Name: Meagan Blaier
Hometown: Marlboro, New Jersey
Year: Sophomore
Major: Communications
Every game day, thousands of students crowd Byrd Stadium to get a good seat to cheer on the Maryland Terrapins. However, perhaps the student with the best view is Meagan Blaier. This semester the sophomore communications major has an on-field view as this aspiring fashion buyer interns with Maryland Sports Properties.
What are your future career aspirations?
I want to be a buyer for Bloomingdales. I really like fashion and I think it would be cool to pick out the clothes that people are going to be wearing and I could see what trends are going out before everyone else and pick out everything. I also want to be a personal stylist because I like picking out outfits and putting things together. My family friend owns a clothing store and I grew up with her and she gives me really good advice to make it in the fashion world and she inspires me.
Have you had any internship experience to help with your future career plans?
I am interning at Maryland Sports Properties this semester. I do paperwork and I organize photos from the games and I sometimes help them come up with marketing proposals. I also help come up with a sales pitch presentation for potential sponsors. It is helping me get a sense of working in the real business world and working together with people and it is helping me meet deadlines and it makes me realize I am not working for myself, I am working for an actual company. It encourages me to do even better and work harder. It is teaching me a lot about business and marketing and catering to your target audience. When I hope to be a buyer for Bloomingdales I will have to be able to connect to the target audience.
What do you enjoy most about your internship?
On game day I get to host the tailgate for our corporate sponsors and it is cool to be able to put a face to the companies. Also, I get to meet people from such big companies. I really like that during game day I get to work the suite and we help make sure sponsors are having a good time at the game. It’s fun to see all the work that goes behind creating the free shirts the students get, picking who gets the game ball, and the Capital One giveaway at the games.
How did you get this internship?
I got a listserv from the Arts & Humanities school about internships so I sent my resume and cover letter to one of the recruiters. I had multiple phone interviews and was offered the position.
How do you balance your internship and school?
I work better under pressure and when I have a busy schedule. Since I know I have work on set days and I know when my assignments are due I make schedules so I can stay on top of everything. I also prioritize my assignments and make sure that my other activities that I am doing besides school and my internship don’t conflict with that I am doing.