From the Classroom to the Cricket Ground

We caught up with Sam, a Sports Journalism student at UA92, to hear about his experience completing an internship with Lancashire Cricket Club. Working as a Ticketing & Membership Intern, Sam gained an insight into the day-to-day operations of a professional sports organisation, from supporting members and selling tickets to experiencing the buzz of matchdays first-hand. He shares what attracted him to the opportunity, the skills he developed along the way, and how the experience has helped shape his future career aspirations.

What initially attracted you to apply for an internship at Lancashire Cricket Club?

Working at a huge club is something I am really interested in doing in the future, so it was great to be able to gain some valuable experience in the field. Also, I know that by involving myself in the world of sport, I’m opening up different avenues and opportunities, so I think I’ve benefitted massively from the internship.

Can you describe your role and the types of projects or tasks you worked on during your internship?

As a Ticketing & Membership Intern, I spent a lot of time liaising with members over the phone and via email with any queries they had throughout the season. I sold many new memberships and tickets for upcoming matches. On a matchday, I’d be in the Ticket Office cabin where match-goers can walk up to if they want to buy a ticket on the day.

What has been the highlight of your experience at Lancashire Cricket Club?

I think the matchdays were my favourite part and being able to see the work that we had done behind the scenes make an impact. Drawing in huge crowds for the International T20s and The Hundred was very satisfying to see.

What new skills or knowledge did you gain during your time with the club?

I definitely learnt to better my people-skills. Realising that every call matters to the members and remembering the importance of being eager to help. By the end, I really wanted every interaction between myself and a member to be a positive and memorable one.

How did the internship help you understand the sports industry and the day-to-day operations of a professional cricket club?

It broadened my mind on the amount of time, work and effort that goes into every day in preparation for the matchdays. I was able to see not just the Ticketing side of the club, but also Partnerships, Events, Hospitality, and the Media side, and how they all work together to achieve the same goal – a successful matchday for the fans, players, and partners.

Were there any challenges you faced during the internship, and how did you overcome them?

The most challenging part is probably on the phone. For example, when a member is asking something that you don’t know the answer to, I learnt not to be afraid to put them on hold and ask someone else in the team for support, rather than just struggle myself. Also, if a member is angry on the phone, it can sometimes be hard to calm them down but it’s important not to escalate the issue and keep a calming presence about yourself.

How has this internship influenced your future career aspirations?

This internship has opened my mind a lot and now has me considering a career in ticketing. I was originally very focused on working on the media side of sport, which I still have a strong interest in, but having enjoyed this job so much, I am happy to look at other avenues as well.

What advice would you give to other students considering an internship?

My advice to anyone considering an internship is just to go for it! Go for it, be confident and talkative. Even if you think you might not be experienced enough in the area – everyone is so happy to support you and a lot of it is about your character rather than the skills you have. As long as you are eager to learn and also bring value in a day-to-day working environment through camaraderie, then people will get on with you and see you as an important asset to the team.

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