Career Experiences
Experience the workplace outside of the NFL to enhance your future career potential.
Participate in Career Experiences (formerly known as Externship) to explore industries such as TV broadcasting, business, technology, nonprofits, media, collegiate athletics and more! Experiences consist of networking, job shadowing, project work and an overall introduction to the work the organization does and what it takes to be successful in that respective industry.
Applications are now open!
2025 Career Experiences
PARTNER: AthLife
INDUSTRY: Athlete Development
LOCATION: Virtual
DATES: Flexible
At AthLife, we educate, develop, and empower athletes so they can meet and exceed their career, academic, and professional development goals once they transition beyond their successes on the courts, rink, or the fields. Our team of certified career and education advisors provide 1:1 advising to professional and post-professional athletes. Established in 2004, AthLife, Inc. is a privately owned company that holds service contracts with many sports and entertainment properties including the NBA & G League, NFLPA, The Trust (powered by the NFLPA), National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, Major League Soccer Players Association, and National Basketball Retired Players Association.
PARTNER: Brandgenuity & Licensing International
INDUSTRY: Business, Licensing
LOCATION: Combination of Virtual & In-Person (Las Vegas, NV)
DATES: This experience is closed for 2024
Brand licensing – when a brand owner extends its brand into products and services by partnering with a third party – is big business! Brandgenuity is a leading global licensing agency whose clients include NFL Players Association, BMW, White Castle, Mike’s Hot Honey, Fireball Whisky, Buffalo Trace and many others. This one-of-a-kind experience, combines in-person attendance at the industry’s largest trade show, Licensing Expo, in Las Vegas with virtual prep and follow-up before and after the show.
PARTNER: Blue Wire Podcasts
INDUSTRY: Media
LOCATION: Virtual
DATES: Flexible dependent on player(s)
Blue Wire is the driving force behind a network of podcasts created by passionate fans, providing sales and other support so that independent podcasts can thrive and creators can get paid. Built upon community, authenticity, and hustle, Blue Wire is trusted by World Class Athletes to grow their audio platform and expand their influence. Interested in media and podcasting? This opportunity is right for you. Learn more about Blue Wire here.
PARTNER: Events DC
INDUSTRY: Event Management, Government Relations, Marketing & Communications
LOCATION: Virtual
DATES: Flexible
Events DC is the premier host of conventions, entertainment, sporting and cultural events in the nation’s capital. We've been integral in bringing large-scale events to Washington, DC to generate economic impact for residents including MLS All-Star, Army Navy 2024 and more.
PARTNER: Electronic Arts (EA)
INDUSTRY: Technology, Digital Entertainment, Gaming
LOCATION: Virtual
DATES: This experience is closed for 2024
EA is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. We develop and deliver games, content, and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices, and personal computers. Through our cutting-edge games, innovative services, and powerful technologies, we bring worlds with infinite possibilities to nearly 600 million active players and fans around the globe.
PARTNER: Fanatics
INDUSTRY: Business Management, Marketing, Product Development
LOCATION: New York City, NY
DATES: This experience is closed for 2024
Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. The company ignites the passions of global sports fans and maximizes the presence and reach for hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans, a global partner network with over 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, teams, players associations, athletes, celebrities, colleges, and college conferences, and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail business stores.
PARTNER: Financial Finesse
INDUSTRY: Financial Services, Financial Coaching & Education, Holistic Wellness
LOCATION: Virtual
DATES: This experience is closed for 2024
Are you interested in a future career in the financial industry or want to learn how to improve your own financial IQ? As the official Financial Wellness partner of the NFLPA, Financial Finesse provides current and former NFL players with guidance to help them reach their financial goals.
Opportunities for NFL players are out there, but only the prepared will be able to take advantage. During this experience, you will work alongside our Certified Financial Planners to help you build your own financial plan, learn how to grow your wealth and understand what it takes to have your own career as a financial professional after football.
