South’s Athletic Department is offering student internships designed to spotlight skills in social media. The internships give students hands-on experience while also elevating the Athletic Department’s digital presence, Courtney Middleton, Associate Athletic Director, said.

This program aims to give students real-world experience behind the scenes of high school athletics, Middleton, who sponsers the program, said. The internships offer  experience with social media, allowing interns to create weekly schedules to post on South Athletic’s social media, Middleton said. The posts include photos, which the interns take. This ensures that interns get an opportunity to get on the field and contribute their own work, Middleton added. The idea for the internships was inspired by a recent state conference, where Middleton learned about similar programs at other schools.

“I started doing some brainstorming and started collaborating with other colleagues in the state that have these internship opportunities,” Middleton said. 

The program was created to be a new source of student involvement in South media, Middleton said. She collaborated with department colleagues and the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department to develop the program.

Two main internship tracks are offered: one focused on social media and branding, and another on sports management and event support, Middleton explained. The sports management role involves tasks like facility and equipment management, game day operations, and collaborating with coaches and athletes, she said.

 “Students are the real experts when it comes to social media and digital marketing, so why not give them a chance to apply those skills,” Middleton said. “[I thought] that would have been such a great opportunity to have when I was in high school here.”

Currently, six students  applied for this year-long program, with two already moving forward in the internship process and 4 taking photography positions, Middleton said. Senior Phillip Maita who is already working as a social media graphic design intern and creating and posting weekly athletic schedules. Maita is excited about gaining leadership  and social media skills through the internship.

“I’m responsible for creating and scheduling weekly varsity game schedules, player of the month highlights, and coordinating photographers,” Maita said. 

Another intern is senior Mcandrew Zolboo, who coordinates his schedule with Maita closely. The two meet in a shared workspace at the athletic office and regualrly check in with Middleton. 

“[This program] will help me be able to coordinate different things,” Zolboo said. “We [are all] working together, but separately, so it feels pretty independent.”    The program’s goal is to grow with each semester, with hopes of adding more interns and expanding their roles in the future, Middleton said.

 “We’re excited to give students real-life experience and what it means to run an athletic department,” Middleton said.