As another semester ends, the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute says goodbye to four interns. These students helped curate content, plan events and spread the message of the Institute. The Fall 2024 intern class shares their highlights and future plans.
Kyler Blose, Events Lead
Kyler with the Tiger Cub at RECESS
1. What was your favorite memory/experience with RHBSSI?
My favorite experience was RECESS. I’d never done anything like that before, and I knew this was different because it catered to people helping push me toward my new career, and I wanted it to be impactful. It ended up being such a fun night, and I was able to network and oversee the event while actively participating in the experience demos that were presented. My favorite memory is the clean-up after our holiday party; this team makes it so easy to laugh and have fun that the work doesn’t feel like work. Listening to Christmas music, hanging out with the team, and enjoying my last few days as a Clemson student made the whole experience special.
2. What advice would you give to future interns?
The biggest thing is to keep an open mind and never doubt your abilities. Accepting new challenges was the only way I could grow, and I gained so many important skills that I have since carried with me into the next chapter of my life. Ask as many questions as possible and never be afraid to ask others for opinions or ideas; collaboration is really important, and knowing how to work with others on business-style projects is a skill that will make life much easier when you enter your specific career field.
3. How has RHBSSI helped you with your future career goals?
Before joining RHBSSI, I was a Recreation Intern at the City of Easley Parks and Recreation Department, where I helped with large-scale events, community program initiatives, and the basics of recreation management. Coming to RHBSSI helped me expand on the skills and knowledge I gained during my time with the Easley Rec team; I could apply what I learned previously to a new assignment, be extremely hands-on with my events and act as one of the main voices. During my time with RHBSSI, I could also practice my vendor coordination skills, hone my professional language and establish career goals for myself.
4. What are your future plans? (graduation, jobs, goals, etc.)
After my December graduation, I will join the City of Clemson Parks and Recreation Department as their new Community Programs Coordinator. I will be making my four-year stay in Clemson a little more permanent, staying close to the different University departments, and exploring life as a Clemson resident. I am so excited for this next chapter of my life, but I will miss being an intern with RHBSSI; this has been such a wonderful experience, and I could not recommend it enough!
Taylor Erdman, Communications Lead
Taylor (left) managing registration at RECESS
1. What was your favorite memory/experience with RHBSSI?
My favorite memory would have to be helping to organize and promote RECESS, our inaugural sports science symposium! It was inspiring to see so many talented individuals come together to share their passion for sports science. Not only was the event fun and educational, but it also brought our team of interns closer together.
2. What advice would you give to future interns?
Be proactive! Take the initiative to suggest ideas, whether for social media, events or other projects. The Institute is a place where creativity and innovation are valued, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
3. How has RHBSSI helped you with your future career goals?
Working for RHBSSI has given me hands-on experience in managing a social media account, a skill that’s invaluable within the sports communication industry. My involvement with the Institute has also deepened my understanding of the intersection between sports, science and communication, which I hope to leverage in future roles.
4. What are your future plans? (graduation, jobs, goals, etc.)
Next semester, I’ll be interning full-time for the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame as their Digital Content Creator/Marketing Intern. I’ll be graduating in May, hoping to pursue a career in sports media or public relations.
Grace O’Donnell, Writer/Editor
Grace in CUFSAE’s Tiger 24 Formula One car at RECESS
1. What was your favorite memory/experience with RHBSSI?
This is probably going to be everyone’s answer, but RECESS for sure. I loved meeting so many new people with shared interests, and had a genuinely fun time doing set up and tear down with the team. The event was a huge success too and I am so proud to be part of the inaugural one!
2. What advice would you give to future interns?
Future interns – become friends with your teammates! It’s so much easier to get things done when you’re all on the same page, and when you truly look forward to meetings because you know you’re going to have fun it makes a world of difference.
3. How has RHBSSI helped you with your future career goals?
RHBSSI has been my favorite internship EVER! John and Kayla are the best bosses and showed me how parts of the professional world work. RHBSSI has helped improve my interview skills and translating those rough interview transcripts into impactful stories, and helped me realize that my truest passion lay in sports journalism.
4. What are your future plans? (graduation, jobs, goals, etc.)
After I graduate this December, I plan to stay in Clemson for the spring semester and start the job hunt while continuing to work part time at Rick Erwin’s. I love the Clemson community so much, and I’ll never really be ready to say goodbye. I’m looking for any jobs in the world of football, specifically writing focused, but I’ll take anything that keeps me involved with the sport that I love so much.
Katie Gerbasich, Events and Writing Assistant
Katie at the Institute’s holiday party
1. What was your favorite memory/experience with RHBSSI?
I really enjoyed the holiday Christmas party. It is was such a nice way to end the semester. I got to spend the event hanging out with my fellow interns for the last time. The decorations were so cool from Brooksland to the cookie decorating, it was adorable. Then we got to watch the sunset over Watt with hot chocolate. Even, tearing down after the event was fun because of the people there.
2. What advice would you give to future interns?
Go to as many events as possible! The RHBSSI sponsors a lot of guest speakers and even if the speaker doesn’t align with your goals there is still information to be gained. Everyone has a unique story and insights. They want to help you. Going to these events are also a great way to build connections.
3. How has RHBSSI helped you with your future career goals?
RHBSSI has definitely helped me build my professional communication skills. I’ve been able to build a greater network for future endevors. It has also helped me realize all that is entailed within Sports Science. There are so many disciplines or fields one could go into. This has been so exciting to learn about and something I’m interested in pursuing.
4. What are your future plans? (graduation, jobs, goals, etc.)
Next semester I will be a Clemson Baseball Analytics Intern. I heard about this position through RHBSSI and I am so excited to learn more about the side of sports. Analytics has always been a passion of mine. I hope to eventually have a career in sports analytics or communications.
Natalie Bell, Graphic Designer
Natalie and the Tiger Cub at RECESS
1. What was your favorite memory/experience with RHBSSI?
My favorite memory was RECESS! The team and I worked so hard for months on logistics and graphics, so it was very rewarding to see the event come together. It was a huge success and it was very rewarding to see attendees use collateral that I designed.
2. What advice would you give to future interns?
Set up a project management system early! Excel was a perfect way to keep track of all my internship assignments and due dates.
3. How has RHBSSI helped you with your future career goals?
RHBSSI has given me experience in a completely different area of marketing than I was used to. I have always worked on the business side of marketing, so it was a fun experience getting to work on marketing sports-related events and research!
4. What are your future plans? (graduation, jobs, goals, etc.)
I will graduate in May of 2025, and I hope to work at an agency as a graphic designer!
A Note from RHBSSI Leadership
The RHBSSI Fall 2024 Intern Team
We wish to thank our fall students for their hard work and dedication this semester! They put in some long hours for our RECESS Symposium and took the lead on a variety of projects.
Looking ahead, the Institute will welcome one returning and four new Clemson students to the intern team for Spring 2025:
Graphic Designer – Natalie Bell, Department of Graphic Communications (returning)
Events Lead – Keeleigh Bush, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Communications Lead – Evelyn Lane, Department of Marketing
Writer/Editor – Griffin Barfield, Department of Communication
*New* Technical Communications Specialist – Nicole Souza, Department of Bioengineering
