Two App State public relations students are making their mark and learning their craft while completing internships in the popular and competitive arena of sports. Claire Croghan and Maggie Pannone are both gaining invaluable experience and career insights as females in the usually male-dominated sports fields.
Claire Croghan: Enjoying life in the fast lane of motor sports
Life in the fast lane has been a good fit for Claire Croghan, a rising senior public relations major who is investing this summer as an events and guest services intern at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Among the lessons she has learned is the importance of being flexible.
"Every day is different, and adaptability is important. Around here, they constantly stress the importance of being able to pivot and adjust to changing circumstances," said Claire, a native of Matthews, N.C. "I have found that things rarely go perfectly, and many things are out of our control. When changes occur, it is important to not hesitate, but to adjust to the situation and roll with it."
Her responsibilities are giving Claire a well-rounded look at sports PR.
"I spend much time working behind the scenes to execute and support large-scale events. I need to attend to details to make sure everything runs smoothly. Some of my duties include escorting VIP guests, working at pre-race events and ensuring all the logistics that help for fan engagement," she said.
The flexible approach that is vital to event-planning carries through to strategic writing in her internship.
"I have learned that you must adjust your writing style to fit the company. You can allow your personality to show through, but you also need to tailor your writing to the audience and the company's values," Claire emphasized.
The internship search was an uncertain pursuit for Claire.
"I was very stressed out at the beginning of spring semester, but I took comfort from class speakers who talked of their own struggles in landing an internship," Claire said. "I was not having much luck with the traditional job-networking apps, so I relied more on connections and the personal touch. However, once I had my foot in the door, I still have had to prove myself and keep pushing to prove I belong here."
Claire had to overcome the traditional first-day jitters.
"My first day, I was wondering what little 'ol me was doing here in this big corporate building. However, the second day, I felt much more comfortable. One of Charlotte Motor Speedway's core values is teamwork, and it feels like family here."
Claire has allowed herself to grow, take risks and make the most of the opportunity.
"I used to be super shy, but I have forced myself to be more outgoing. Additionally, I have learned to say 'yes' to everything that is offered to me. Even if it is having lunch with a boss or coworkers, it is important to seize the opportunity. Those are great bonding experiences. I have had to break out of my shell."
Her supervisor, Jennifer Blake, has been a great resource.
"Jennifer has been very supportive and has gone out of her way to help me adjust and succeed. She is also a former intern who was in my shoes a handful of years ago. She is a wonderful mentor, which is a big reason I have gotten so much out of this experience."
Adjusting to the sports world has not been difficult for Claire.
"There are a lot of female employees in the area where I work, and there is no pushback in the building because of my gender. Some on the outside are surprised to see a female in the sports field, but I have not had any roadblocks at work."
Maggie Pannone: Making a big hit with summer baseball team
Maggie Pannone is experiencing first-hand the effort that goes into making games a relaxing experience for fans during her summer internship with the Lake Norman (N.C.) HarborHippos, a summer baseball league team for college players.
"I have found that sports careers are hard work. We work when others relax, such as evenings, weekends and holidays," Maggie said.
During a home game, her typical day begins between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and does not end until around 11 p.m.
"One thing I have learned from this internship is that there is no substitute for hard work," said Maggie, a rising junior. "It is important to keep showing up if you want to earn the respect of those around you. A strong work ethic is more important than talent at this point in our careers."
With the HarborHippos being a first-year team, there have been added responsibilities.
"Especially in the beginning, it was 'all hands on deck' to get things going, and I was doing a little bit of everything, as were all of the interns," Maggie said.
Maggie, a social media marketing intern, began working largely with merchandising and has included duties such as using a microphone while hosting on-field contests, PA assistant, operating the scoreboard, and creating both graphics and flyers for social media venues.
"I have been on the job for only a month, and they are gradually giving me more responsibility and freedom," Maggie said.
The experience has allowed Maggie to build on what she has learned as an App State PR student.
"There are some things that cannot be learned in the classroom," Maggie said. "For instance, I am constantly communicating with strangers. I used to be very shy, and I have had to adjust since I am constantly working with new people. Much of my time has been spent in customer service and dealing with people, some of whom are very demanding."
The work is fast-paced.
"I am also learning on the job in terms of how quickly things move. Rarely do things go as planned, and you have to be prepared for anything."
Maggie is one of two females among nine interns for the HarborHippos.
"It can be hard being a young female in the sports field," she said. "I found it more difficult at first to be taken seriously. I am looking to break stereotypes, and I am proving I know what I am talking about," Pannone said.
Maggie has a strong background for this position. She was a four-year starter as a softball player at Lincoln Charter High School in Huntersville, N.C., earning all-conference and all-district honors, where she also competed in swimming and track.
"I actually got my start in sports marketing, making highlight reels and promoting myself to potential college coaches before I realized what sports marketing is," she said.
Maggie's adjustment has been helped by HarborHippos marketing associate MaKenna Pearn, a 2021 App State graduate, who majored in English with a minor in communication.
"MaKenna has gone out of her way to mentor me and has taught me so much, such as how to work with people and handle difficult situations. One of the reasons I took this position was to have the opportunity to learn under MaKenna. Having her as a mentor is invaluable," Maggie said.
Copy provided by Professor Jack Jeffery
Two PR students at their respective internships.
