Smith College emphasizes the importance of internships and other work experiences because they are vital to a successful transition into the world of work and graduate school.
Jessie Ruffner (Rocklin, Calif./Rocklin), who is a
Mathematical Science major and member of the basketball program, is currently interning with the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association. Here's a look into her internship experience.
1) Where is your internship and why did you choose this organization?
I am currently working as a finance intern with the Milwaukee Bucks. I chose this organization because the Bucks have been a rising top contender in the NBA for several seasons. I quickly was drawn to see the behind the scenes of their success, as they are a small market team competing against big city teams, which can be challenging. It made me think about our basketball team at Smith and how we have grown to be a top NCAA D3 program - a challenging route for a historically women's college, but a historic and memorable journey to say the least!
2) What was the process like to obtain your internship?
As I entered my junior year at Smith, I knew it was important to find an internship for the summer. I am a Mathematical Statistics major with a minor in Exercise and Sports Studies, so if I could find a way to combine my passion for math and sports that was the ideal goal. I reached out to the Bucks, and began regular contact through the winter and into the spring semester. This consisted of emails with the president of the team, phone calls/interviews with executives within the HR department, which eventually led to a final interview on Microsoft Teams with the Finance Department.
3) Describe your overall internship experience.
I am currently wrapping up the fifth week of my 12 week long summer internship with the Bucks. It has been more than I could have dreamed of so far. The finance department is preparing for their yearly audit, as the fiscal year for the NBA ends at the end of June. This has allowed me to aid and shadow the process, all while gaining a deeper understanding for how the financial side of an organization of this caliber operates. There is TONS more that goes into it than just the basketball. As well as being in the office, as part of the internship group we volunteer a lot. Right now, I am volunteering at America Scores - an organization that provides a soccer camp for the underprivileged youth of Milwaukee. Here we mentor the kids on teamwork, skill building, and more all in a fun and competitive environment. I have joined three Employee Resource Groups (ERG): Rising Individuals in Sports and Entertainment (RISE), Women's Initiative Network (WIN), and Bucks Pride Alliance. These are all resources I plan to utilize to grow myself as a person and in my career!
4) What have you learned from your internship?
There is a lot to learn in an internship. Yes so far I have gained a deeper understanding and knowledge of finance in general, but in depth how it correlates to the direct success of an NBA team like the Bucks. However, this is not the most important part of my internship. The main focus of my summer is to be curious, meet as many new people as possible, and network to the best of my abilities. It is something that I found out very quickly, be personable and be okay being uncomfortable. It is not easy to be the newbie in a work setting, but everyone here at the Bucks is extremely accepting and welcoming! I am truly honored to work for an organization that has such an amazing culture on the court and in the office!
5) How will this internship help you in your career moving forward?
This internship is helping me realize how I can combine my love of basketball and math to find a job in the real world. The real life experiences and connections I will gain at the end of this journey will hopefully be ones to last a lifetime. I am excited to see where the rest of this summer takes me!
About Smith Athletics: Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information log on to smithpioneers.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
