Melissa Darusz is interning with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Every summer, hundreds of Calvin students scatter across the U.S. and around the world, researching, interning and exploring. This summer, some of these students are keeping us informed about their adventures. Next up: sophomore Melissa Darusz of Parma, Ohio, a kinesiology and sports management major at Calvin College. This summer, Melissa is interning with the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers.
Where are you?
Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland.
Why are you there?
Because of a ridiculous amount of networking, previous accomplishments and just the fact this position pertains to my major.
What's your typical day like?
I get up around 7, am out the door by 8, and then I sit in traffic for a solid 30 to 40 minutes and am at my desk around 8:50. I then go through my e-mail to see if there are any tasks I need to do by a certain time. I then go through the process of numbering purchase orders. My managers then fill the day with a number of administrative projects for me to do until I leave at 5:30.
What (technically) are you doing?
I am the corporate sourcing and administrative intern. I am highly involved on the front end of many of the accounting and financial transactions in every business sector of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Another thing that I am involved with is researching different companies throughout Cleveland that the Cavaliers would be interested in using as a vendor. An example is the Cavaliers have been working with a company in California for a certain product which would be much cheaper if purchased locally. Their main goal is to give back to Cleveland and work with different companies in the area. This is where sourcing comes in. I research different local companies and contact those certain companies to get quotes. Once I have contacted up to five or six different options, I compare all the companies and pitch the idea to my boss through excel spread sheets.
What (in layperson's terms) are you doing?
We work with all of the financials of the company.
How has Calvin prepared you for this?
Through various business classes I have taken and by my participation in the Knight Investment Management (KIM) club. KIM definitely prepared me by giving me the tools necessary for how to research and compare information effectively.
What has surprised you so far?
How much really goes into a business in order for it to be successful. The Cavaliers are actually ranked 27th in the United States for being the most effective with regards to utilizing social media as a corporation. Surprisingly, my job does not just deal with the Cavaliers, but also the Cleveland Gladiators, Lake Erie Monsters and the Canton Charge. Another thing that surprised me is the atmosphere working here. This was ranked the #1 most fun place to work in Cleveland. Everyone is super upbeat and loves their job. An added plus is they have ping-pong tables and X-boxes to play with in the office at break time, so that always makes work more fun.
How do you see this shaping your future?
I hope that I will end up working with the Cleveland Cavaliers full-time one day. If not here, then with another professional team. This job verified that I love sports, and I want to work in this environment for the rest of my life. It is also encouraging that I actually have the right major to get me there.
Best thing you've eaten?
They have a slushy machine in the office which is pretty good, and then a popcorn machine which tastes just like carnival popcorn. I may or may not be addicted.
What's gone wrong?
Crashing my car. Cleveland apparently is a happening place this summer because they are filming Captain America 2 downtown, so traffic is insane. Coming out of the parking garage I accidently hit another car. I promise I am a good driver though! This was the first time I have ever hit someone. Needless to say my parents weren't too thrilled.
Met anybody memorable?
I did get to personally meet Tristan Thompson, who is the starting forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers: biggest man ever! Another cool thing is that we get to meet the Cavaliers' draft picks. So, I'm pretty excited about that. Another person I didn't meet but got to see was Monique. She has been in a lot of well-known movies. So working this job you never really know who is going to come in the office. Every day is different, which makes this job amazing.
