Internships
During the entire length of the program [three (3) terms], all students will complete a sports science internship experience with a designated sports team or organization and will also have access to the Sports Medicine and Nutrition research facilities and faculty.
The practicum offers students the opportunity to apply their knowledge of sports science, strength and conditioning, and athlete testing/monitoring in a performance setting. This involves planned learning experiences with an athletic team at various stages of the training program and season. Students will have the opportunity to observe and then model the functions of a performance specialist. Through the combination of planned learning activities and professional interaction, the students will gain an increasing level of proficiency in providing and evaluating comprehensive training to athletes and teams within the athletic setting.
Internship Placement Process
The Sports Science program will find and place students in an internship for the required practicum of the program.
Applicants will note their internship preferences in their application for the Sports Science program. In addition to the personal statement for the application, students will submit a document listing their top four internship placements and why they selected them.
Once students are admitted to the program and have accepted their seat, the program will start to reach out and coordinate interviews as part of the application process and to help determine what the final internship placement may be for the student.
The timeline may vary but typically interviews will take place as early as the first two weeks of May and placement decisions will be made by June. Students are encouraged to apply early if they are interested in a specific internship.
The start of the internship depends on the team or location. For example, if placed with a fall sports team (e.g., football, soccer or volleyball), internships may start as early as July, compared to others that would start during the traditional fall semester. Internships may last through to the following summer term (to Practicum III). See the curriculum page for more information.
Available Internships
Internship availability may vary by year. If you are interested in an internship that is not listed below, please reach out to Program Director Tim Suchomel.
Pitt Football (2 interns)
Successful applicants should have a strong desire to pursue a career in the field of strength & conditioning and/or sports science. Volunteers will gain valuable strength & conditioning experience at a Division I program, chance to earn hours beyond program’s requirements and have the opportunity to earn recommendations for future career opportunities.
Responsibilities:
- Assist in daily operation of team’s sport science equipment including but not limited to: Catapult GPS & ClearSky, Polar HR and Hawkin Dynamics force plates
- Data collection
- Database management
- Other duties as assigned
Required:
- Acceptance to the Sports Science MS Program
- Ability to work early mornings and weekends
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification (training can be provided)
Preferred Qualifications/Experience:
- Previous football experience
- Currently hold industry certification, preferably CSCCa – SCCC or NSCA – CSCS
- Experience with or basic knowledge of the following programs: Catapult Openfield, Hawkin Dynamics cloud, Velocity-based training tools, Athlete management systems (e.g., Kinduct or Smartabase)
- Experience with or a desire to learn R and Tableau for data visualization and reporting
Pitt Men's Basketball (1 intern)
Successful applicants should have a strong desire to pursue a career in the field of strength & conditioning and/or sports science. Students will gain valuable strength & conditioning experience at a Division I program, chance to earn hours beyond the program’s requirements and have the opportunity to earn recommendations for future career opportunities.
Responsibilities:
- Assisting with the implementation of strength & conditioning programs for Men’s Basketball
- Weight room/equipment maintenance and set up
- Daily operation of the team’s Catapult technology and sports science equipment
- Other duties as assigned
Required:
- Acceptance to the Sports Science MS Program
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification (training can be provided)
Preferred Qualifications/Experience:
- Previous experience in collegiate athletics
- Currently hold industry certification, preferably CSCCa – SCCC or NSCA – CSCS
- Experience with or basic knowledge of the following programs: Catapult, Polar, Force Plates, Velocity-based training tools (GymAware), Data collection in Excel
- Experience with or a desire to learn R and Tableau for data visualization and reporting
- Flexible schedule preferred (i.e. occasional evenings and weekends)
Pitt Women's Basketball (1 intern)
Successful applicants should have a strong desire to pursue a career in the field of strength & conditioning and/or sports science. Students will gain valuable strength & conditioning experience at a Division I program, chance to earn hours beyond program’s requirements and have the opportunity to earn recommendations for future career opportunities.
