INTERNSHIP INSIGHT: Matt Bozek ’19 – CSM Sport & Entertainment

ENDICOTT COLLEGE PROGRAMS OF STUDY | INTERNSHIPS AND CAREERS

BEVERLY, Mass. – Endicott College is a pioneer in requiring comprehensive internship experiences in every program of study for undergraduate students. Here's a look into men's volleyball student-athlete and sport management major/business administration minor Matt Bozek (Exeter, N.H.) internship experience at CSM Sport & Entertainment. 

ECGULLS: Describe your overall internship experience.

BOZEK: My overall internship has been very interesting and a great experience. I am doing it at CSM Sport and Entertainment in Brighton, Mass. CSM is a large company with over 25 offices in 18 different countries around the world. My first day didn't go quite as planned as I got a flat tire just prior to reaching my internship. Luckily, I was able to make it there on time. I then had to call AAA on my lunch break and leave work an hour early to get my car fixed. Not a great first impression, but since then its been much smoother. I work closely with two account executives in charge of sales and finding potential sponsors for IndyCar and the two million dollar winner-take-all "The Basketball Tournament". The Basketball Tournament known as TBT is growing rapidly as it's going into their sixth year. They are a very unique sports property as it's a winner-take-all tournament that brings talents from all over. Last year, former NBA players such as Jared Sullinger, Greg Oden, and Jimmer Fredette all participated in the tournament. My main role here is lead generation and doing research to support the sales team. I do research and find potential contacts, and any new relevant information on businesses and how they could connect and be successful partnering with either property.

ECGULLS: What have you learned from your internship?

BOZEK: Some highlights of my internship thus far have been listening in on meetings, one was with PUMA and their Director of Marketing, who recently just got back into basketball and is a partner of TBT. The other is Fireball Whiskey. We are looking to add in broadcast enhancements to TBT games in 2019. With this said, Fireball is interested in TBT turning the basketball on fire if a player gets hot, hits a long range shot, or hits a game-winning shot, while also putting the fireball logo on the screen. Within the last month, NBA legend and future Hall of Famer Chris Paul signed a deal to become a minority owner of TBT because he loves the concept so much. With Chris Paul on board, we are now very confident TBT will be able to acquire State Farm as a sponsor. It is extremely cool and interesting to be working with a team that is so close to these big name superstars.  

ECGULLS: How will this internship help you in your career moving forward?

BOZEK: I have already learned so much in my first six-plus weeks at this internship and I am looking forward to seeing what else is in store. The connections I have been able to make at this internship will help open so many doors for me in my career moving forward. Not only am I close with my office, but our office also is in the same building as TBT so I have been able to connect with their team as well. CSM is a huge company as well, and even though I may not know people in other offices, the fact that I am part of the CSM family, in general, can lead to future connections for me. The skills I have learned at this internship will also help differentiate me from other candidates when applying to jobs in the future. 

THE ENDICOTT INTERNSHIP MODEL

A philosophy of "learning by doing" permeates the college curriculum in which students are encouraged to integrate theory and practice in all of their studies.

Through their experiences in internships students will be prepared to:

• Apply, integrate, and evaluate knowledge within a particular academic discipline
• Develop competencies for careers and community service
• Explore career options and gain field experience
• Foster personal growth through increased self-confidence, interpersonal skills, an understanding of self and others, and a heightened awareness of ethical standards
• Improve the ability to learn in a self-directed manner

"The Endicott internship model allows students to have multiple opportunities throughout their college experience to discover their passions, bolster career confidence, and develop a marketable skill set while creating a professional network that will serve them well after graduation," said Endicott's Dean of the Internship and Career Center Eric Hall. "Endicott students leave with the career-readiness competencies and passion needed to excel in today's workforce." 

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(Photo Credit - David Le '10)