Her Double Major Led to a Life-Changing Internship

Senior Clara Bush has never been one to take the easy road. She started her first semester at Bradley as a marketing major, but kept hearing great things about the Sports Communication program—and it piqued her interest. After looking into it further, she decided to add it as a second major.

“I knew that double majoring in two colleges—the Foster College of Business and the Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts—would take time and strategic planning to meet all the requirements, but I was determined,” Bush said. “I’m so grateful I did. It has given me the chance to truly get the most out of my education these past four years.”

Soon after joining the Sports Communication program, one of her professors, the now-retired Dr. Paul Gullifor, encouraged her to reach out to the Athletics Department to see if they needed help. They happened to be piloting a new intern program, and Bush became one of the first students hired to support social media.

“It has been the absolute best experience,” she said. “I’ve learned more than I thought possible, and I feel incredibly prepared for my career. There’s no other way I would’ve wanted to spend my college years.”

As a social media intern, Bush gets to put her passion for photography to work—something she has loved since receiving her first camera at age 10. “I wasn’t sure if photography would be part of my journey, but I was excited for the chance to shoot sports,” she explained. “I get to capture athletes’ achievements and tell their stories. It’s such a unique opportunity, and one I don’t take for granted.”

Although Bush didn’t participate in competitive sports herself, she grew up watching her brother compete and her dad coach, often sitting in the dugout or on the sideline with the team. She now sees how those behind-the-scenes experiences shaped her path at Bradley.

While she primarily covers men’s basketball, baseball, and soccer, Bush supports all 15 Division I teams as needed. The role is demanding—she often works up to 35 hours a week—but she credits it with preparing her for the fast pace of the industry. “This internship has taught me everything I need to know to start in the field as a full-time professional,” she said.

Balancing a full course load with a heavy work schedule has sharpened her time-management skills. “You sacrifice the typical college experience for industry and career experience,” she said. “I work weekends, nights, and during the day, so fitting in time with friends and relaxation has to be intentional.”

Bush also credits marketing professor Heidi Rottier for helping her navigate her academic and professional journey. “I couldn’t have succeeded in completing a double major in four years without her,” she said. “She’s helped me connect with sports industry professionals and guided me in so many different areas.”

Despite her busy schedule, Bush still finds ways to stay involved on campus. She serves as vice president of the Sports Girls Club, is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies, works as an Advancement Student Ambassador, and serves on the Slane College of Communications Dean’s Advisory Council.

“Every day, I’m grateful the Athletics Department took a chance on a random freshman who reached out and offered to take photos,” she said. “That single opportunity changed my life.”

—Emily Potts