Grand Slam Intern

By Matt Hawkins

A summer in Dozer Park’s press box is yielding unexpected career experiences for marketing major Dana Bell ‘15, a Peoria Chiefs’ social media intern this season.

Chatsworth, Illinois native Bell didn’t consider sports marketing until a job fair on campus, where a conversation with Chiefs’ staff changed her mind.

“This was a chance to do something I never expected to do,” Bell said. “I didn’t think I’d enjoy working in the sports industry, but I realized how great an opportunity this would be to expand my network.”

On game nights, Bell is the invisible hand behind fan engagement efforts. She picks music to blast from the stadium PA system and runs the video board. She also develops in-game social media contests.

The frenetic pace may be exhausting at times, but Bell says coworkers keep the atmosphere lively.

“While a job may be professional, that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with it,” she said. “My coworkers have become a family in just a short time because of the long hours we spend at the ballpark. They have showed me we can have fun and be productive at the same time.”

The collegial, collaborative work environment also has taught Bell the value of relationally oriented workplaces.

“I now can say my ideal career will be one where I’m recognized as a person and not just another number,” she said. “Plus, I want to find a job where I can have fun in a professional setting.”