INTERNSHIP REFLECTION: PARTNERSHIPS (MIKAYLA DIB)
STUDENT NAME: | Mikayla Dib |
DEPARTMENT: | Partnerships |
CONTRIBUTION: What were 3 key ways that you contributed to this department during your internship?
New Business Support: I was trusted to get involved in all-things-new business in a really hands-on way. I was able to work closely with the Partnership Sales team to contribute to the Eels' pipeline of potential, new partners.
Game Day & Partner Activations: I got involved in Game Day operations and activations, supporting the team to make sure partners had a smooth experience on the day. This meant helping with the behind-the-scenes details that partners don’t always see but rely on, and learning how the team prepares, adapts and delivers in a live environment.
Partnership Deliverables and Mid-Year Reporting: I had the opportunity to support the Partnership Managers with delivering on what had been promised to partners for the 2026 season. I was also able to assist this team with keeping track of what had been already delivered so that mid-year reports could be completed accurately and efficiently.
NETWORKING: Who were 3 key people that you built connections with during this internship?
Charlotte Hynes (Head of Partnerships & Sales)
Adam Searle (Partnerships Marketing Specialist)
George Clinton (Partnerships Manager)
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING: What were 3 key things that you learnt about the sporting industry during this internship?
Partnerships is much broader than I realised: Before this internship, I thought that partnerships in sport was focused on servicing sponsors. I quickly learnt that it also includes new business, from identifying opportunities to building relationships with potential partners and working towards bringing them on board. Seeing this side of the industry showed me just how many different skills and roles sit within one department.
Strong relationships are the foundation: Successful partnership management is built on maintaining strong relationships with partners and consistently delivering on commitments. Whether it was game day activations, partnership deliverables or mid-year reporting, I saw that every detail behind the scenes matters because partners need to trust that what has been promised will be delivered. That trust is built over time through consistency, communication and attention to detail.
Being supported by a good team makes all the difference: Everyone in the Partnerships team at the Eels was willing to involve me, share their knowledge and trust me with responsibility. Being able to sit in, listen, ask questions and contribute showed me how much a strong, supportive team shapes both the quality of the work and your growth in the industry. Sport is a fast-paced environment and the people around you are what make it possible to consistently deliver at a high level.
PERSONAL LEARNING: What was ONE key thing that you learnt about yourself / your career goals during this internship?
This internship confirmed that Partnerships is the area of the sport industry that I want to build my career in. I went in with a strong interest in Partnerships (after hearing a Guest Speaker session from Charlotte earlier in the year), but I didn’t know if the day-to-day reality would match it until I did this internship. Being trusted to get involved in game days, partner deliverables, reporting and new business showed me that I thrive when I’m hands-on, asking questions and contributing to real work; you won't find me on the sidelines.
I also learnt that I’m drawn to the many sides of Partnerships, from new business to building and maintaining existing relationships. Instead of being daunted by the amount of detail and effort that goes into Partnerships behind the scenes, I was invigorated by it and that made me feel even more certain that a career path in Partnerships is absolutely for me!
