Ryan Summerlin, a senior sport management major at Wichita State University, spent his summer as a Sport Management Intern at Ballparks of America in Branson, Missouri. His internship provided an immersive experience in various aspects of the sport industry, from event management and public relations to facility maintenance and crisis management.

Ryan's responsibilities included hosting week-long tournaments for competitive youth baseball teams from across the globe, including the prestigious 12 and 16u Cal Ripken World Series, which brought together 19 international teams and 20 American teams. This gave him a chance to see firsthand how large-scale sports events are organized and managed.

One of the highlights of his experience was the network he built with fellow interns and the Ballparks staff, many of whom came from across the nation. "I made life-long connections with interns in every department and the staff," Ryan shared. He believes this experience will benefit WSU students and recommends the opportunity due to its location, the professional staff, and the chance to connect with peers from all over.

Balancing his full-time role with course credit, Ryan's internship demonstrated how applied learning can prepare students for their careers, blending practical experience with academic growth.

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Wichita State's applied learning program gives students hands-on, paid experience with industry partners, helping them build careers before graduation.

For more information, contact the Shocker Career Accelerator at (316) 978-3688, SCA@wichita.edu, or visit wichita.edu/Career. You can also stop by in person at the Marcus Welcome Center, Suite 139, on the Wichita State campus.