Job Title: 2025-2026 Chicago Steel Fall Intern (School-Credit)
Date: August 18, 2025 through December 28, 2025
Departments: Ticket Sales/Fan Experience
Reports to: Manager, Fan Experience
What It’s Like Working Here:
At the Chicago Steel, our commitment to development isn’t just on the ice. While our shared goal is to advance the next generation of hockey players, we are fiercely dedicated to ensuring all of our employees are equipped with the tools to not only be successful but thrive in their career. With a fun, collaborative culture and plenty of room for impact, the Chicago Steel is the perfect place for any sports business professional eager to find a people-driven home and great opportunity for growth and advancement.
The Ideal Candidate:
Successful candidates will be approachable, willing to actively communicate with Steel fans and fellow staff members, willing to venture out of their comfort zone, self-starters with excellent communication skills, and individuals that take great pride in their work regardless of the task(s) assigned.
The Top Shelf:
This internship is designed to expose individuals to the business side of the sports by providing a fun, hands-on learning experience. You will be trained in various skills while working closely with the ticket department to gain hands-on experience assisting with the ticket operations of a sports team. In addition, you will learn the ins and outs of gameday operations. We are looking for individuals who are team-players, works well with others, and can handle multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment.
Internship Credit and Academic Approval:
This internship is designed to meet academic credit requirements for most colleges and universities. Students must receive approval from their faculty advisor prior to the start of the internship. A letter from the academic department or faculty advisor confirming credit eligibility is required.
Learning and Development Focus:
Interns in our program will gain:
· Ticket Sales Training: Learn the fundamentals including outreach strategies, sales techniques, and fan relationship-building
· Software & CRM Platform Experience: Gain practical experience using CRM platforms to manage customer data and monitor sales and service interactions
· Business Operations Exposure: Work alongside front office members in marketing, sponsorship, community relations, and event operations to understand their roles in driving organizational success
· Game Day Execution: Gain hands-on experience in a live event setting by supporting fan engagement initiatives, executing in-arena promotions, and assisting with behind-the-scenes logistics
· Professional Skill Development: Build skills in communications, problem-solving, teamwork, and adapting in a fast-paced sports environment
· Mentorship & Feedback: Work closely with front office staff to receive guidance, performance feedback, and career advice in the sports industry
How You’ll Contribute In the Office:
· Research leads and local businesses, handle data entry and complete various assigned projects
· Perform outbound calls to generate leads for individual, season, and group ticket opportunities
· Represent Chicago Steel at community events, ensuring a welcoming and inclusive environment
· Support front office staff with various projects
How You’ll Contribute on Game Days:
· Assist in the planning and execution of all aspects of Chicago Steel home games – including on-ice and in-game promotions, sponsorship activations, engaging with fans, and other tasks as assigned
· Help with event preparation and operations before and after games
Player Stats and Qualifications:
· Must be 18 years of age or older
· The ability to attend the vast majority of Steel home games during the 2025-2026 season. This will include nights, weekends, and holidays. It is important candidates are available for holiday dates, spring break and other game dates that may fall outside of the academic calendar.
· A positive attitude and a willingness to actively engage and interact with fans.
· Strong personal and communication skills.
· Candidates must possess a proactive, service-oriented mentality that will assist every department with its respective needs.
· The ability to work pro-actively and independently, a can-do attitude and their own transportation.
· A willingness to learn new skills and adapt in a fun, fast-paced environment.
· A strong work ethic, positive attitude, willingness to accept all tasks assigned and the ability to learn quickly.
· The understanding that working in sports is different than being a fan. This position does not guarantee candidates will be able to watch games. Many valuable positions within the organization are behind the scenes, and they provide little ability to watch the games.
· The ability to handle the physical requirements of the position, including setting up equipment for events, standing for longer periods of time and other light to medium lifting.
· This internship is unpaid and is intended only for students that will receive school credit upon completion of their internship.
The Team:
The Chicago Steel, members of the United States Hockey League (USHL), will participate in their 26th season and are one of the most decorated junior hockey teams in the world in recent years.
Since the inaugural season of 2000-2001, 360 Chicago Steel players have played Division I hockey and 62 Steel alumni have been selected in the NHL draft, including nine first round selections. The Steel have won two Clark Cup Championships (2017, 2021). The club won two consecutive Anderson Cup titles as regular season champions (2019, 2020), totaling the best winning percentage in league history (.847) during the 2019-2020 season.
The club drew more fans during the 2024-2025 regular season than in any season since their move to Fox Valley Ice Arena in 2015.
Off the ice, the Steel boasts a vibrant, aspirational staff dedicated to continued attendance growth built on providing an outstanding fan experience.
The Chicago Steel is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, religion or religious creed, color, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, local law, ordinance, or regulation and will not be discriminated against on these bases.
