Navigating Pittsburgh Penguins Internships: A Comprehensive Guide

Internships offer invaluable opportunities for students and recent graduates to gain practical experience, explore career paths, and build professional networks. For those passionate about hockey and sports management, the Pittsburgh Penguins offer a range of internships that can provide a unique and rewarding experience. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Pittsburgh Penguins internships, covering eligibility requirements, available areas, application tips, and more.

The Value of Internships

Internships, externships, co-ops, and fellowships provide college students with opportunities to gain real-world experience. These experiences can help students earn money for college tuition, test drive a career, and gain experience valued in their fields.

Eligibility for Pittsburgh Penguins Internships

Typically, Pittsburgh Penguins internships are available to students entering their junior or senior year of college. Specific requirements may vary depending on the department and role.

General Requirements

Academic Standing: Applicants must be college juniors or seniors.
Major: Applicants must major in the area for which they are applying.
Availability: Interns need flexible availability each week. For example, some internships require an average of 10-15 hours of flexible availability each week. This may include day and evening hours, as well as holidays and weekends. The number of hours per week can vary by position.
Location: The internships are onsite at the Pittsburgh Penguins offices at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. No relocation assistance is provided for students residing outside the Pittsburgh area.
Compensation: The internship is paid hourly. For example, some internships pay at the rate of $10 per hour.
Course Credit: Students remain eligible for earning course credits for their internship and will be responsible for ensuring that the internship meets the criteria of their program and/or university.

Internship Areas

The Pittsburgh Penguins offer internships in various departments, providing opportunities for students with diverse interests and skill sets.

Hockey Operations

The Hockey Research and Development Fellowship and Internship Programs within the Hockey Operations department offer a chance to shape decision-making processes through data analysis and interpretation.

Responsibilities: Fellows and interns develop and apply statistical modeling and quantitative analysis techniques using hockey data, support in-game data collection, perform ad hoc research and analysis, evaluate new data sources and technologies, as well as communicate findings within the Hockey Operations department.
Fellowship Program: The paid fellowship program runs between 6-12 months depending on the applicant’s availability and qualifications, with a minimum of six months requested.
Internship Program: The internship program is a full-time, 10-week paid internship running from June through August 2025.

Media Relations

Media Relations internships provide hands-on experience in assisting the media relations staff with day-to-day functions.

Responsibilities: Observing and assisting the media relations staff with day-to-day functions within the department. Interns will have interaction with executives of the Pittsburgh Penguins Hockey Club, visiting team personnel and local and national media outlets. The candidates will be expected to act in a professional manner at all times. Interns will gain experience and training in writing media releases and game notes. Interns will assist with the creation of the Penguins’ 2026-27 Media Guide by writing and compiling player and team statistics. Interns will create the Penguins’ 2026 Prospect Development Camp Guide and assist the Penguins’ communications department throughout the entirety of the Prospect Development Camp. Interns will assist with NHL Draft and free agency preparation and execution.

Production Operations

Interns assist on all assigned shoots and editing as determined by the department supervisor. This includes in-game elements, Web elements, TV broadcast elements, in-arena assets, and special projects to be aired in appropriate venues (e.g. videos for private events).

Multimedia

Areas of focus include motion graphics, radio, and graphics.

Motion Graphics Intern: The Motion Graphics Intern will assist in the creation of assigned motion and still graphics as determined by the department supervisor. This will include (but is not limited to): In-game elements, Web elements, TV broadcast elements, In-arena assets. Special projects to be aired in appropriate venues (e.g. videos for private events). Interns will primarily work in Photoshop, After Effects and Illustrator, although experience in Premiere and Final Cut Pro, and 3D software such as Cinema 4D, Blender, or Unreal are a plus. Interns will work closely with all production staff to gain hands-on experience across all facets of production.

Foundation

The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation internships focus on supporting the Foundation’s mission and pillars, which include youth hockey, wellness, education, and community.

Responsibilities: Support Foundation programs and events tied to youth hockey, wellness, education, and community. Demonstrate creativity in support of fundraising initiatives such as Foundation Auctions and Sweepstakes, as well as special events. Assist with the coordination of team/alumni special events and game day promotions. Manage the authentication process of autographed and player-used memorabilia. Research NHL and local charitable projects to outline growth opportunities for the Foundation. Foster the Foundation’s relationship with the public by providing exceptional customer service. Organize and fulfill charitable donation requests. Update Foundation’s CRM system on an as needed basis. Assist in the collaboration and design of marketing materials and fundraising tools. Create, edit, and proofread official documents and internal/external communications. Assist in community outreach during Penguins home games and select community/charitable events.

