My Time as a Recruiting Intern at UNC Football
A Little Backstory
Upon my graduation in May from UNC-Chapel Hill, I have wondered how should I market the many different jobs and activities that I found myself in over the years. After all, I have gained experience in very different, and conflicting, industries.
Starting as an intended Spanish education major at NC State University, then rolling into the pre-nursing track at UNC-Chapel Hill, and after one too many bad grades in my anatomy classes, I decided that Hussman School of Media and Journalism was the best fit for me.
It’s funny to think that my resume could list both a Microbiology lab and a UX/UI Apprenticeship on the same page. Life has been a wild ride, and I’ve just been along for the journey, figuring out where I belong. I can’t say I’ve fully discovered my God-given purpose yet — but isn’t that the exciting part?
The One Constant
Through all of the career shifts, one constant has been my internship with UNC Football, where I’ve been able to serve as a Student Office Assistant in Recruitment Operations for nearly three years.
Whether it be early morning practices or late nights after 6 PM kickoffs, this internship has molded me into the woman that I am both personally and professionally. It might've not been sunshine and rainbows every day, but it gave me a community of incredibly talented and hardworking individuals to lean on and forever cheer for going forward.
When tasked to summarize what I did in my role, I have a hard time narrowing it down due to how multifaceted this role required us to be. From organizing and setting up unofficial visit events, to learning how to maximize the inventory process, or even needing to memorize how one prospective player may spell their super niche nickname, now, multiply that by about 10 or so.
Postcards on Postcards
After spending as much time in the program as I did, I naturally discovered my strengths (and let’s just say, formatting Microsoft label mail blasts wasn’t one of them). With my love for drawing, fonts, and colors, I quickly became the go-to person for designing the handwritten postcards we sent to prospective players each week. It may sound incredibly elementary, but in reality, it required a mix of project management skills, creativity, and an absurd amount of patience.
During the 2024-2025 season, nearly every postcard was handwritten, hand-drawn, and (for the most part) designed by yours truly. I can’t take all the credit, though — eventually a system was implemented where other interns helped replicate the cards. But before that, I spent upwards of five hours a week hunched over on my bed, watching Gilmore Girls, and meticulously sketching each intricate design. Some weeks, we sent out over 150+ cards.
While this definitely sharpened my calligraphy and doodling skills, it also pushed me to develop a kind of mental endurance I had never practiced before. Moreover, it taught me exactly how far passion will take you. I could've easily just wrote the prospective player's name and doodled a little tar heel with "go heels!" quickly scribbled next to it, slapped a crooked label on it (iykyk), and then sent it out. However, I knew that my product, while minuscule, is a direct reflection of the effort and time that our program was willing to place into a player.
Romanticizing Registration
Moreover, during my time in the program, I was entrusted with being one of the first points of contact during the registration process at unofficial visit events. From my very first game as a game day assistant, I was given the responsibility of making a strong first impression —one that would set the tone for every interaction the prospective player had throughout the day.
As I moved up the ranks, I became the go-to person for handling guests without prepared credentials — whether due to a miscommunication or an error. This role was instrumental in developing my hospitality skills and teaching me the importance of a human-centered approach to conversations. While I could have kept interactions strictly transactional, I found that making each person feel genuinely welcomed set the tone for a positive and uplifting experience throughout the day.
I also got some amazing stories of how far a player has gone or how hard their family members/coaching staff had worked to get them where they are today. Such an inspiring role!
Who I Owe My Success To
While I have since decided to take a career break for my senior spring semester to really enjoy my final moments in Chapel Hill, I still am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have worked for the program. This role gave me the ability to truly appreciate my superiors' humanity and vulnerability as I had a front-row seat to watching them navigate their roles. This job is anything but easy — it demands incredible grit, patience, and adaptability. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from Molly Jacoby, Jessica Hryn, Erynn Love, Heather Holt, and Alex White, witnessing firsthand the dedication and effort it takes to keep everything running smoothly.
This job also taught me that hard work pays off and I saw that reflected in the incredible work ethic of our analysts both past and present, I'll try to name a few: Ryan Roberts, Mk Collins (girl power!!), Guillaume Boyer Nalda, Boris Crnjak, Samuel Rice, Jackson Krider, Matthew Kupec, Graham Bryant, Dejure Bledsoe, Quentin Smith, Sam Goetz, and Donovan Lahmann. As well as their superiors, Julian M. Rowe-Cohen and Daniel Bernstein. These individuals work tirelessly nearly every day of the week, inspired by pure passion and love for the game.
Finally, I am beyond thankful to have worked alongside some amazing fellow interns during my time at UNC Football. These women are beyond inspiring and are the definition of the relentless pursuit of success, stopping at nothing to ensure a job is well done. I cannot wait to see all that these women do: Abigail Fortner, Anna Laws, Peyton Brooks, Sydnie Rice, Sidney Griffin, Meghan Bartlett, Stephanie Olvera, Zoey Locklear, Emma Stone, Lily Rosenberg, and Caroline Landry — to think there are MANY more! I am just so excited for the future of women in sports...
Moving Forward
Through all the twists and turns of my academic and professional journey, I’ve learned that adaptability, passion, and attention to detail are the cornerstones of meaningful work. Whether it was pivoting from Spanish education to nursing, then finding my place in media and journalism, or balancing roles in vastly different industries, I’ve realized that every experience, no matter how unrelated it may seem, has shaped my ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and embrace challenges with confidence.
My time with UNC Football, in particular, has reinforced the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and taking pride in the smallest details. From ensuring every guest felt welcomed at recruiting events to meticulously designing postcards that reflected the program’s dedication, I’ve seen firsthand how the little things can leave the biggest impact.
Above all, I’ve learned that success isn’t about having a perfectly linear path — it’s about showing up, putting in the work, and trusting that every step, even the unexpected ones, are leading me exactly where I’m meant to be.