PARTNER: Forbes Tate Partners
INDUSTRY: Legislation, Policy, Public Affairs
LOCATION: Combination of Virtual & In-Person (Washington, DC)
DATES: This experience is closed for 2024
Forbes Tate Partners is a government and public affairs consulting firm that provides bipartisan government and public affairs services. This experience introduces players to lobbying, public relations, grassroots advocacy, and full-scale campaign development. Be prepared to develop your analytical skills, written/oral communication, and creativity!
PARTNER: FOX Sports
INDUSTRY: TV Broadcasting, Production, Media
LOCATION: Los Angeles, CA
DATES: This experience is closed for 2024
FOX Sports, the industry leader in live events, is the umbrella entity representing Fox Corporation’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Network; FS1, FS2, FOX Soccer Plus and FOX Deportes, as well as a joint-venture business in the Big Ten Network and digital properties including FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App. FOX Sports has delivered the most watched television program, NFL’s America’s Game of the Week on FOX, for fourteen consecutive years.
PARTNER: Georgia Tech Athletic Department
INDUSTRY: Athletic Administration, Student-Athlete Development, Program Management
LOCATION: Atlanta, GA or virtual
DATES: Flexible
Georgia Tech Athletics is a Division I institution and member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) with 17 varsity sports that compete at the highest level of NCAA competition. Job experience within GT Athletics would offer exposure to the internal and external operations, including marketing, game day operations, recruiting, student-athlete development, sponsorship and licensing, and working with various units and facilities.
PARTNER: International Justice Mission (IJM)
INDUSTRY: Non-Profit Management, Anti-Trafficking, International Development
LOCATION: Virtual
DATES: This experience is closed for 2024
International Justice Mission (IJM) is a global organization that partners with local justice systems to end violence against people living in poverty. We
- Rescue survivors of trafficking and violence and walk with them to restoration
- Bring criminals to justice so they can’t abuse or enslave others
- Strengthen justice systems by mentoring and supporting partners to stop the cycle of violence
Based near Washington, DC, IJM works in 28 countries. We’re on a mission to protect 500 million people by 2030 -- join us!
PARTNER: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
INDUSTRY: Technology Transfer, Licensing, NASA Technology Commercialization
LOCATION: Merritt Island, FL
DATES: This experience is closed for 2024
This in-person training camp, held at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and hosted by Goddard Space Flight Center, Glenn Research Center, Johnson Space Center, and Kennedy Space Center, will have a wealth of knowledge available regardless of the participant’s technical background. Workshop attendees need only to bring their imagination and curiosity to the table, prepared to identify NASA solutions to problems they aim to solve on a commercial scale. NASA hopes this workshop will lead to unique uses and commercial applications of NASA technology.
PARTNER: NASA Engineering, Kennedy Space Center
INDUSTRY: Engineering, Tech, Research
LOCATION: Merritt Island, FL
DATES: Flexible
Florida, we are Go for launch! Kennedy Space Flight Center is America’s hub for Government and Commercial space launch activity. With launch providers spanning from NASA to SpaceX, to Boeing, to Blue Origin, to United Launch Alliance to Northrop Grumman, Florida’s Space Coast is busting with rocket launches to low-earth orbit and beyond! This experience will allow you the opportunity to have up-close exposure to rocket science, technology development, innovation, commercial partnership and science and research. Our goal is to provide tools that will foster the spirit of networking, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
PARTNER: Next Legacy Partners
INDUSTRY: Venture Capital
LOCATION: Palo Alto, CA
DATES: This experience is closed for 2024
Next Legacy Partners is an investment platform structured to provide specialized investors access to venture capital through integrated exposure to venture funds and venture-backed companies. We are on a mission to amplify the impact of our diverse community of philanthropists, athletes, cultural luminaries, venture capitalists, and founders through outsized venture returns.
We democratize access to venture capital for our investors through three core products that back highly sought-after early-stage venture capital firms and promising startups, but it doesn’t stop there. We tap the various aspects of our community to learn from and with one another, building relationships throughout our ecosystem that unleash resources, connections, and talents to maximize impact for the greater good.
