Organization: Red Sox Foundation
Hometown: Newton, MA
Year: Class of 2017
Major: English (Pre-Med track focusing on Pediatrics)
Duration: Summer
Compensation: Paid
Louis had a extraordinary experience combining his two interests: helping others and sports. An internship doesn't have to directly correlate with your prospective profession. It's a chance to do something unique and cool, too! Here's what Louis learned from what most Bostonians would consider a dream internship:
During the internship search, don't let a dead-end stop you!
 |
| (pinterest.com) |
Through conversations with his Career Center advisor (props to Nicole Anderson!), Louis was able to find opportunity hidden in dead-ends. Even when Louis heard "no" from one organization, he looked towards a larger network - the Red Sox - for opportunity.
According to Louis, "We were initially looking into [the Homebase Program], which basically helps war veterans with PTSD and TBI... " While Louis is an English major, he is also pre-med, and the prospect of working at The Homebase Program at Massachusetts General Hospital was really interesting. But, MGH is a world class hospital and there are lots of college students in Boston seeking internships there. The Homebase Program is one of many organizations made possible by the Red Sox Foundation, so the next strategy was to apply directly to the Red Sox Internship Program and indicate that he was interested in the Foundation.
Working for a big company can bring once-in-a-lifetime opportunities!
 |
| Don't throw away a great opportunity...(pandawhale.com) |
Working with the Red Sox Foundation brought major (league) perks. Besides attending games on the reg, Louis also had weekly meetings with figures from the Red Sox's front office. This included an amazing opportunity to meet with former Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino. Of course, the most important part about an opportunity is to make the most of it! During his one-on-one with Larry Lucchino, Louis pitched an idea that would help increase registration in RBI Youth Baseball, which supports inner-city youth participation in the sport.
According to Louis, "At the end of [the internship]...when I had my meeting with him, he asked me, 'What's one thing you would do to improve the Foundation?' So I thought about, and I came up with a pretty good response I felt, and he liked it, and he said he would present it to the front office...I felt like I was able to contribute to a cause. It really was a culmination of my experience there. I was able to not leave it as it was, but improve [it] in some sort of way."
Understand your role as an intern and make it your goal to fulfill that role!
 |
| An intern should never laze around (manresamaine.wordpress.com) |
An internship holds responsibilities and expectations just like any position. In an office full of hard-working, significant figures, Louis strived to be a resource for the company rather than an extra body.
According to Louis, "Interns are there to do work that people don't have the time to do--that's the nature of interns. So while I was there, it took me a little time to understand that, but [as an intern,] I'm helping people make their lives a little easier. I need to make sure that every second I'm not just taking my time there for granted and wasting a possible resource that they can use, which is me helping them."
Confidently face challenges!
 |
| Face every challenge like a victory! (fansided.com) |
Those first few days or weeks of an internship are bound to be a little bumpy, and Louis' were no exception. His regret during the internship traces back to his first few rounds selling raffle tickets during game days when he initially felt awkward approaching people. But it just goes to show that confidence is definitely important as an intern especially since you have no idea what task is coming your way.
The early bird gets the internship...(yes, that totally is the saying, what are you talking about?!..)
 |
| Timing is everything...(www.sbnation.com) |
Okay, I'll admit, that's not the real saying. I also have to admit that being the first one to send an application may not make a significant difference. However, Louis points out that getting a head start on searching and prepping for applications opens up more opportunities than starting everything at the last minute. (The Career Center is always open for resume critiques and internship consultations *hint hint*...)
According to Louis, "It's never too early to start looking for things for the summer,...making sure the resume is where it should be, [and] writing the right cover letter towards [internships] that you find online."
Where do you go after a major league internship?
 |
| Sorry, is my New York showing? hehe...(the5thq.wordpress.com) |
After working with the Red Sox Foundation, Louis plans to look for a volunteer opportunity with a local hospital. And thanks to the Red Sox's multiple hospital partnerships, he hopes to start looking among those partnerships to build off the connections he's made with the Red Sox Foundation.
Look out for more Intern Spotlights full of experience, wisdom, and classic college struggles!
Thanks for reading!
Nina Joung
Class of 2018
