Journalism Student Gains Sports Industry Experience Before Sophomore Year at MSU

As a journalism sophomore, Madeline Stamm has wasted no time getting a jump start on gaining experience in the sports industry.

Stamm spent the summer as the social media and promotions intern for the Buffalo Bisons, a minor league baseball team in her hometown of Buffalo, New York. Her responsibilities at her internship included a wide range of tasks such as helping with the concessions, switching the advertisements and signs around the stadium, taking photos, and giving away prizes in between innings.

Stamm also compiled the advertisements that were used each month and sent them to the appropriate sponsors. She also spent time in the press box learning what goes on behind the scenes.

"I didn’t really know what I was going to be doing, but I loved learning what goes into each game, behind the scenes," Stamm said. "It takes a lot to keep fans happy. It was fun getting to see how they do productions and the video and audio boards."

Stamm also works for the Big Ten Network at Michigan State University and she said it was interesting to see how some of the techniques compared between each job, including how the team did replay.

"Replay was pretty similar, so it was awesome that I already knew how to do some of that stuff," Stamm said. "Everything was just on a bigger scale."

The sports industry is one Stamm hopes to continue gaining experience in and pursuing after graduation.

"I just realized I had this passion for sports," Stamm said. "I love to write, so I just started writing articles for a website on overviews of games. I saw the different options there are here and every game, I get more and more excited about it."

During her internship, Stamm signed up to volunteer for other organizations and teams. She volunteered for the Orange Bowl and had the opportunity to meet so many people through the experience and through other local teams that she reached out to during her internship with the Buffalo Bisons.

"Sign up for volunteer opportunities, talk to people and ask good questions," Stamm said. "You never know who you are going to meet."

Stamm was incredibly proactive about gaining experience during her freshman year at MSU and encourages others to go after their passions early, as well. She joined clubs such as Future Leaders in Sports and Entertainment (FLISE) and MSU’S Association for Women in Sports Media (AWSM).

"Get involved with everything you can," Stamm said. "You make connections by joining clubs. Also, add people on LinkedIn if you want their jobs and set up a phone call to ask questions."

Stamm went to Miami with AWSM over the summer and said that joining the organization was the best decision she ever made. She recommends doing everything you can early in your college career.

"Last year as a freshman, I was so busy joining everything I could," Stamm said. "I know I want a future in sports so I try to network as much as I can and stay in contact with those connections."