This past week was my last week as a media relations intern for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
As I am sure everyone knows by now, the Penguins were swept in four games by the New York Islanders, who held the second seed in the Metropolitan Division, just one seed above the Pens.
In the final game, all of the interns worked and we all got to have a hand in researching game notes and doing our usual game time activities. The only difference between our last game and any other game was that everyone was way more somber than usual.
Our last official day came two days later at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry.
We got to help out with locker clean out day, which was equally sad and cool to experience.
It began with organizing mail for the players and tracking them down in their locker room/lounge to sign 8x10s to give away in the off season. It ended with waiting for Sid to come into our office and sign all of his stuff so we could go to lunch.
In the meantime, we worked the press conference with Sully and GMJR - again, depressing.
Honestly, this internship was one of the best things I have ever done and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
#LGP
Saturday, April 20, 2019
Sunday, April 14, 2019
Pittsburgh Penguins Internship - Week 14
This week was an exciting (and disappointing) one.
After all of our work putting together the playoff media guide, we finally got to see the finished product - and she was beautiful.
It is so rewarding to see the final product after putting in hours and hours of research and proofreading.
On Friday, I went in to make credentials and help set a few things up for the postseason. It was pretty standard for the most part, as a lot of what I did was the same thing we have been doing in the regular season, just in higher quantities.
Sunday was an early morning with everyone reporting to PPG Paints Arena at 7:30 am for a noon Game 3. Like any other game, we got everything situated and set up, but again, we just had a lot more of everything. The media room was different for this game too because of the playoffs. It was so much bigger to accommodate all of the extra press coverage.
We had to troubleshoot a lot with visiting TV setting up in the wrong booth and visiting radio boothless (because TV took the booth they were supposed to be in) and credentials missing or nonexistent, but it made us all better because of it.
Even though the Pens are 0-3 in the series right now, it was a lot of fun to work a postseason game and to get to experience the rush of playoff hockey from a staff prospective instead of a fan.
After all of our work putting together the playoff media guide, we finally got to see the finished product - and she was beautiful.
It is so rewarding to see the final product after putting in hours and hours of research and proofreading.
On Friday, I went in to make credentials and help set a few things up for the postseason. It was pretty standard for the most part, as a lot of what I did was the same thing we have been doing in the regular season, just in higher quantities.
Sunday was an early morning with everyone reporting to PPG Paints Arena at 7:30 am for a noon Game 3. Like any other game, we got everything situated and set up, but again, we just had a lot more of everything. The media room was different for this game too because of the playoffs. It was so much bigger to accommodate all of the extra press coverage.
We had to troubleshoot a lot with visiting TV setting up in the wrong booth and visiting radio boothless (because TV took the booth they were supposed to be in) and credentials missing or nonexistent, but it made us all better because of it.
Even though the Pens are 0-3 in the series right now, it was a lot of fun to work a postseason game and to get to experience the rush of playoff hockey from a staff prospective instead of a fan.
Sunday, April 7, 2019
Pittsburgh Penguins Internship Weeks 12/13
These past two weeks have been a doozy!
Last week, I was the day-before intern for the game on the 29th versus Nashville. It was the usual making credentials and getting things ready for the game.
I also worked the games against Nashville and Carolina while the team was on the hunt for a solidified playoff spot. Going into Tuesday's game at Detroit, all the Pens needed was two points to clinch a playoff spot, but they would wait until Thursday's game hosting Detroit (and for me to work) to actually clinch the spot.
That was an exciting night for us, and going into the locker room post-game was a fun experience... all of the guys were super pumped. The Pens' spot in the playoffs this year is their 13th consecutive appearance in the postseason, which is the longest streak in NHL history.
For Saturday's game, the Pens needed just one point to ensure they play the Islanders (as opposed to the Capitals) in the first round.
All of the interns went early to start proofreading the postseason media guide, which was built by all of us and the communications department at the organization in the course of pre- and post-game on Saturday.
The Penguins lost in overtime, but it was enough to hand us the Islanders in the first round, which is SO much better than the Capitals.