PARTNER: NFL Players Inc.
INDUSTRY: Business Development, Marketing, Licensing
LOCATION: Washington, DC or virtual
DATES: Flexible
NFL Players Inc., the licensing and marketing arm of the NFLPA, connects businesses to the power of NFL players. NFL Players Inc. creates customized business solutions for partners, through licensing, marketing strategy and player activations. You will see how we work tirelessly to make you and your teammates as recognizable and appealing to your fan bases off the field as you are on it. You’ll gain experience within each of the following teams – Business & Legal Affairs, Marketing, Licensing, Partner Services, and Player Services.
PARTNER: Old Dominion University Athletics
INDUSTRY: Athletic Administration, Athlete Development
LOCATION: Norfolk, VA or virtual
DATES:This experience is closed for 2024
At ODU Athletics, we are dedicated to fostering a culture of sportsmanship, excellence, and teamwork. As the home of the Old Dominion University Monarchs, we provide a platform for student-athletes to showcase their talents in various sports while promoting the values of integrity and commitment. Join us in celebrating the spirit of competition and supporting our Monarchs on their journey to success both on and off the field.
PARTNER: The Players' Tribune
INDUSTRY: New Media, Journalism, Marketing
LOCATION: New York City
DATE: This experience is closed for 2024
The Players’ Tribune is a first-of-its-kind content platform, developed by athletes for athletes to give them the tools to create their own content and tell their personal stories. With the goal of involving and immersing players in the process of running the operation, TPT has created the Players’ Internship Program, which gives participants an opportunity to learn about how a digital content company fits into the global sports industry.
Designed to be customizable, the experience not only allows participants to work with all departments and teams at TPT, but it also lets athletes tailor their experience to fit their interests and career aspirations. The hope is that athletes will learn more about themselves and their skill sets, while also opening the door to future internships and/or employment opportunities with TPT and its partners.
PARTNER: Samsung Electronics
INDUSTRY: Technology
LOCATION: Virtual & Washington, DC
DATES: Flexible
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, home appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions, and delivering a seamless connected experience through its SmartThings ecosystem and open collaboration with partners.
PARTNER: UNINTERRUPTED
INDUSTRY: Media, Business
LOCATION: Los Angeles, CA
DATES: This experience is closed for 2024
UNINTERRUPTED is the brand by athletes for athletes. We empower athletes to be "more than" by telling their authentic stories without interruption.
PARTNER: University of Virginia Athletic Department
INDUSTRY: Athletic Administration, Student-Athlete Development, Program Management
LOCATION: Charlottesville, VA or virtual
DATES: Flexible
Get hands-on experience with the day-to-day operations of an Atlantic Coast Conference athletic department at the University of Virginia. Experience several different aspects of the department including game operations, facilities management, student-athlete development, fundraising, marketing, finance, business operations and compliance. If you have excellent written and oral communication skills, creativity and positive energy, UVA could be the place for you.
PARTNER: Zebra Technologies
INDUSTRY: Tech
LOCATION: Lincolnshire, IL
DATES: This experience is closed for 2024
Zebra (NASDAQ: ZBRA) helps organizations monitor, anticipate, and accelerate workflows by empowering their frontline and ensuring that everyone and everything is visible, connected and fully optimized. Our award-winning portfolio spans software to innovations in robotics, machine vision, automation and digital decisioning, all backed by a +50-year legacy in scanning, track-and-trace and mobile computing solutions. With an ecosystem of 10,000 partners across more than 100 countries, Zebra’s customers include over 80% of the Fortune 500. Newsweek recently recognized Zebra as one of America’s Most Loved Workplaces and Greatest Workplaces for Diversity, and we are on Fast Company’s list of the Best Workplaces for Innovators.
Interested in hosting a Career Experience for players and becoming a Career Development Partner? Check out our Partner Page for more information.