For the first time ever, I did not eat Thanksgiving dinner with my family. Instead, 30 coworkers and I were crammed into a small room to eat Thanksgiving buffet-style. I had to return outside after stuffing myself with turkey and stuffing. I couldn’t have been happier as the wind howled and a mix of snow and rain fell. As an intern for NFL Films, I participated in the Bengals-Jets game on the field.
In June, I learned about and applied for the fall internship at NFL Films; the entire process was online. Later, I discovered that only 30 out of the 400 applicants who submitted applications were even selected for interviews. I was one of the lucky 30.
We took a thorough tour of the enormous three story NFL Films building on my first day there. Without a tour guide, I recalled thinking there was no way I could navigate the building. I was able to find it after a few weeks of stumbling around with other interns in our free time, using the numerous pictures hanging on the walls as street signs (turn left at Jerry Rice for Project Management, for example).
On features slated to air on NFL Network’s Game Day Morning, Adam Berger, an NFL Network producer, was my boss most days. By Monday or Tuesday, my supervisor would confirm an interview with a player or coach, fly out to conduct the interview on Wednesday or Thursday, and then have one to two days to prepare the finished product for broadcast. I was involved in a project from beginning to end, and there were frequently strict deadlines, so it was a fantastic learning opportunity.
My duties included going through a feature’s script and locating pertinent clips in NFL Films’ massive tape collection. For instance, one week we ran a feature on Andy Reid, the head coach of the Eagles, and Michael Vick, their star quarterback. I was given a list of videos to find, including ones of Vick as a Falcon, Reid and Donovan McNabb, a former Eagles quarterback, and Vick. Although we did our best to prepare, the script frequently changed once an interview was over, and we had to look for new clips.
I really felt like I was contributing to all of the projects I worked on, and it was a very comfortable working environment where my ideas and suggestions were valued. Watching Game Day Morning with my parents every Sunday and being able to say, “I chose that clip to be included in that piece,” or “I found that radio call,” was an amazing feeling. Although it was very satisfying, the best part of my internship was yet to come.
On Thanksgiving Day, I was asked to help out on the field during the Bengals-Jets game. I saw Chad Ochocinco, one of the first Bengals on the field, warming up in striped orange and black clothing. Terrell Owens, who usually accompanies him, wasn’t out of the locker room when I looked for him. Mark Sanchez was warming up his arm with one of the coaches as I moved down to the other end of the field. LaDainian Tomlinson was in the end-zone stretching. Deion Sanders, Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, and sideline reporter Alex Flanagan were in the NFL Network booth when I passed by it. Despite the fact that these are all people I admire professionally, I didn’t feel nervous; instead, I felt excited. This could be compared to being surrounded by your favorite movie stars for many girls, I suppose. For me, these are my movie stars and celebrities. I was working the same game with them on the same field as these people, whom I hope to resemble someday. It was a “pinch me” moment.
I can’t recall a time in my life when I was surrounded by so many famous people, but I wasn’t there as a fan. I had a job to do. I kept moving around the field, stopping at various points to inquire of the NFL Films cameramen whether they required more hand warmers, extra batteries, pens, or extra tapes. I was afraid that the security guards would expel me every time I passed them, but I always smiled and politely flashed my field credentials before continuing. I was watching the Jets’ starting lineups through a smoke-filled tunnel while music was playing and fans were yelling. The stadium is so loud that you can feel it vibrating under your feet. It’s amazing that any of the players can hear anything during a game.
I had the good fortune to assist at another game in December, but this was no ordinary game. I was asked to work the Baltimore Ravens vs. Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game to determine AFC North title Talk about a rivalry!.
I was given a different task for this game; I had to assist a particular cameraman. I quickly realized that he wasn’t joking when he said, “I hope you’re ready to run today,” to me before the game. I didn’t stop moving once, not even for my 10-minute dinner of a pretzel and two cookies in the press area at halftime. My cameraman would leap up and begin running whenever a significant play occurred at the other end of the field. I grabbed the backpack with his equipment and followed behind. It was exhausting yet exhilarating. I loved it. It was such an amazing learning experience.
My internship’s six months went by quickly. Not to sound corny, but when you’re having fun, time really does fly. It was wonderful to learn how much effort NFL Films puts into its work. A piece that would be reduced to two minutes could take a month to complete. For the NFL Films staff, it’s not just about football. It’s more about the art of making movies. It is simple to understand why the business has amassed over 100 Emmys for its work. Everyone employed by NFL Films is genuinely passionate about what they do.
I gained knowledge and experiences that I couldn’t have learned in a classroom during my internship with NFL Films. Through this internship, I was introduced to interesting people from all over the country that I would not have otherwise known. I would strongly recommend applying for an internship with NFL Films if you have any interest in making sports documentaries, sports television, or even just movies in general. Also, don’t forget your running shoes!
Recently graduated from Montclair State University, Kara Burnham is seeking employment in sports production. Kara eventually hopes to return to the sidelines and work as a reporter for a significant sports network.
Sports have always played a big part in Kara’s athletic family’s life. Her brother and sister both played Division 1 football, her father was a player for the Philadelphia Eagles, and she was a college basketball player. Kara was also no slouch, participating in volleyball and basketball at Montclair State.