After the game, the interns and the game night staff (as well as full-time staff) stayed until 2-3 am to proofread and re-proofread the media guide. Despite being exhausted the next day, it was actually pretty fun - especially going on the ice as we were leaving.
On to playoffs!
Last week, I was the day-before intern for the game on the 29th versus Nashville. It was the usual making credentials and getting things ready for the game.
I also worked the games against Nashville and Carolina while the team was on the hunt for a solidified playoff spot. Going into Tuesday's game at Detroit, all the Pens needed was two points to clinch a playoff spot, but they would wait until Thursday's game hosting Detroit (and for me to work) to actually clinch the spot.
That was an exciting night for us, and going into the locker room post-game was a fun experience... all of the guys were super pumped. The Pens' spot in the playoffs this year is their 13th consecutive appearance in the postseason, which is the longest streak in NHL history.
For Saturday's game, the Pens needed just one point to ensure they play the Islanders (as opposed to the Capitals) in the first round.
All of the interns went early to start proofreading the postseason media guide, which was built by all of us and the communications department at the organization in the course of pre- and post-game on Saturday.
The Penguins lost in overtime, but it was enough to hand us the Islanders in the first round, which is SO much better than the Capitals.
After the game, the interns and the game night staff (as well as full-time staff) stayed until 2-3 am to proofread and re-proofread the media guide. Despite being exhausted the next day, it was actually pretty fun - especially going on the ice as we were leaving.
On to playoffs!
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Pittsburgh Penguins Internship - Week 11
This week was all non-game work for the interns.
While the Pens are going on a cold streak during their away games, we have continued to prepare for a postseason run and go through fan mail.
Geno and Sid both get a TON, it's actually a bit alarming. We've found license plates, hair lockets, notes with kisses on them, magnets, things to be signed, and then the usual "you're my hero" letter.
It is a mix of alarm and endearment opening fan mail, but fun nonetheless.
Next week, I go in on Thursday as the day-before intern to prepare credentials, then work the games on Friday against the Predators and Sunday against the Hurricanes.
Also, on a side note, my Guinness (mini golden doodle) turns two on the Saturday in between those games.
Next week will be busy at the end of the week, but we need as many points as possible if we want a playoff run!
While the Pens are going on a cold streak during their away games, we have continued to prepare for a postseason run and go through fan mail.
Geno and Sid both get a TON, it's actually a bit alarming. We've found license plates, hair lockets, notes with kisses on them, magnets, things to be signed, and then the usual "you're my hero" letter.
It is a mix of alarm and endearment opening fan mail, but fun nonetheless.
Next week, I go in on Thursday as the day-before intern to prepare credentials, then work the games on Friday against the Predators and Sunday against the Hurricanes.
Also, on a side note, my Guinness (mini golden doodle) turns two on the Saturday in between those games.
Next week will be busy at the end of the week, but we need as many points as possible if we want a playoff run!
Sunday, March 17, 2019
Pittsburgh Penguins Internship - Week 10
Happy St. Paddy's Day everyone!
I didn't work today's game against the Flyers, but I did work the other games this week - Tuesday's win against the Washington Capitals and Saturday's afternoon loss against the St. Louis Blues.
At this point in the season, we have gotten into a good rhythm with game days. All of the interns have a good understanding of what to do in the different positions and we divvy up the work practically even every game. We also know what to double check and to keep each other in check so everything is as perfect as it can be.
We also got to go through some more fan mail briefly this week. This time, the mail belonged to Crosby again, but also included some intended for Malkin, who scored his 1,000th career point in the game against the Caps. My favorite piece that I opened was all the way from Russia and included a little magnet of Malkin's home province.
During the Caps game, a reporter who had made the trip from Russia just to witness Geno's 1,000th point needed escorted to the press box. Myself being a fan of Russia, I offered and made small talk with him while we went up. I learned that his name was Igor and that he would be in a little bit of trouble with his small newspaper if he came back without the 1,000-point story, so I joked with him that I would tell Geno to do it for him. (He was so happy when the 1,000th point was scored.)
