Name: Keira Evans
Department: Communications 

What has been the coolest opportunity, project, or experience you’ve been a part of during your internship so far? Attending home games, getting to walk around the stadium, talking to photographers and interacting with players has been such an incredible, amazing experience.

What skills and lessons have you gained from this internship that will help you prepare you for confidence and success in your future career This internship has taught me many lessons, seeing the behind-the-scenes of running and putting on the full face of a sports team. Wanting to go into sports as a full-time career, this internship has allowed me to learn at such a young age the ropes of what the communication side looks like and how much each person truly puts in has truly inspired me, and given me confidence in knowing that I am following the right career path.

What advice would you give to future PLNU students considering a similar internship opportunity?  Go for it! This was truly my dream internship, and if I had not tried for it, I never would have gotten to experience all I have. It is such a fun internship, and in these moments, while you’re trying to gain experience and learn your passion, it is important to try everything and go for it all.

What are your career goals or aspirations after graduating PLNU? How do you feel like this current internship aligns with those goals or aspirations? After graduation I plan to remain in sports media/broadcasting to pursue my goal of sideline reporting for the NFL. This internship aligns with the goals by giving me the experience and edge of knowing the background/behind the scenes and details of what it takes in the professional sports world.

Name: Maria Heap
Department: Nurtrition

What’s your Current Role for San Diego Wave FC? I support the nutrition and performance operations at the Wave FC training facility. Day-to-day, I take inventory, restock the meal room and player lounge, keep the supplement table stocked, and place orders for anything that’s running low. I also make smoothies and recovery snacks for the players after practice, and prep travel suitcases with game-day essentials. It’s a mix of behind-the-scenes logistics and direct athlete support. I genuinely love it!

How has this internship connected to or reinforced what you’ve learned in your classes at PLNU? Being here has let me see the concepts I’ve learned in class actually playing out in real life. I’ve studied sports nutrition and the importance of fueling athletes properly, but watching my supervisor Courtney make decisions about supplements, meal timing, and travel nutrition for professional players made it click in a way a textbook can’t. Even just observing how the staff thinks through things, like what to pack in a travel suitcase or what recovery snacks to offer after practice, reinforced that nutrition in a high-performance setting is really individualized and intentional. I feel like I understood the “what” from class, and this internship has started showing me the “how.”

What has been your favorite part about your internship so far? One of my favorite moments was helping set up a surprise for the players after practice and I got to be part of bringing it to life. We had fresh coconuts with straws waiting for the players when they came off the field, and the reaction was really sweet to witness. Everyone lit up and it was such a simple thing, but it had a real impact, and being there for it reminded me that taking care of athletes goes way beyond what’s on the plate. I got to see firsthand how those small, thoughtful gestures are a real part of building team culture.

Name: Monica Almendras
Department: Corporate Partnerships

What skills and lessons have you gained from this internship that will help you prepare you for confidence and success in your future career? This internship has helped me grow in ways that feel both professional and personal. One of the biggest lessons has been learning to bring my own shimmer into the work. I’ve gained confidence in speaking with vendors at events, asking questions, and doing small pieces of research that help me understand how partnerships come to life. I’ve also learned how valuable it is to connect with people in the community. A conversation with a teacher about supporting Wave and women’s sports in San Diego even opened the door for me to lead a mini project, which reminded me that taking initiative matters.

What has been your favorite part about your internship so far? I never imagined that during my first semester at PLNU I would have the chance to intern with a professional soccer club, and it still feels surreal in the best way. Being surrounded by people who support my ideas and encourage my growth has made this experience even more meaningful. The best highlight has been the chance to give back to the community. Donating World Cup booklets and Wave FC stickers to the kids at Ocean View Church felt meaningful, especially knowing how much it will mean for kids in the South Bay to receive something special from Wave FC.

What are your career goals or aspirations after graduating PLNU? How do you feel like this current internship aligns with those goals or aspirations? My career goals have shifted over the past two years. I originally imagined working in market research within European soccer, but through Dr. Dalakas’ class and my interest in Formula 1 and the F1 Academy, I’ve become more drawn to corporate partnerships in motorsports. This internship has helped me move in that direction. It feels like being on training wheels in the best way. I’m learning how to evaluate partner assets, understand what to look for in a stadium, and think through how activations come to life. It reminds me that partnerships are not just about business outcomes. They’re about people, community, and creating moments that matter. This internship has given me space to think creatively, notice details, and imagine concepts that could work for Wave and for future roles.

Name: James Metcalfe
Department: Graphic Design

What has been the coolest opportunity, project, or experience you’ve been a part of during your internship so far? The coolest experience I have been a part of so far was watching and experiencing the Club’s graphic designers, Ryland Tunney and Jaden Roberts Thomas, work on the Instagram graphics of the player’s arrivals on game day up in the press box.

What skills and lessons have you gained from this internship that will help you prepare you for confidence and success in your future career? I have gained a strong understanding of how to work with image and type to create a visually appealing graphic using photoshop.

