Program Overview
The Western New York Flash are looking to fill internships for the 2012 season. We are offering a variety of positions, which will all focus on separate areas within the teams' front office. These positions will provide applicants with an opportunity to experience the world of professional sports by challenging them with projects and responsibilities. Interns will earn valuable office skills as well as game day experience throughout the season.

Eligibility Requirements
Students must be enrolled in a degree program at an accredited college or university. We look for community involvement, volunteerism, relevant experience and a general knowledge of sports.
Candidates should be highly self-motivated students that desire success. They should have excellent verbal communication, ability to organize, prioritize tasks. Applicants should also possess a positive attitude, great work ethic, ability to work well in a team environment, ability to assist in all areas needed and flexibility to work weekends and various events.

Program Curriculum
The ultimate goal of the program is to position the student as a marketable candidate for future jobs or internships. We will provide an environment for them to obtain real world knowledge through hands on experience.
Each intern will be partnered with a mentor to allow the students to learn from professionals in a real-world work environment. Close interaction with a mentor will provide students with a unique opportunity to learn and grow as an individual. Each student will also be paired with another student to encourage and build the skills associated with teamwork.
Students will attend and participate in weekly meetings to discuss the work they have completed and what they are working on currently. All areas of the teams' front office will be in attendance. These meetings will act as a platform for discussion between interns and departments. They will encourage brainstorming to create ideas as well as initiatives to increase the success of the WNY Flash.

Program Stipend
We do not offer a stipend for the duration of the internship all internships are unpaid but can however be used for college credit. The organization will work to provide interns with incentives for their work such as food at all events worked, group outings and an end of the year dinner paid for by the Flash.

Evaluations
We do not provide written evaluations, but are willing to complete any evaluations required by the interns' school.

Hours
Applicants should be able to work at least 10-20 hours a week for the Flash, however hours are flexible and can be set to accommodate class and schoolwork. Additionally students must be available to work Flash home games throughout the 2012 season. Students are expected to start during their spring semesters and work through the summer until the teams' season concludes. The ability to start work in January is highly encouraged but not mandatory.
We will accept a few interns for a May start date if school or travel restricts them from starting before the end of their spring semester.

Hiring Process
Undergraduate and graduate students are both encouraged to apply. Applicants should possess an educational background related to the internship they hope to acquire. Individuals may apply for more than one position. To apply individuals should email a copy of their resume along with a coversheet and a list of at least two references to chris.wnyflash@gmail.com. Applicants must indicate which positions they wish to be considered for in their cover letter. The deadline for application is January 21st.

If chosen for an interview you will be contacted by a member of the front office to schedule a time for the interview. Interviews will be conducted throughout the week of January 23rd.