Responsibilities:
- Assisting with the implementation of strength & conditioning programs for Women’s Basketball
- Weight room/equipment maintenance and set up
- Daily operation of team’s Catapult technology and sports science equipment
- Other duties as assigned
Required:
- Acceptance to the Sports Science MS Program
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification (training can be provided)
Preferred Qualifications/Experience:
- Previous experience in collegiate athletics
- Currently hold industry certification, preferably CSCCa – SCCC or NSCA – CSCS
- Experience with or basic knowledge of the following programs: Catapult, Polar, Force Plates, Velocity-based training tools (GymAware), Data collection in Excel
- Experience with or a desire to learn R and Tableau for data visualization and reporting
- Flexible schedule preferred (i.e. occasional evenings and weekends)
Pitt Women's Soccer (1-2 intern)
Successful applicants should have a strong desire to pursue a career in the field of strength and conditioning and/or sports science. Students will gain valuable strength and conditioning experience at a Division I program, chance to earn hours beyond the program’s requirements and have the opportunity to earn recommendations for future career opportunities.
Responsibilities:
- Assisting with the implementation of strength & conditioning programs for Women’s Soccer
- Daily operation of team’s Catapult and sports science equipment
- Other duties as assigned
Required:
- Acceptance to the Sports Science MS Program
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification (training can be provided)
Preferred Qualifications/Experience:
- Previous experience in collegiate athletics
- Currently hold industry certification, preferably CSCCa – SCCC or NSCA – CSCS
- Experience with or basic knowledge of the following programs: Catapult, Polar, Hawkin Dynamics, Velocity-based training tools (GymAware), Data collection in Excel
- Experience with or a desire to learn R and Tableau for data visualization and reporting
- Flexible schedule preferred (i.e. occasional evenings and weekends)
Pitt Men's Soccer (1 intern)
Successful applicants should have a strong desire to pursue a career in the field of strength & conditioning and/or sports science. Students will gain valuable strength & conditioning experience at a Division I program, chance to earn hours beyond program’s requirements and have the opportunity to earn recommendations for future career opportunities.
Responsibilities:
- Assisting with the implementation of strength and conditioning programs for Women’s Soccer
- Daily operation of the team’s Catapult and sports science equipment
- Other duties as assigned
Required:
- Acceptance to the Sports Science MS Program
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification (training can be provided)
Preferred Qualifications/Experience:
- Previous experience in collegiate athletics
- Currently hold industry certification, preferably CSCCa – SCCC or NSCA – CSCS
- Experience with or basic knowledge of the following programs: Catapult, Polar, Hawkin Dynamics, Velocity-based training tools (GymAware), Data collection in Excel
- Experience with or a desire to learn R and Tableau for data visualization and reporting
- Flexible schedule preferred (i.e. occasional evenings and weekends)
Pitt Women's Lacrosse (1-2 intern)
Successful applicants should have a strong desire to pursue a career in the field of strength and conditioning and/or sports science. Students will gain valuable strength and conditioning experience at a Division I program, chance to earn hours beyond the program’s requirements and have the opportunity to earn recommendations for future career opportunities.
Responsibilities:
- Assisting with the implementation of strength and conditioning programs for Women’s Lacrosse
- Daily operation of the team’s Catapult and sports science equipment
- Other duties as assigned
Required:
- Acceptance to the Sports Science MS Program
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification (training can be provided)
Preferred Qualifications/Experience:
- Previous experience in collegiate athletics
- Currently hold industry certification, preferably CSCCa – SCCC or NSCA – CSCS
- Experience with or basic knowledge of the following programs: Catapult, Polar, Hawkin Dynamics, Velocity-based training tools (GymAware), Data collection in Excel
- Experience with or a desire to learn R and Tableau for data visualization and reporting
- Flexible schedule preferred (i.e. occasional evenings and weekends)
Pitt Women's Volleyball (1-2 intern)
Successful applicants should have a strong desire to pursue a career in the field of strength and conditioning and/or sports science. Students will gain valuable strength and conditioning experience at a Division I program, a chance to earn hours beyond the program’s requirements and have the opportunity to earn recommendations for future career opportunities.
Responsibilities:
- Assisting with the implementation of strength and conditioning programs for Volleyball
- Weight room/equipment maintenance and setup
- Daily operations of the team’s VERT technology and sports science equipment
- Other duties as assigned
Required:
- Acceptance to the Sports Science MS Program
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification (training can be provided)
Preferred Qualifications/Experience:
- Previous experience in collegiate athletics
- Currently hold industry certification, preferably CSCCa – SCCC or NSCA – CSCS
- Experience with or basic knowledge of the following programs: VERT, Hawkin Dynamics, Velocity-based training tools (GymAware), Data collection in Excel
- Experience with or a desire to learn R and Tableau for data visualization and reporting
- Flexible schedule preferred (i.e. occasional evenings and weekends)
Pitt Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving (1 intern)
Successful applicants should have a strong desire to pursue a career in the field of swimming and/or sports science. Students will gain valuable experience at a Division I Swimming and Diving program, a chance to earn hours beyond the program’s requirements, and have the opportunity to earn recommendations for future career opportunities.
