This summer I interned with the Cleveland Guardians in their Merchandising Department. I worked in several departments from the Distribution center where I received goods and sent goods out to consumers, the company buyers, and got to work in the main team store during games throughout the duration of my time with the organization.
Initially, walking into the internship, I did not expect my view of myself to change much. I knew I might walk out with new ideas, but I did not anticipate my work preferences and personal interests would evolve along the way. This internship was one of my first experiences outside of college, giving me a taste of the real world. I worked alongside other college students and individuals who do this for a living, which is their livelihood. Through this, I gained a better understanding of what it’s like to work in Corporate America, which ultimately altered my long-term work preferences
During my experience with the Cleveland Guardians, I realized that I enjoy working in a high-energy, fast-paced environment. I also appreciated how different tasks are carried out daily to make sure that players, their families, stakeholders, and the organization as a whole are well taken care of. While interning with the merchandising department, one part of the process stood out to me and made me reconsider my original career aspirations. Working with the merchandise buyers was a great experience, and it made me want to continue pursuing opportunities in this field, possibly as a merchandise buyer for other organizations, both inside and outside the sports world.
The sports industry presents its challenges in many ways, but regardless of which department you work in, your work matters because it impacts someone else’s life. Deadlines must be met, and the ability to think quickly and solve problems is crucial to the process.
My perception of the business and sports industries changed immensely. Working in corporate America with a professional baseball team shaped my view of the world in several ways. Over time, I began to see professional sports not only as entertainment but as a business driven by financial gain, sponsorships, media relations, and public relations. Throughout my experience, I gained a deeper appreciation for the cultural significance of sports and how it brings together people from different parts of the world.
During my internship, I witnessed the importance of corporate structures, which clarified my career aspirations. This exposure showed me how large organizations, like the Cleveland Guardians, operate and how they maintain their brand’s tradition while continuing to evolve to stay in line with current trends. One thing I came to appreciate was how much the Cleveland Guardians strive to improve the city of Cleveland, working with various organizations, charities, and groups such as the local Boys and Girls Club, youth baseball and softball, MLB Together, and initiatives for diversity, equity, inclusion, and pride
The biggest challenge I faced during the internship was the pressure of commercialization. The importance of the Cleveland Guardians’ brand and the way they managed their operations shifted my view of sports and the professional industry, creating a clear distinction between the game and the passion for money. While I had a great time working with the organization, one of the more difficult aspects I had to learn to navigate was corporate politics. Dealing with workplace dynamics and politics made me aware of how power and decision-making are distributed among individuals and groups within large organizations. This experience not only opened my eyes to these dynamics within the Cleveland Guardians but also made me realize they could exist across the country, which has caused me to reconsider my desire to work in corporate America.
Working in the Distribution Center was one of the roles where I interacted with the fewest individuals on a daily basis. Each day, I received inventory shipments, unloaded and processed deliveries of team merchandise, equipment, and other goods. The process required attention to detail as I made sure everything matched the shipment orders being sent out to customers. I was also trained on software that tracks stock levels across different store locations within the ballpark and the warehouse. This experience taught me how to manage stock and monitor supply and demand trends. Overall, I enjoyed my experience in the Distribution Center. I got to see the hands-on process of what it takes to distribute products to main stores and consumers across the country.
Working with the merchandise buyers was the experience that left the biggest impact on me, and I hope it’s something I can apply in whatever field I pursue in the future. Seeing how intricate the process was—choosing what to buy based on supply, demand, wants, and needs. Receiving a certain amount of product and deciding which locations to send it to and effectively laying it out in the store so it’s easy for consumers to navigate was all very interesting to me. It was also fascinating to see how the store layout evolved as the season progressed.
One day, that will always stick with me and made me enjoy the process even more aws the release of the City Connect jerseys. The City Connect series which is released by the MLB are alternate uniforms that feature different colors, fonts and graphics that are specific to the hometown team and it looks to celebrate the city’s history and culture. This year, the Cleveland Guardians had the opportunity to release their own City Connect jerseys. The process of purchasing the merchandise was meticulous and complex. On the day we received all the merchandise, it was crucial that nothing leaked to the media, and we were especially careful to keep all information about the new line confidential.
Setting up the store was a precise process. Every detail from where the products were placed to how much was displayed was carefully calculated. The store layout was pre-planned on a document, and it was our responsibility to execute the vision made by the merchandise buyers. Initially, I thought the layout might not be that critical over time, but as we received more products and saw how different items sold, the store layout became even more important. Our role was to communicate effectively with the merchandise buyers, letting them know what was popular with consumers and what wasn’t. Ensuring we had items in stock was crucial to our success each week. As nerve-racking as the process was, it all paid off in the end, seeing everyone in the organization happy with the decisions made by the merchandise buyers.
On some occasions, I was sent to work in the team store, and for me, this is where everything I learned during the internship finally came together. I was able to see shoppers come in or buy products online that we held in the store items purchased by the buyers and distributed to several locations from the Distribution Center. The Cleveland Guardians have a very passionate fan base, who look to stay updated on the latest merchandise. I received calls daily about new merchandise, jerseys, and other products. Since I had learned how to operate the software in the Distribution Center and worked closely with the merchandise buyers, I was able to inform customers when we would receive our next shipment of a particular item they asked for.
While working in the team store, I also had the opportunity to work one-on-one with players and their family members, assisting them with whatever items they were looking for and handling very private information. This experience allowed me to see the trust my internship leaders had in me to handle confidential information, which I felt honored to do.
In addition to these experiences, I was able to network and make several friends, many who I still keep in touch with today. These established relationships are something I hope to continue to keep in contact with in the future.
Walking away from this internship, I learned that I may not want to be part of corporate America, at least not in the same capacity as I was during my merchandising internship with the Cleveland Guardians. This shift in my plans has influenced my academic decisions and made me reconsider whether I want to continue pursuing my current major. I do believe that my marketing major is very versatile and can lead me into various fields, so working in sports was a great first step. While I wouldn’t be opposed to working in sports, being higher up in the corporate hierarchy has definitely caused me to rethink my career path. Although I’m currently in my third year, I am open to exploring new majors. Changing my major is something I think about frequently, but I also consider finishing my degree and potentially returning to school after completing my bachelor’s.
Overall, I’m grateful to walk away from this experience with valuable lessons that have allowed me to grow both personally and academically at The Ohio State University. The more life experiences I gain, the better equipped I will be to decide what I want to do in the future. Working with the STEP program has given me the chance to explore this opportunity, which not many people have, and for that, I am truly grateful.