Next week, we do not have any games, but we still might be going in for off-day work. Stay tuned!
I didn't work today's game against the Flyers, but I did work the other games this week - Tuesday's win against the Washington Capitals and Saturday's afternoon loss against the St. Louis Blues.
At this point in the season, we have gotten into a good rhythm with game days. All of the interns have a good understanding of what to do in the different positions and we divvy up the work practically even every game. We also know what to double check and to keep each other in check so everything is as perfect as it can be.
We also got to go through some more fan mail briefly this week. This time, the mail belonged to Crosby again, but also included some intended for Malkin, who scored his 1,000th career point in the game against the Caps. My favorite piece that I opened was all the way from Russia and included a little magnet of Malkin's home province.
During the Caps game, a reporter who had made the trip from Russia just to witness Geno's 1,000th point needed escorted to the press box. Myself being a fan of Russia, I offered and made small talk with him while we went up. I learned that his name was Igor and that he would be in a little bit of trouble with his small newspaper if he came back without the 1,000-point story, so I joked with him that I would tell Geno to do it for him. (He was so happy when the 1,000th point was scored.)
Next week, we do not have any games, but we still might be going in for off-day work. Stay tuned!
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Pittsburgh Penguins Internship - Week 9
This week was a big one for standings points for the Penguins.
Before their loss to Columbus in Ohio on Saturday, the Pens had gained standings points in six straight games (4-0-2).
After the loss to the Blue Jackets on the second end of their home-and-home series, the Pens bounced back to beat the Bruins on Sunday. Prior to that loss, Boston had a 19-game standings points streak (15-0-4).
I am really enjoying looking up stats at this point in the season, when players are setting personal/team/league records and things are heating up before the Stanley Cup playoffs.
After working two games this week, I attended Sunday's Bruins game as a fan - SUPER weird. Going to games as a fan is an assignment for us as interns/staff of the Penguins. It allows us to view things as fans do and give feedback on the overall fan experience.
I felt so out of place as a fan at a game. Usually, we don't really cheer in the press box and immediately after a goal, we are researching stats. Today, I took in the atmosphere and looked at marketing strategies and in-game activations.
Next week, I work two more games - Tuesday against the Capitals and Saturday (Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade Day) against St. Louis.
Before their loss to Columbus in Ohio on Saturday, the Pens had gained standings points in six straight games (4-0-2).
After the loss to the Blue Jackets on the second end of their home-and-home series, the Pens bounced back to beat the Bruins on Sunday. Prior to that loss, Boston had a 19-game standings points streak (15-0-4).
I am really enjoying looking up stats at this point in the season, when players are setting personal/team/league records and things are heating up before the Stanley Cup playoffs.
After working two games this week, I attended Sunday's Bruins game as a fan - SUPER weird. Going to games as a fan is an assignment for us as interns/staff of the Penguins. It allows us to view things as fans do and give feedback on the overall fan experience.
I felt so out of place as a fan at a game. Usually, we don't really cheer in the press box and immediately after a goal, we are researching stats. Today, I took in the atmosphere and looked at marketing strategies and in-game activations.
Next week, I work two more games - Tuesday against the Capitals and Saturday (Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade Day) against St. Louis.
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Pittsburgh Penguins Internship - Week 8
There were no games this week for the Pittsburgh Penguins, but an intern's work is never done.
This week, we did a lot of maintenance things - making credentials and proofreading press releases that we ready in preparation for call-ups or trades, just in case.
We also went over the media releases that we interns wrote about Teddy Blueger's call up a few weeks ago and were assigned to write another one about Adam Johnson getting called up (hypothetically, of course).
I have decided that I really enjoy the work that I have been doing with the Pens, and I recently accepted a position as a Media Relations Intern with the Pittsburgh Pirates for this summer. Honestly, I think I might seriously consider a career path in media or public relations once I get out of Point Park.
