Samantha Winterman '26 Event Operations Intern

Samantha Winterman '26 (Business Management & Entrepreneurship) is a summer intern at Harris county - Houston Sports Authority in Houston, TX

I found this internship opportunity through TeamWorkOnline, a professional network similar to LinkedIn but specifically for jobs within the sports and entertainment industry. After submitting my application, cover letter, and resume through the platform, I had a phone interview followed by a Teams interview.

What is a typical day like? 
Our day-to-day schedule varies quite a bit, since the company is a small, tight-knit government entity. As interns, we’re included in most meetings, whether it’s weekly operations meetings, specific site meetings, or larger board of director meetings. In addition, we conduct site visits and work closely with security teams and other departments. For example, I’m one of the lead interns for the track and field events being hosted by the AAU Junior Olympics here in Houston this summer. Part of my role involves on-site visits at the track with security, police, and AAU representatives to ensure everything runs smoothly. The AAU Junior Olympic Games will take place from June 25 to August 3, during which time I’ll be staying at a hotel near the event site.

What has been your favorite part of the experience?
My favorite part of the experience has been feeling like I’ve been able to make a meaningful impact in the community I grew up in. On June 23rd, we hosted Olympic and Paralympic Day, where we partnered with the kids of ReVision to introduce them to sports they might not otherwise have access to. Houston Sports Authority brought together Olympians and Paralympians to help run stations for the kids—including gymnastics, track and field, breaking, and even bobsledding. The mission of Houston ReVision is to break the cycle of juvenile justice involvement and homelessness among youth in Harris County, and events like Olympic and Paralympic Day help support that mission by encouraging opportunities for artistic and athletic expression. On top of this I also had the opportunity to be involved in some of the events leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With 7 games being hosted in Houston, the city is beginning to buzz with anything FIFA related. Getting to attend the FIFA year out event was one of the most memorable\ experiences I've had in my career so far and I hope to return to Texas for some of the games!

If you are working on a big project, please describe it: 
We’re currently in the final stages of preparing for the AAU Junior Olympic Games, making sure everything is operationally ready. I’m specifically in charge of the track and field portion of the event, as well as the Celebration of Athletes. We’re expecting over 13,000 athletes ranging in age from 8 & under to 18. Coordinating an event of this scale presents operational challenges, but after conducting multiple site visits and continuously revisiting fencing, signage, and parking plans as a team, we’re excited to get the ball rolling!

What advice do you have for future students with a similar interest? 

Don’t be afraid to try something that may not interest you at first. Before this internship, event operations wasn’t even on my radar—I always thought I wanted to focus on management or marketing. However, after learning more about everything Houston Sports Authority does for the community, I was immediately intrigued and decided to apply. Not only do I get to give back to the community I grew up in, but I’m also gaining insight into a department I likely wouldn’t have considered otherwise. Operations can definitely be challenging, but one thing I’ve learned—especially in sports—is that every organization handles operations differently. So don’t hesitate to step outside your comfort zone and explore new opportunities!

How did Eller prepare you for this experience? 

Eller prepared me in a variety of ways—from maintaining professionalism in and out of the office, to using Excel to make my work more accurate and valuable, to building overall confidence in a professional setting. At Houston Sports Authority, we’re seen as more than just interns—we’re viewed as coworkers. We’re expected to attend important meetings and contribute when we have something to say. They don’t want us to just be a body in the room—they want us to add value and help drive the growth of the organization. As interns, we’re tasked with responsibilities like calculating and ordering event signage, leading segments in meetings, and taking initiative on key tasks. Without the preparation and support from Eller, I don’t think I’d have the confidence I do now in this role.