Responsibilities:
- Assisting with the implementation of dryland programs for Swimming & Diving
- Tracking volumes, times and intensities of daily training
- Daily setup of video cameras for athlete feedback
- Providing health, sports performance and nutrition information for athletes through weekly lectures and conversations with athletes
- Providing physiological and periodization feedback to coaching staff to help improve implementation of training
- Other duties as assigned
Required:
- Acceptance to the Sports Science MS Program
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification (training can be provided)
Preferred Qualifications/Experience:
- Previous experience in collegiate athletics
- Currently hold industry certification, preferably CSCCa – SCCC or NSCA – CSCS
- Experience with or basic knowledge of the following: Data collection in Excel, Prior swimming experience
- Experience with or a desire to learn R and Tableau for data visualization and reporting
- Flexible schedule preferred (i.e. occasional evenings and weekends)
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite Hockey (1-2 interns)
Successful applicants should have a strong desire to pursue a career in the field of strength & conditioning and/or sports science. Volunteers will gain valuable strength & conditioning experience at an elite youth program focusing on hockey athletes, general population clients, and several athletes from all other walks of the sports spectrum. Candidates will have the chance to earn hours beyond program requirements to hone specific skills and have the opportunity to earn recommendations for future career opportunities.
Responsibilities
- Assisting with the implementation of strength and conditioning programs for the Pens Elite
- Weight room/equipment maintenance and setup
- Daily operation of the team’s technology and sports science equipment
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements
- Acceptance to the Sports Science MS Program
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification (training can be provided)
Preferred Qualifications and Experience
- Previous experience in strength and conditioning or personal training
- Currently hold industry certification, preferably CSCCa – SCCC or NSCA – CSCS
- Experience with or basic knowledge of the following programs: WHOOP, Jump mats, Velocity-based training tools (GymAware), Data collection in Excel
- Flexible schedule preferred (i.e. occasional evenings and weekends)
Carnegie Mellon University Athletics (1-2 interns)
Carnegie Mellon University Athletics Department is seeking an experienced graduate student for an internship role under the supervision of the head strength and conditioning coach.
Responsibilities:
The position is modeled after a strength and conditioning graduate apprenticeship, where the applicant will have the opportunity to assist in the following areas:
- Leading multiple modalities of training ranging from short, weight-room-based routines to long, speed preparation sessions
- Instructing sections of the workout including plyometrics, Olympic lifting, mobility, barbell, dumbbell, and bodyweight exercises
- Leading groups through an entire workout from warm-up to the end of running or lifting
Goal:
The goal of the apprenticeship is to prepare the applicant to assume programming and coaching responsibilities for one or more teams as they are ready.
Opportunities:
In addition to coaching experience, this position offers exposure to educational resources including:
- A comprehensive 1000+ exercise video library
- Programming and training organization principles taken from a variety of disciplines including track and field, gymnastics, weightlifting, bodybuilding, and martial arts
- An injury prevention framework that blends the art of rehabilitation with practical considerations
Preferred Skills:
The applicant will have coaching experience in a collegiate weight room and be certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, but these are not requirements.
Commitment:
As required by the Sports Science program, the internship requires 10-15 hours per week beginning in the middle of August and ending May 31.
To apply:
Submit a resume and cover letter addressed to Alan DeGennaro at adegenna@andrew.cmu.edu.
Duquesne University Athletics (1-5 interns)
Duquesne University Athletics Department is seeking experienced graduate students for an internship role under the supervision of the head strength and conditioning coach.
Responsibilities
The position is modeled after a strength and conditioning graduate apprenticeship where the applicant will have the opportunity to assist in the following areas:
- Leading multiple modalities of training, ranging from short, weight-room-based routines to long, speed preparation sessions
- Instructing sections of the workout, including plyometrics, Olympic lifting, mobility, barbell, dumbbell, and bodyweight exercises
- Leading groups through an entire workout from warm-up to the end of running or lifting
Goal
The goal of the apprenticeship is to prepare the applicant to assume programming and coaching responsibilities for one or more teams as they are ready.
