The following was written by Devin VanZanten, who is on the UGA Equestrian team. She is studying Sport Management and had the opportunity to participate in an internship with Nike, Inc. this summer.
This summer, I had the opportunity to spend ten weeks at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, as a North America Brand Marketing Intern within the Nike Sportswear department. It was an experience that challenged me, helped me grow, and gave me memories and lessons I’ll carry with me long after this summer.
Throughout the summer, I worked on several projects across Nike Sportswear. My work ranged from researching creators and consumer insights to helping develop marketing strategies and supporting brand activations. One of the highlights was traveling to Chicago to help with Nike’s WNBA All-Star Weekend events, where I got to see firsthand how much planning and collaboration go into creating an athlete experience. That trip also gave me the chance to explore Chicago, spend more time with my team outside the office, and build even stronger relationships while experiencing an unforgettable week together!
While the projects were exciting, what stood out most was the people. Everyone on my team was willing to answer questions, share advice, and help me grow. As an intern, it’s easy to feel like you have to prove yourself, but my manager, mentors, and teammates encouraged me to speak up, contribute ideas, and take ownership of my work. That support helped me become much more confident over the course of the summer.
Outside of just working, I made it a goal to meet as many people as I could. Some of the most valuable parts of the internship came from one-on-one conversations with employees across the company. Hearing about their career paths and learning from their experiences gave me a better understanding of the many opportunities within Nike and the sports industry. I also met an incredible group of fellow interns who quickly became friends. Getting to explore Portland and experience the summer alongside them made the internship even more meaningful.
Looking back, this internship was about much more than spending a summer at Nike. It gave me confidence in my abilities and helped me grow professionally. I’m incredibly grateful to Nike for the opportunity and to The Georgia Way for the support and encouragement throughout the process. Their guidance helped make this experience possible!
