 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. The scholarships will be given to eligible students.
• The Houston Astros Internships are full time internship opportunities, which require interns to participate in a 32 to 40 hour work week. Interns are expected to work full time, regardless of the amount of credits that your school is awarding you.
• Specific duties and responsibilities will vary based upon the department but this is a “hands on” internship opportunity.
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.
Start Date: January 6th, 2014*
End Date: May 16th, 2014*
*Tenative
The internship positions available for Spring of 2014 are as follows:
*** Ballpark Entertainment/Production*** The Ballpark Entertainment intern will gain experience in recording, tape logging, and dubbing highlight clips from Astros games. The selected individual will also be involved in supporting both the Community Development and Conference Center departments through its various events and player appearances which will include operating video cameras, editing, and other production elements. The Ballpark Entertainment internship also has other opportunities which can consist of creating graphics, taking and preparing headshots, along with other opportunities to experience entertainment production. This internship is more suited for an individual who possesses experience in computer based programs, such as Avid, Final Cut Pro, After Effects, and Photoshop. Candidates for this internship should have a desire to pursue a career in production, preferably sports production. Candidates must be able to work Astros home games (which may include day, night, weekend, and holiday games). A media production major is recommended for this internship.
*** 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.
*** Community Affairs *** The Community Affairs intern will be exposed to and actively engaged in the Astros activities within the community. Activities will include Astros events, promotions and activities which help the club promote a good charitable name for the organization. On some occasions, the intern will be given opportunities to act as the face of the organization while engaging with fans and charity groups at these various events. The selected individual will gain experience in gathering, accounting for and processing donation and other community related requests, responding to and fulfilling approved requests and tracking the team’s donations in a timely manner. This intern will be exposed to 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 learn how to set up and coordinate the team’s kids club – the Coca-Cola Astros Buddies – and will also assist in executing special fan requests, batting practices, community events, player appearances, and other activities that may take place during the designated semester. The individual chosen for this position may receive additional exposure to various aspects of our programs on an as needed basis, which may also include working with our Astros in Action Foundation activities. Must be proficient in Excel, Word, and Outlook.
*** Facilities Management *** The Facilities Management intern will gain knowledge in an array of tasks which include hands-on engineering and stadium operations duties as well as office and clerical work. The selected individual will learn how to work with contractors – place orders, meet the contractors on the job site, and help us manage all aspects of the solution. This intern may assist the engineering crew while they perform various tasks around the ballpark – fix motors, reassemble gears, check piping, and take apart and put together all types of machinery. This intern should have an interest in engineering techniques and be proficient in Excel. The selected individual will hone their customer service skills on a daily basis and help us satisfy our client needs within the conference center in a professional manner. The intern will also learn to manage Audio/Visual equipment for the clients (which may include laptops, projectors, mixing boards, etc.) and help us with set ups for press conferences. Recommended majors include engineering, sports management, and A/V. Proficiency in Excel and Word is required. Knowledge of AutoCad is a plus.
***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.
***Foundation Development *** The Foundation Development intern will support our Astros in Action Foundation, which is responsible for supporting the efforts of non-profit organizations or programs related to literacy, education, scholarships, health, faith based organizations, and reviving baseball in the inner city. The selected individual will learn how to plan and implement fundraising events and programs benefiting the Astros in Action Foundation including the Leadoff Luncheon, the Race for Pennant 5K, annual golf tournaments, on-line auctions and the Grand Slam for Youth Baseball Program. The intern will help with scheduling and coordinating baseball/softball teams during the season for the Grand Slam for Youth Baseball concession stand. The intern chosen for this position will also help with coordinating first pitch opportunities and special pre-game events related to the Foundation and will assist the Astros Community Affairs department on an as needed basis. A successful intern will leave this internship with extensive experience and knowledge of promoting events, promoting a positive image for a company, and how events are planned and executed. The candidate must be proficient in Excel, Word and Outlook.
