University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Why an internship at the University of Pennsylvania

• World-class institution with extensive collaborative opportunities
• Work within a Sports Performance Department that serves as a ‘Team Around the Team’ for all coaches and student-athletes
• Holistic experience (1 facility, 33 teams, 6 S&C coaches with over 60 years of combined experience)
• Integrated use of technology and applied research
• A commitment to education, empowerment/autonomy, and growth of staff, interns, and student-athletes
• Internship Coordinator leads education curriculum and weekly meetings that are focused on practical application
• Participation in all Strength and Conditioning staff meetings

 
Internship opportunities

• Track 1 – Football
  • Assist Head of Football Performance in all aspects of training program
  • Learn all details of program design and coaching
• Track 2 – Olympic Sports
  • Assist Strength and Conditioning staff in all aspects of training for 32 teams
  • Learn all details of program design and coaching
• Additional Opportunities (if interested and proficient in areas)
  • Applied Research/Sports Science
    • Learn how to use the various pieces of technology within the program
    • Work closely with the Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning to
      • Effectively utilize the large amount of data acquired to aid decision making
      • Conduct applied research that moves our program forward
      • Determine the most efficient and effective process for data acquisition and utilization
  • Administration (Graduate students only)
    • Work closely with the Director of Strength and Conditioning on administrative aspects of the program, including but not limited to
      • Budget creation and maintenance
      • Facility design and upkeep
      • Collaboration with sport coaches and Sports Performance team
      • Culture enhancement
  • Approved location for NSCA Foundation Assistantship

 
Expectations of intern

• Be professional - there is a strict standard of respect for self, staff, student-athletes, program, and facility. If this is not met, immediate termination of internship will occur.
• Be consistent – schedule, punctuality, positive energy, commitment to support of staff and student-athletes
• Communicate – ask questions, respectfully share feedback, assist coaches when providing instructions
• Invest – time, energy, body, and mind
• Be humble & open-minded - know what you don’t know and be diligent on filling that gap. Commit to self-education on own time.
• Be flexible with assignments and responsibilities
• Take initiative – don’t wait to act. Learn how staff thinks and what program needs. Provide new ideas.
• Be realistic – the educational opportunities will be relative to time and effort spent in the program

 
Expectations of University of Pennsylvania

• Provide an environment where respect of interns by staff and student-athletes is a baseline standard
• Provide an opportunity to learn through observation and action

 
Internship Objectives

• Learn Sports Performance and Strength & Conditioning mission, core values, expectations, philosophy
• Learn terminology
• Learn technique for main exercises and how to spot properly
• Ensure exercise and room safety
• Learn program design: why, what, how
• Learn soft skills of coaching: relate to individuals and groups
  • General demeanor
  • Relationship building
  • Effective cueing
  • Managing large groups
• Assist in day-to-day operations
  • Set up, break down, cleaning, organization
  • Movement assessments
  • TeamBuildr input
  • Velocity tracking device set-up
  • Aid decision making process through data gathering and monitoring along with communication
• Assist with TeamBuildr (workout management software)
  • Manage exercises and users
  • Programming input
  • Data cleaning
  • Report generation
• Other duties as assigned by the Strength and Conditioning staff

 
Send the following to below address:

• Materials:
  1. Cover Letter, including
     1. Why you are interested in this opportunity at Penn and for what track (Football or Olympic sports)
     2. What makes you unique and qualified for this position
     3. Your future goals, including if you have interest in Applied Research/Sports Science or Administration
     4. Your availability and time interests (minimum of 15 hours/week)
  2. Resume with contact information
  3. List three (3) professional or academic references
• Send to (email or mail):

Christina Bernal – Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach
Dunning Coaches’ Center
231 South 33rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104