How to get a job in the NFL (Internship with the Raiders)
Interviews for Top Jobs at NFL
Intern Interview
I interviewed at NFL
Interview
The first interview was done virtually, where I spoke to a camera and no one else. The questions were mostly about previous experiences and why the NFL interested me in particular. The second interview was face to face (on Zoom) with the hiring manager and a TA employee. We discussed specifics of the role and they asked more specific questions about my knowledge areas and my availability for the summer.
- What is your favorite NFL memory? What relevant experiences do you have that are applicable to this position?
Intern Interview
I interviewed at NFL
Interview
First-round asks pre-recorded questions, gives you 30 seconds to think, then records your answer. This was before COVID started so I never ended up hearing back. Hopefully this coming summer will be different
- Why did you choose the NFL?
The NFL is a forward-thinking organization that embraces new technology. Employers use this question to determine your knowledge of the most recent developments in your field and how those developments might benefit their business. Investigate any recent developments in your field’s technology when getting ready for an interview. Tell the interviewer about any experience you have with these technologies.
Example: “I would be happy to take on as much responsibility as possible because I’m always looking for ways to increase my knowledge and experience.” In fact, people have remarked on my aptitude for taking initiative and solving issues. I’d be happy to assist if there was anything I could. ”.
“I am aware that there has been some controversy surrounding the national anthem protests, which I think is unfortunate because it distracts from the actual issue at hand,” for instance. I think that athletes should be permitted to peacefully protest without facing consequences. Additionally, I am aware that the New England Patriots won this year’s Super Bowl. ”.
You can differentiate yourself from the competition and get the NFL job you want by providing thoughtful answers to these questions.
For instance, “I grew up playing basketball and watching my brother play on his high school team, so basketball is my favorite sport.” I was able to watch him play at college after that because he continued to do so. I enjoy how each play requires a lot of teamwork and how quickly the action moves. ”.
30 NFL Films Interview Questions & Answers
Check out our other sets of company interview questions.
The following careers are the ones that this company typically hires for; use these career-focused practice sets to help you succeed in your interview.
Practice with our topic-based interview question sets if you want to ace your upcoming interview.
Practice from one of our industry sets to find more interview questions that are relevant to your company.
Check out our other sets of company interview questions.
The following careers are the ones that this company typically hires for; use these career-focused practice sets to help you succeed in your interview.
Practice with our topic-based interview question sets if you want to ace your upcoming interview.
Practice from one of our industry sets to find more interview questions that are relevant to your company.
This page’s goal is to assist you in getting ready for your job interview. To do this, we develop interview inquiries that we anticipate you may be asked. To assist us in developing our interview questions and writing sample responses, we work with professional interviewers (people with years of experience interviewing candidates). On our pages, there are no advertisements; however, we do try to monetize through paid memberships.
In June, I learned about and applied for the fall internship at NFL Films; the entire process was online. Later, I discovered that only 30 out of the 400 applicants who submitted applications were even selected for interviews. I was one of the lucky 30.
My internship’s six months went by quickly. Not to sound corny, but when you’re having fun, time really does fly. It was wonderful to learn how much effort NFL Films puts into its work. A piece that would be reduced to two minutes could take a month to complete. For the NFL Films staff, it’s not just about football. It’s more about the art of making movies. It is simple to understand why the business has amassed over 100 Emmys for its work. Everyone employed by NFL Films is genuinely passionate about what they do.
I really felt like I was contributing to all of the projects I worked on, and it was a very comfortable working environment where my ideas and suggestions were valued. Watching Game Day Morning with my parents every Sunday and being able to say, “I chose that clip to be included in that piece,” or “I found that radio call,” was an amazing feeling. Although it was very satisfying, the best part of my internship was yet to come.
Most days, I worked under NFL Network producer Adam Berger on features scheduled to air on NFL Network’s Game Day Morning. My supervisor would confirm a player or coach interview by Monday or Tuesday, fly out and conduct the interview Wednesday or Thursday, then have 1-2 days to produce a final product ready for air. It was a great learning experience because I was involved in a project from start to finish, and often under a tight deadline.
I had the good fortune to assist at another game in December, but this was no ordinary game. I was asked to work the Baltimore Ravens vs. Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game to determine AFC North title Talk about a rivalry!.
FAQ
Is it hard to get an internship with the NFL?
The National Football League is structured much like a large corporation and offers year-round opportunities for both interns and full-time hires in a variety of fields, including sports management, finance, and marketing. However, these positions are thought to be extremely competitive.
What type of questions are asked in an internship interview?
- #1: Tell us a bit about yourself.
- #2: Why have you applied for this internship?
- #3: What motivated you to apply for an internship with our organization?
- #4: Why do you want to work in this industry?
- #5: What are your strengths?
- #6: How do you prioritise your work?
What are the top 5 questions to ask an interviewer for an internship?
- Can you tell me about the onboarding process? …
- Can you describe the company’s culture? …
- What are the main day-to-day responsibilities involved in this internship? .
- What are some essential qualities for successful interns?
What are the 10 most common internship interview questions and answers?
- Tell me about yourself. …
- Why are you interested in this internship? …
- What attracted you to our company? …
- What skills can you bring to the company? …
- Do you work better alone or with a team? …
- How would others describe you?