What advice would you give to future PLNU students considering a similar internship opportunity? Don’t be afraid to ask questions and build as many skills as possible during your internship.

What has been your favorite part about your internship so far? Game days have been super cool. Feeling like I am part of the team has allowed me to really embrace women’s soccer and become a loyal Wave FC fan.

What are your career goals or aspirations after graduating PLNU? How do you feel like this current internship aligns with those goals or aspirations? I would like to become a graphic designer within the sports world or become a brand designer for an agency. I feel my current internship directly aligns with these goals of mine and I hope that it opens doors for me moving forward.

Name: Kassandra Espinoza
Department: Matchday Operations

What’s your Current Role for with San Diego Wave FC? As a Matchday Operations Coordinator Intern for Fan Engagement & Game Presentation, I support the planning and execution of matchday operations at Snapdragon Stadium. My responsibilities include creating and managing timelines, following up on outstanding information, coordinating with internal teams, and supporting talent- and fan-facing activations, including the Swell Squad. Much of my role focuses on keeping projects moving forward, maintaining communication between departments, and identifying potential issues before they impact the matchday experience.

How has this internship connected to or reinforced what you’ve learned in your classes at PLNU? By providing a real-world example of how organizations operate under tight timelines and shared objectives. In both my undergraduate and MBA coursework, there has been a strong emphasis on leadership, project coordination, and organizational effectiveness. Working in professional sports has shown me how those concepts translate into practice when multiple departments must work together to execute a successful event.

What has been the coolest opportunity, project, or experience you’ve been a part of during your internship so far? One of the most rewarding parts of the experience is seeing thousands of fans enter the stadium and knowing that our team’s preparation helped create that experience. Matchdays can be long and fast-paced, but seeing the energy, excitement, and connection among fans makes all the hard work worthwhile.

What advice would you give to future PLNU students considering a similar internship opportunity? Approach every opportunity with curiosity and a willingness to learn. Stepping into a professional environment can feel intimidating at first, but some of the most meaningful growth comes from embracing new challenges, adapting to unfamiliar situations, and taking initiative. Internships offer the chance to learn from professionals, build strong communication and collaboration skills, and develop confidence in navigating real-world challenges. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek feedback, and step outside your comfort zone. The more engaged and proactive you are, the more valuable and rewarding your internship experience will be. Don’t forget to enjoy the process!

Name: Leah Boles
Department: People and Culture

What’s your Current Role for San Diego Wave FC? I am currently the People & Culture Intern, a role that involves building the corporate culture at Wave’s business office. This looks like planning events and teambuilding exercises for staff to participate in. I have also become comfortable using various Human Resources software to help organize data.

What has been the coolest opportunity, project, or experience you’ve been a part of during your internship so far? I have really enjoyed planning events for the staff. I recently led a team-building exercise called the Great Post-It Wall, where staff had the opportunity to share ideas they had for different departments, such as new fan activations and ways to improve collaboration. It was an amazing experience to not only get to develop an activity like this, but also to use the feedback we received for other upcoming projects.

What are your career goals or aspirations after graduating PLNU? How do you feel like this current internship aligns with those goals or aspirations? After graduating from PLNU, I hope to pursue a career that combines meaningful relationship-building, leadership, and organizational impact. While I am still exploring the specific direction I want to take, this internship has helped me discover a strong interest in People & Culture and human resources. This internship aligns with my career aspirations by providing hands-on experience in a professional sports organization and helping me develop skills in communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and employee engagement. It has broadened my understanding of potential career opportunities and given me valuable insight into a field that I could see myself pursuing after graduation.

Name: Carlos Roriguez
Department: Nutrition

How has this internship connected to or reinforced what you’ve learned in your classes at PLNU? This internship has helped me connect classroom concepts to real-world practice. Through my coursework at PLNU, I have learned about sports nutrition, exercise physiology, performance, and recovery. At Wave FC, I have been able to see how fueling strategies are adjusted based on training intensity, match demands, and athlete needs. It has reinforced the importance of applying evidence-based principles while also adapting to the practical realities of a professional sports environment.

What has been the coolest opportunity, project, or experience you’ve been a part of during your internship so far? Observing scrimmages and seeing firsthand how nutrition, recovery, and performance all come together in a professional setting. I also enjoyed developing nutrition-related projects and preparing smoothies for players. Those opportunities allowed me to contribute beyond daily operations and reflect on my growth throughout the internship.

What skills and lessons have you gained from this internship that will help you prepare you for confidence and success in your future career I’ve gotten a lot better at being proactive and anticipating needs before they’re asked for. Working in a fast-moving environment where you’re prepping for practices, games, and travel all at once teaches you to think ahead. I’ve also learned how to work well in a team where everyone has a role, and that communication and reliability matter just as much as the actual task you’re doing. And honestly, I’ve gained a lot of confidence in my own knowledge. This experience made me trust myself more.