*** 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 *** The chosen Groundskeeping intern will learn the ins and outs of field operations, turf management and the overall maintenance of the field and ballpark grounds ensuring the surface is game and camera-ready. This may include stripping the infield, keeping the dirt moist, learning fertilizer calculations, patching infield holes, leveling home plate, edging the infield, and many other related duties. This intern will also assist with the maintenance of all equipment as well as help set up pre-game activities such as batting practice and other non-baseball needs. The selected intern should have interest in learning about or familiarization with field maintenance equipment such as mowers, blowers and tractors and must be a hard-working team player. This internship is ideal for Turf Management majors who dream of running their own field someday.
*** 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.
***Marketing*** This intern will serve as the main point of contact for all scoreboard messages that come in via the website. This particular intern will help coordinate and research special events which may require contacting outside vendors and/or researching other team’s events. This intern will primarily assist with theme nights, special events, and promotions. A major responsibility of this intern is to draft the radio promotions for game-day broadcasting as well as reporting a recap of all media exposure for sponsors. This intern will also assist with pre-game activities such as the National Anthem, First Pitch and others, and will also schedule the street team intern’s events throughout the city. The intern will assume additional roles on an as-needed basis. This intern must act as a professional at all times and be able to work all games (which may include day, night, weekend and holiday games). Must have both excellent written and oral communication skills and be proficient in Excel and Word, and must also be an excellent copywriter as he or she may need to develop copy.
*** 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.
***Retail*** This intern will get the opportunity to work with the Houston Astros Retail department in overseeing all game day and non-game day retail functions at Minute Maid Park. Responsibilities for this position include completing administrative tasks such as creating and continuing client relations, creating purchase orders, and assisting with cost control efforts for labor and cost of goods management through monthly inventory and daily constraints. This intern will participate in the inspection of the store and warehouse for readiness for daily events and will play a role in product development and inventory management. Candidates will be exposed to all of the areas of retail including the sales floor, customer shops, warehouse, kiosks, and the buying office. Candidates should have strong communication skills, demonstrate initiative and enthusiasm, and be available to work extended hours and weekends.
*** Special Events *** The Special Events intern will work with the Special Events/Conference Center Department to learn about the execution of all non-baseball events and meetings held at Minute Maid Park. Our events business wide-reaching and includes business meetings, galas, trade shows, corporate events such as batting practices and softball games, holiday parties, and personal events such as weddings, receptions, birthday parties and Bar Mitzvahs. This internship provides the opportunity for the selected candidate to learn through observation and doing how a Special Events department functions. The internship requires an inquisitive, responsible self-starter who enjoys a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. This person must be a strong communicator with above average computer skills. The intern will learn about all aspects of our event sales operations from administrative tasks such as contract generation, filing, answering sales inquiries, disseminating information, and taking detailed messages as well as database upkeep. He/she will gain experience in selling by coordinating engagement and bridal photo shoots at Minute Maid Park. This intern will have many opportunities to network with and work with many departments within the Astros organization, as well as our event execution partners, and with Astros corporate and social clients. Ideal intern candidates will possess comfort, confidence, maturity and poise to deal with all of these entities. This internship may require working additional hours during the week and some weekends dependent upon the scheduling of events.
*** 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.
*** Urban Youth Academy *** The primary goal of the Urban Youth Academy Internship is to provide interns with the opportunity to learn about the day-to-day operations of the UYA, while developing business and communication skills necessary for success in business. The UYA intern will receive firsthand knowledge of the day-to-day operations as well as the skills needed to organize clinics and events, baseball and softball instruction, coaching, teaching and administration. The intern will learn the operations of professional sports organization and community outreach programs. Interns will have the opportunity to learn and instruct baseball and softball techniques during the internship. The intern will also assist in coordinating and supervising activities at the academy, assist with office agendas and other related office duties, camp and clinic set ups and instruction, and score keeping. Other specific duties will vary based on the academy’s needs. This internship offers a flexible schedule based upon Academy needs and events schedule. It will include some evening and weekends.