Corporate Partnerships

Corporate Partnership internships offer exposure to the sales and marketing strategies used by an NHL team to generate revenue.

Responsibilities: Assist in the service of all current and potential corporate partners. Learn corporate partnership sales and marketing strategies used by an NHL team to generate revenue for the organization. Develop a working understanding of partnership sales, operations, marketing tactics that deliver value to both the partner and the organization. Support the Corporate partnerships teams in all areas of the sales and activation process. Identify industry trends and brands that are actively investing in sports partnerships. Generate new leads for the Partnership Sales team through prospect, market and category research. Assist in creating partnerships proposals with guidance from partnerships team. Create and maintain various tracking systems for all Partnership contracts and assets (e.g., radio, signage, print, tickets, suites, autographed items). Assist Partnership Marketing team in developing and executing fully integrated marketing campaigns for partners. Build activation recaps with proof of performance imagery and key metrics using sponsorship valuation and reporting software. Support partner activation implementation in-arena during games, including setup and takedown. Participate in select department meetings, brainstorming sessions, and select partner calls/meetings. Assist with various non-hockey events off-site and at PPG Paints Arena. Lead or support special projects. Assist in the fulfillment of all autographed merchandise requests for the organization. Perform various office tasks (i.e.

Ticketing

Ticketing internships provide an opportunity to learn the basics of how a professional ticketing department functions.

Responsibilities: Intern(s) will observe and learn the basics of how a professional ticketing department functions. Learn all aspects of the ticket sales process. Cold-call past purchasers, local businesses and organizations. Self-prospect and search for opportunities to assist new businesses and local organizations through season ticket, group, or premium packages. Update customer information in Ticketmaster Archtics and/or CRM when needed. Assist in the planning, development and execution of both prospecting and season ticket holder events. Work as on-campus brand ambassador for GetGo Student Rush program. Conduct research and brainstorm new benefits, incentives, events, and experiences for the department. All other duties as assigned.

How to Increase Your Chances of Landing an Internship

Highlight Relevant Experience

Applicants who have experience in their area of interest will increase their chances for an internship. They should fully describe in their application any relative experience they have had. If you’re staring at internship postings that all say “1-2 years of experience required” and thinking, “Wait… isn’t that the point of an internship?” - you’re not alone. The good news: you can land a remote software engineering internship with no formal experience. The trick is to re-define “experience,” show proof you can code, and apply strategically.

Showcase Your Skills

If you have experience in specific software or tools relevant to the internship, be sure to highlight those skills in your application. For example, for Motion Graphics Interns, proficiency in Photoshop, After Effects, and Illustrator is beneficial, and experience in Premiere and Final Cut Pro, and 3D software such as Cinema 4D, Blender, or Unreal are a plus.

Networking

Networking can be a powerful tool in your internship search.

Campus Visits and Career Fairs

Some companies recruit students for internships through campus visits in the Fall and Spring. Career-specific professional organizations may also help identify outstanding students for internships.

Benefits of a Pittsburgh Penguins Internship

Real-World Experience

Interns gain hands-on training, challenging project work, and networking opportunities. A remote software engineering internship can: Build your portfolio with real-world projects, not just homework. Give you flexibility to work from anywhere (home, dorm, another city). Open doors to full-time offers or future internships. Boost your confidence working on production-level code and teams.

Exposure to the Sports Industry

Internships offer an exciting opportunity for college students to work in the area of sports management. Students will find a wide selection of professional sports teams who are looking for interns.

Professional Development

Interns will work within a professional, corporate environment and learn from experienced, professional leaders.

Other Internship Opportunities

While the Pittsburgh Penguins offer valuable internship experiences, it's also worth exploring other sports-related internships.

NHL Hockey Internships

NHL Hockey Internships are available across the country for college students interested in getting hands-on experience working for a professional sports organization.

New York Mets Summer Internship Program

The New York Mets Summer Internship Program is available for college students who are rising Juniors, Seniors, and graduate students. Internship areas include Accounting, External Affairs and Community Outreach, Human Resources, Metropolitan Hospitality, Procurement, Project Development, Tickets Sales & Services. Part-time internships are offered in Corporate Partnerships, Marketing & Communications, and Media Relations.

Detroit Lions Internships

Detroit Lions Internships offer an exciting opportunity for college students to work in the area of sports management. Opportunities include athletic training, broadcasting, community relations, digital media, equipment manager during training camp, marketing, events management, media relations, scouting, sponsorships and much more.

PGA Tour Internships

PGA Tour Internships offer an exciting opportunity for college undergraduate and graduate students to work with professionals in the PGA Tour. Interns will work within a professional, corporate environment and learn from experienced, professional leaders. During their internship, interns will also be able to participate in charity activities, networking events and golf outings!

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