Katherine Milliken: Miami Dolphins Manager of Member Events & Brand Impact

Katherine Milliken, Manager of Member Events & Brand Impact, for the Miami Dolphins talks about the culture of the organization. 

1. How important is it for students to understand and accept their role as interns with an organization.

I think working internships are a huge advantage for the student as well as the organization. The students get the benefit of learning the sports industry while at the same time evaluating which aspects they like the best.

I started myself as an intern at the Dolphins so I can attest to digging in and getting your hands dirty to make an impression. I loved my internship, so that reaffirmed my desire to stay in sports entertainment, more specifically the NFL.

I cannot say the same about other internships, I have had–some steer me away from certain portions of the industry. From the organizational side, internships are a great way to develop workers and test their tolerance. Most interns have the skills needed to do the job and potentially secure a full-time position, but not everyone is cut out for the sports industry–lots of long hours, nights and weekends.

2. What impresses you on a resume from someone who is applying for a career in this field?

COMPOSITION! GRAMMAR! SPELL CHECK! Nothing turns me off a candidate more than spelling errors or incoherent sentences. Always make sure your resume is clean and easy to read, no crazy fonts, please. Also, try to keep it at one page, two if you have a cover letter. Highlighting your experience and key strengths are what is going to catch the eye of someone hiring– not that your skills are generalities like “works well with people” or your hobby is skateboarding.

3. What do you know now that you wish you knew when entering the sports industry?

How much people in the industry talk! You would not believe how many candidates get hired just off word of mouth and on the same token how many people do not get hired for the same reason. Teams post jobs and interview, but most times the person that gets hired is someone they already know; that is why getting your foot in the door is so important.

When students or interns ask me about how to work in sports, my answer is always “its all about who you know, then what you know.” Go out there and volunteer, work a seasonal position, take a sports management class! Stay within your realm of interest, but do not be too picky about the work you do while volunteering or during an internship. If someone sees you working hard, they appreciate it because we all worked hard to get to where we are as well.

It is those personal connections you make while getting the mundane tasks done that go the longest way in getting hired for the job you want.

4. What can you tell me about the company’s culture?

Our company culture is unlike any other place I have ever worked. There is a strong sense of teamwork. When working for a sports team, you are all in it together–win, lose or draw–so when problems arise it is in everyone’s best interest to solve them. It also does not hurt that what we do is exciting. There is nothing better than a Dolphins win…it makes that 12 hour work day worth it.