Internship Positions

1. Media Relations Intern
   Job Description: Maintain close relationships with local and national media interested in covering the team. Field needs and concerns of media members via email and phone. Assist in scheduling interviews between players/staff and members of the media. Manage, organize and write press releases to break the news on stories associated with the WNY Flash team ad organization. Create game notes for distribution in press box during home games. Assist in the creation of media guide. Respond to requests concerning media guide, game programs, player pictures and slides.
   Qualifications/Skills: Proficient written, oral, computer and customer service skills are necessary. Applicants should be able to work well independently and within groups. A knowledge of soccer is encouraged but not required. A communications background is preferred. Writing experience and previous work with press releases is strongly recommended.
2. Merchandise Intern
   Job Description: Forecasting merchandise orders and sales. Head the management and organization of incoming and outgoing merchandise. Assist in the design ofmerchandise to promote the team and various events throughout the season. Assist in the setup of merchandise booth and the sale of product during game days and other events. Participate in the distribution of prizes and giveaways associated withgame days.
   Qualifications/Skills: Strong organizational, analytical and customer service skills. Knowledge and prior use of excel and other organizational programs. A knowledge of soccer is encouraged but not required. Previous experience in retail or sales is
   preferred.
3. Season and Group Ticket Sales Intern
   Job Description: Intern will maintain sales related spreadsheets, statistical data, and WNY Flash lead development projects. Assist in the creation of ticket deals and incentives for group buyers, season ticket holders and repeat customers. Create ticket packages throughout the season. Deal with sales to large groups such as businesses, youth soccer organizations and schools. Take sales calls via the phone, stay in contact with buyers through phone and email. Compile the information of ticket purchasers. During game days participate in the distribution of prizes and merchandise associated with special ticket deals.
   Qualifications/Skills: Strong organizational and analytical skill. Experience with organizational programs, primarily excel. Strong customer service skills are required as well as an outgoing personality, people skills, and problem solving skills. A knowledge of soccer is encouraged but not required. Sales experience is preferred but not required.
4.  Marketing Intern
   Job Description: Assist in the implementation of marketing goals and objectives. Direct activities to ensure growth and expansion of services and to guarantee that marketing goals and objectives are met. Determine target markets and choose proper media to reach them. Generate new and creative ideas to promote the WNY Flash. Assist in coordinating design, layout and distribution of all advertisement. Work closely with ticket and merchandise operations to maximize the sales of each through promotional initiatives. Create and coordinate promotional appearances as well as giveaways with merchandise team. Manage the needed materials for these appearances.
   Qualifications/Skills: Strong verbal, oral, computer and customer service skills. Marketing background encouraged but not required. A knowledge of soccer is encouraged but not required.
5. Game Day Operations and Events Intern
   Job Description: Help in the creation and implementation of game day festivities as well as community events. Maintain spreadsheets outlining personnel, equipment and other resources needed for any given event. Order, collect and organize
   resources needed for home games and events. Coordinate the return of items after events. Acquire manage volunteers if needed for a particular event. Assist in the planning of travel arrangements for team and staff during away matches.
   Qualifications/Skills: Strong organizational, leadership and customer service skills. Should be able to work well in large groups of people. Creative thinker, analytical skills. A knowledge of soccer is encouraged but not required.
6. Graphic Design Intern
   Job Description: Head the creation of promotional materials. Design of flyers, advertisement, inserts and game day promotional items. Work closely with marketing interns to design attractive artwork, which reflects marketing goals and aids in the expansion and growth of the organization. Work will promote upcoming games, community events, camps and special events. Assist in creating more efficient spreadsheets for team and organization.
   Qualifications/Skills: Applicant should be creative and independent. Must possess artistic skills and a knowledge of graphic design, background work is preferred but not necessary. Should own a laptop as well as the programs publisher, pages and word.
7. Sponsorship Fulfillment/VIP Intern
   Job Description: Work exclusively with VIP members to ensure they are given a premier experience during home games and throughout the season. Create programs to enhance these individuals in game experience. Organize gifts and packages for VIP's. Organize parties and suites for these individuals, greet individuals and address their needs and concerns. Sponsorship fulfillment will involve maintaining strong relationships with the teams' sponsors in order to facilitate their needs and concerns. Use the teams' resources to increase the value and maximize the visibility of the various sponsors' products. Assist in the creation of programs and promotional items which will increase the value of sponsors as well as the Flash. Help create signage, slogans, promotions and appearances. Communicate between sponsors and Flash to attend to needs concerning both sides. Assist in building contracts between sponsors and the Flash.
   Qualifications and Skills: Strong organizational, problem solving and customer service skills. Must be outgoing, friendly and cognitive of fans emotions. Applicants have to work well in stressful situations and attend to issues in an efficient and timely manner. A background in event planning is preferred but not required. A knowledge of and interest in soccer is encouraged.
8. Youth Development Intern
   Job Description: Promote the WNY Flash through programs that create interaction between the organization and local youth teams. Develop strategies to increase group sales through youth teams. Create camps and training sessions for youth soccer clubs hosted by WNY Flash staff and players.
   Qualifications/Skills: Strong organizational and customer service skills. Applicants should be creative, outgoing and friendly. A knowledge of and background in soccer is strongly encouraged. Should have previous experience working with children.
9. Broadcasting Intern
   Job Description: Head the creation of "in house" stories surrounding the WNY Flash, the WPS and the world of women's soccer. Stories should appear in a traditional sports news video format. Intern will be granted exclusive access to players and coaches to conduct interviews. Intern will conduct postgame interviews for teams' website as well.
   Qualifications and Skills: Strong verbal skills. Applicant is expected to hold experience in interviewing and broadcasting. Must have access to the necessary equipment needed to film and edit news stories. Intern should be outgoing, independent, hard working and highly motivated. Applicant's services will not be needed until May.