Overall, it was a fairly bleak weak in PPG Paints Arena, but not every day can be a shootout win for the Pens.
This week, we did a lot of maintenance things - making credentials and proofreading press releases that we ready in preparation for call-ups or trades, just in case.
We also went over the media releases that we interns wrote about Teddy Blueger's call up a few weeks ago and were assigned to write another one about Adam Johnson getting called up (hypothetically, of course).
I have decided that I really enjoy the work that I have been doing with the Pens, and I recently accepted a position as a Media Relations Intern with the Pittsburgh Pirates for this summer. Honestly, I think I might seriously consider a career path in media or public relations once I get out of Point Park.
Overall, it was a fairly bleak weak in PPG Paints Arena, but not every day can be a shootout win for the Pens.
Saturday, February 23, 2019
Pittsburgh Penguins Internship - Weeks 6&7
These weeks consisted of three games with the Pens hosting the Edmonton Oilers, the New York Ranger, and finally the San Jose Sharks.
Since the trade deadline is coming up, the interns have been busy getting everything ready for the plethora of scouts that have been coming to the games recently. Press row has been practically full for all of the games as of late.
We have also been helping Emma, the graduate assistant, with graphic critiques and stats for the Stadium Series, which is being played at Lincoln Financial Center in Philadelphia as I am typing this.
Other than the addition of the Stadium Series things, it was business as usual for the interns this week.
At the end of the 4-0 blowout that the Pens suffered against the Sharks last game, I got to experience a truly angry Sully post-game, which was equally scary and fun. It is so interesting to see the difference in atmosphere that occurs from a Pens win to a Pens shutout loss like that. (Although, I really hope we do not have to experience it again.)
Weird coincidence, but there are not any home Pens games during Point Park's spring break, so I get a little break from work for the next week.
I am definitely looking forward to finishing out the season - and the semester - at PPG Paints!
Since the trade deadline is coming up, the interns have been busy getting everything ready for the plethora of scouts that have been coming to the games recently. Press row has been practically full for all of the games as of late.
We have also been helping Emma, the graduate assistant, with graphic critiques and stats for the Stadium Series, which is being played at Lincoln Financial Center in Philadelphia as I am typing this.
Other than the addition of the Stadium Series things, it was business as usual for the interns this week.
At the end of the 4-0 blowout that the Pens suffered against the Sharks last game, I got to experience a truly angry Sully post-game, which was equally scary and fun. It is so interesting to see the difference in atmosphere that occurs from a Pens win to a Pens shutout loss like that. (Although, I really hope we do not have to experience it again.)
Weird coincidence, but there are not any home Pens games during Point Park's spring break, so I get a little break from work for the next week.
I am definitely looking forward to finishing out the season - and the semester - at PPG Paints!
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Pittsburgh Penguins Internship - Week 5
This week was a pretty standard and short week for the interns.
After making credentials again the day before, the Pens came back home from their brief road trip for a game hosting the Carolina Hurricanes.
It was evident by the end of the second period that the Pens were not going to have a productive game, so the statistics were few and far between on our end.
My favorite of the game was that Matt Cullen played in his 1,487th career game, tying Wayne Gretzky for 22nd on the all-time list.
Another highlight of this week's game was that is was 80's Night. Dan Potash, famous for his over-the-top theme night looks, sported one of my Top 3 Favorite Potash looks of all time. He was an 80's punk rocker, complete with eyeliner, black lipstick, blue and black spiky hair, and a nose ring that connected to his ear.
There was not much to be seen on the ice, but behind the scenes was definitely exciting this week.
After making credentials again the day before, the Pens came back home from their brief road trip for a game hosting the Carolina Hurricanes.
It was evident by the end of the second period that the Pens were not going to have a productive game, so the statistics were few and far between on our end.
My favorite of the game was that Matt Cullen played in his 1,487th career game, tying Wayne Gretzky for 22nd on the all-time list.
