Internship Profile: NASCAR at Atlanta Motor Speedway

Some college students' intern for law offices, publication newsrooms or organizational businesses. Molly Jackson's internship was one that is not easy to come by. For about six months, she participated in an internship for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, better known as NASCAR.

From June 2008 through January 2009, Jackson worked in the promotions and public relations department of the Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS). Her main responsibility was to work on the media guide, which Jackson describes as, "this huge book full of stats and information on every NASCAR race and every NASCAR driver who has driven at Atlanta Motor Speedway." She claims her work on the media guide took a month to complete because of all the statistics. Jackson also wrote and proofed press releases, which informed fans about the upcoming race at AMS in March 2009. During the actual race weekend in March, she assisted journalists with getting them in touch with whom they needed to talk to and helped with pressers when the drivers came in to talk about the races.

After race weekend, tasks started to slow down, but only for a short time. Jackson started preparing for the Summer Series almost as soon as race weekend was over. This is where Legends cars race on Thursday and then there is Friday Night Drags. Summer Series goes on all summer (hence the name). Jackson helped with the media guide again with the Summer Series. She also contributed in brainstorming ways to get the community involved and have people come to the track to watch the series.

Jackson said, "My favorite part of the internship had to be during race weekend. I am very big NASCAR fan, so this allowed me to see a different side of the sport." She had always wanted to do public relations for NASCAR, so when she found out how do internships, she seized the opportunity at once. Jackson said that she applied to several tracks, but AMS was the first to call her back.

Jackson explained to me that you "go, go, go" until race weekend, and then there is a long break until next race. I learned NASCAR is a very complicated sport and incredibly competitive when it comes to jobs. She said, "One minute you are in, the next you are out."

Many lessons are learned at internships, and Jackson learned a few of her own. "I learned to never go in thinking you know what the day will bring, always be on your toes, and be prepared for calls from the media." Jackson is confident that after working at AMS, she is ready for a job in the real world. She also learned that the "real world" is not an easy place to be; you have rent, utilities, and groceries to pay for. She said, "When you have an internship that doesn't pay, you become an adult quickly. It was a great learning experience because now I know how to handle my money and I am prepared for what the future holds for me."

Jackson had the privilege to take part in a very unique internship, and she gained a lot of experience and knowledge about a sport she has always had a vested interest in. She emphasized, "I got to experience firsthand what goes on during the [race] weekend and how important it is to prepare and have things go smoothly. Now when I watch a race on the television, I know what happened to get to that day.