Pitt Men's Wrestling
Successful applicants should have a strong desire to pursue a career in the field of strength and conditioning and/or sports science. Volunteers will gain valuable strength and conditioning experience at a Division I program, a chance to earn hours beyond the program requirements and have the opportunity to earn recommendations for future career opportunities.
Responsibilities
- Assisting with the implementation of sport science testing protocols for Wrestling
- Weight room/equipment maintenance and setup
- Daily operation of the team’s testing protocols and sport science equipment
- Collecting and analyzing testing and weight room data
- Weekly reporting on relative strength/power metrics during weight cut periods
- Other duties/projects as assigned
Required
- Acceptance to the Sports Science program
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification (training can be provided)
Preferred Qualifications and Experience
- Previous experience in collegiate athletics
- Currently hold industry certification, preferably CSCCa – SCCC or NSCA – CSCS
- Experience with or basic knowledge of the following programs: VALD, Hawkin Dynamics, velocity-based training tools (GymAware), data collection in Excel
- Experience with or a desire to learn R and Tableau for data visualization and reporting
- Flexible schedule preferred (i.e. occasional evenings and weekends)
Pitt Women's Gymnastics
Successful applicants should have a strong desire to pursue a career in the field of strength and conditioning and/or sports science. Volunteers will gain valuable strength and conditioning experience at a Division I program, a chance to earn hours beyond the program requirements, and have the opportunity to earn recommendations for future career opportunities.
Responsibilities
- Assisting with the implementation of sport science testing protocols for Gymnastics
- Weight room/equipment maintenance and setup
- Daily operation of the team’s testing protocols and sport science equipment
- Tracking weight room data
- Other duties/projects as assigned
Required
- Acceptance to the Sports Science program
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification (training can be provided)
Preferred Qualifications and Experience
- Previous experience in collegiate athletics
- Currently hold industry certification, preferably CSCCa – SCCC or NSCA – CSCS
- Experience with or basic knowledge of the following programs: VALD, Hawkin Dynamics, Velocity-based training tools (GymAware), Data collection in Excel
- Experience with or a desire to learn R and Tableau for data visualization and reporting
- Flexible schedule preferred (i.e. occasional evenings and weekends)
Pitt Men's and Women's Track and Field (1-2 interns)
Successful applicants should have a strong desire to pursue a career in the field of strength and conditioning and/or sports science. Volunteers will gain valuable strength and conditioning experience at a Division I program, a chance to earn hours beyond the program’s requirements, and have the opportunity to earn recommendations for future career opportunities.
Responsibilities
- Run weekly force plate jumps and track data and trends over each semester
- Help with Nordboard, Iso Pulls and other testing at the beginning of each phase of training
- Help Track coaches run 1080 Sprint at practice and report data back to coaches
- Help with the setup of GymAware and monitor speeds during training
Required
- Acceptance to the Sports Science program
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification (training can be provided)
Preferred Qualifications and Experience
- Previous experience in collegiate athletics
- Currently hold industry certification, preferably CSCCa – SCCC or NSCA – CSCS
- Experience with or basic knowledge of the following programs: Hawkin Dynamics, 1080 Motion, VALD, velocity-based training tools (GymAware), data collection in Excel
- Experience with or a desire to learn R and Tableau for data visualization and reporting
- Flexible schedule preferred (i.e. occasional evenings and weekends)
Pitt Neuromuscular Research Lab (NMRL) (2+ interns)
Successful applicants should have a strong desire to pursue a career in human performance testing and research. Students will gain valuable hands-on research experience across a number of studies, a chance to earn hours beyond the program’s requirements, and have the opportunity to earn recommendations for future career opportunities. The NMRL is staffed by multidisciplinary research faculty and graduate students, including athletic trainers, physical therapists, exercise physiologists, bioengineers, biomechanists, registered dietitians, medical doctors and epidemiologists. The successful applicant will be given the opportunity to aid projects funded by the Department of Defense centered around performance optimization and injury prevention in both tactical and athletic populations.
Responsibilities:
- Data processing and management
- Database entry of laboratory
- Database management
- Collection of biological samples (muscle and blood)
- Body composition and bone density scans
- Biomechanical performance assessments
- Other duties as assigned
Required:
- Ability to work flexible hours (i.e. early mornings and weekends)
- Proficient in Microsoft Office products
- Preferred Qualifications/Experience:
- Previous human subjects research experience
- Undergraduate degree in exercise physiology, kinesiology, nutrition or a related field
- Experience with or a desire to learn data analysis and statistical methods
- CPR/AED certification