Another highlight of this week's game was that is was 80's Night. Dan Potash, famous for his over-the-top theme night looks, sported one of my Top 3 Favorite Potash looks of all time. He was an 80's punk rocker, complete with eyeliner, black lipstick, blue and black spiky hair, and a nose ring that connected to his ear.
There was not much to be seen on the ice, but behind the scenes was definitely exciting this week.
Sunday, February 3, 2019
Pittsburgh Penguins Internship - Week 4
This week was a very busy one at PPG Paints Arena for me because I worked the games on Wednesday and Friday as well as served as the day-before intern on Tuesday and Thursday.
When being the day-before intern, you literally just go in the day before a game and prepare for the game that is coming up. For me, this meant making all of the media and scout credentials for Wednesday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Friday's game against the Ottawa Senators.
Game days are starting to get more routine for us interns now... we finally are starting to develop the rhythm that will take us through playoffs (assuming that the Pens will make it).
We rotate through a schedule of who goes down to the administrative entrance to hand out credentials at wha time and who gets to stay in the press box post-game to clean up after everyone leaves. We also have a better idea of what goes where and when. Overall, I think the four of us all get along and are actually friends in addition to coworkers, so we all work together well for the most part.
After this busy week, I can definitely say that I am getting more comfortable with our day to day duties and can confirm that I still love it as much as I did the first week that I started.
When being the day-before intern, you literally just go in the day before a game and prepare for the game that is coming up. For me, this meant making all of the media and scout credentials for Wednesday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Friday's game against the Ottawa Senators.
Game days are starting to get more routine for us interns now... we finally are starting to develop the rhythm that will take us through playoffs (assuming that the Pens will make it).
We rotate through a schedule of who goes down to the administrative entrance to hand out credentials at wha time and who gets to stay in the press box post-game to clean up after everyone leaves. We also have a better idea of what goes where and when. Overall, I think the four of us all get along and are actually friends in addition to coworkers, so we all work together well for the most part.
After this busy week, I can definitely say that I am getting more comfortable with our day to day duties and can confirm that I still love it as much as I did the first week that I started.
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Pittsburgh Penguins Internship - Week 3
This week was another with the Pens on the road, but the interns still went in on Tuesday for the Spring 2019 Internship Orientation breakfast.
Basically, this serves as a brief training course for all of the interns - throughout all of the different departments - since we are all now part of the organization.
We began in the RMU conference room for breakfast with executives from around the organization and a chance for networking with those executives from the different departments.
After breakfast, there was a session to teach us how to embody the Pens' mission and values. Basically, we learned that all departments focus first and foremost on service and bridging the gap between fans' expectations and the actual experience of the fan at the game.
Following the session, the interns went into the Pens locker room to get professional pictures taken for our websites/professional headshot and then we were free to take pictures with the locker nameplates that they had made for each of us.
Overall, this week was focused on training, but the Pens did so in an interesting way that brought all of the interns together from the different departments and it was actually a lot of fun.
Basically, this serves as a brief training course for all of the interns - throughout all of the different departments - since we are all now part of the organization.
We began in the RMU conference room for breakfast with executives from around the organization and a chance for networking with those executives from the different departments.
After breakfast, there was a session to teach us how to embody the Pens' mission and values. Basically, we learned that all departments focus first and foremost on service and bridging the gap between fans' expectations and the actual experience of the fan at the game.
Following the session, the interns went into the Pens locker room to get professional pictures taken for our websites/professional headshot and then we were free to take pictures with the locker nameplates that they had made for each of us.
Overall, this week was focused on training, but the Pens did so in an interesting way that brought all of the interns together from the different departments and it was actually a lot of fun.
Sunday, January 20, 2019
Pittsburgh Penguins Internship - Week 2
Of my three weeks at the Penguins, this past week has been my favorite so far - and there weren't even any games at home.
The Pens are on a VERY long road trip followed by the All-Star break, so things at PPG Paints Arena have been a little dull. (Cirque du Soleil is there right now though and some of the performers warm up by our office so that was pretty cool to see.)
Because of our long downtime, Jason and Emma (our boss and the GA) had us all come in when we were available this week for some office work and other things that the media relations world entails but aren't seen as often.
Thursday was definitely the most interesting day in the office so far. The interns that were there got to go through Sidney Crosby's fan mail and respond to it. There were kids who view Sid has their hero, moms writing on behalf of kids, birthday and wedding invitations, women who were in love with him, and people asking to have cards or other items signed.
My personal favorite came from Sid's former teacher who co-authored a children's book and fashioned a character after him.
Friday was my favorite day of the internship to date. Jason took the interns up to the club level and gave us the ins and outs of how to write media releases (specifically in the style that the Penguins do things obviously, but tips and tricks to take with us into our future endeavors). Following our rundown with Jason, he gave us a hypothetical situation to write a media release about. Then we emailed our releases to Jason and he gave us critiques and suggestions on how to make it better.
I love writing and doing things of the sort, so Friday was definitely on the top of my list for the internship so far.
The Pens are on a VERY long road trip followed by the All-Star break, so things at PPG Paints Arena have been a little dull. (Cirque du Soleil is there right now though and some of the performers warm up by our office so that was pretty cool to see.)
Because of our long downtime, Jason and Emma (our boss and the GA) had us all come in when we were available this week for some office work and other things that the media relations world entails but aren't seen as often.
Thursday was definitely the most interesting day in the office so far. The interns that were there got to go through Sidney Crosby's fan mail and respond to it. There were kids who view Sid has their hero, moms writing on behalf of kids, birthday and wedding invitations, women who were in love with him, and people asking to have cards or other items signed.
My personal favorite came from Sid's former teacher who co-authored a children's book and fashioned a character after him.
Friday was my favorite day of the internship to date. Jason took the interns up to the club level and gave us the ins and outs of how to write media releases (specifically in the style that the Penguins do things obviously, but tips and tricks to take with us into our future endeavors). Following our rundown with Jason, he gave us a hypothetical situation to write a media release about. Then we emailed our releases to Jason and he gave us critiques and suggestions on how to make it better.
I love writing and doing things of the sort, so Friday was definitely on the top of my list for the internship so far.
Sunday, January 13, 2019
Pittsburgh Penguins Internship - Week 1
My first week as a Media Relations Intern for the Pittsburgh Penguins was technically my second week as an intern - just the first week that we were not being trained and we were on our own for games.
There were four interns hired this semester: myself, another Allison (a Pitt student), JT (Pitt), and Chris, who is a graduate student from Michigan.
This week we only had one game, and it was the first that we were without the interns or game day staff training us on the game day activities that will be our duties for the rest of the season - it was also a 5-3 win against the Florida Panthers. (We are 2-1 as an internship class so far.)
We got the rundown on how to print stats, where to run them, which Pittsburgh media personnel and Penguins management to run them to first, how to take game notes and which stats to look up during the game, and how to get sound from the locker room post-game.
Overall, we will be doing a lot of learning over this week and next week to get into a groove, but for now, we will be waiting another two-ish weeks for the next home game by going in for an hour here or there and getting things ready for the span of games coming up.
This is basically my dream internship and I am so excited to see where it leads me in the future and what else we get to do this semester.
There were four interns hired this semester: myself, another Allison (a Pitt student), JT (Pitt), and Chris, who is a graduate student from Michigan.
This week we only had one game, and it was the first that we were without the interns or game day staff training us on the game day activities that will be our duties for the rest of the season - it was also a 5-3 win against the Florida Panthers. (We are 2-1 as an internship class so far.)
We got the rundown on how to print stats, where to run them, which Pittsburgh media personnel and Penguins management to run them to first, how to take game notes and which stats to look up during the game, and how to get sound from the locker room post-game.
Overall, we will be doing a lot of learning over this week and next week to get into a groove, but for now, we will be waiting another two-ish weeks for the next home game by going in for an hour here or there and getting things ready for the span of games coming up.
This is basically my dream internship and I am so excited to see where it leads me in the future and what else we get to do this semester.
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