Michigan Olympic Sports Strength & Conditioning Internship Opportunities
Internship opportunities with the Michigan Olympic Sports Strength and Conditioning Department are currently offered on a semester and academic-year basis. These positions are voluntary, offering no monetary compensation. Every effort will be made to assist with meeting certain internship curriculum requirements.
Successful candidates will have the opportunity to interact with coaches and athletes at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics. This vital experience will aid interns by preparing them to meet the demands of graduate assistantships, fellowships, and future professional positions in the field of Strength and Conditioning. Our staff has demonstrated successful mentorship for dozens of active professionals in strength and conditioning as well as the broader fitness industry. After successful completion of our internship program, interns have earned a variety of positions at the high school and college level, including other Power 5 Schools, as well as in pro, tactical and private sectors.
Duties include assisting the Director, Assistant Director, Head, and Assistant coaches as well as Strength and Conditioning Fellows in all facets of the University of Michigan Olympic Sports Strength and Conditioning program. These duties include but are not limited to warm-ups, strength and speed/agility training, conditioning, athlete assessments and facility and equipment upkeep. Specific responsibilities will be based upon experience and education, as well as initiative and desire to learn.
Continuing education, being imperative to excelling as strength and conditioning professional, will be made readily available. Staff educational sessions will take place weekly, covering a variety of sports performance topics. Interns will not only be expected to attend, but be actively involved in these sessions as well.
Each successful candidate will serve as an integral member of the Strength and Conditioning Staff. The intern will report directly to the Volunteer Internship Coordinator and will work daily under all members of the Olympic Sports Strength and Conditioning staff. The integrity of our staff as an effective working unit is built upon a solid foundation of effective communication. Successful candidates are encouraged to ask questions and get the most out of their intern experience with Michigan Athletics.
Internship Qualifications
Required: Candidates must have a strong desire to become a Strength and Conditioning professional; Must be CPR certified; Must have completed or are working toward completing a bachelor’s degree at an accredited college/university; Must be able to volunteer a minimum of 30 hours per week with the strength and conditioning staff; Must be an assertive and effective verbal communicator. Other crucial characteristics of the successful candidate include punctuality; the ability to work alone and as a member of a team; the ability to follow instructions with a strong attention to detail, a strong work ethic; a positive attitude; and the ability to effectively operate within a diverse work environment.
Preferred:Â Educated in teaching and performing Olympic movements according to USA Weightlifting Guidelines; USA Weightlifting Level 1 coach; NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
*Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor any type of work visa for this internship opportunity.
Application
To apply for an internship with the University of Michigan Olympic Sports Strength and Conditioning Staff please email in one PDF document your cover letter, resume and references, along with a desired internship period in the body of the email to the following::
Volunteer Internship Coordinator
olympicstrength@umich.edu
734-936-4946
| Semester | Internship Term | Apply By |
| Fall | Late August-December | June 15 |
| Winter | January-April | October 15 |
| Spring/Summer | May-August | February 15 |
Testimonials
"The University of Michigan's Olympic Sport Strength and Conditioning internship is a unique program for those looking to become top tier strength and conditioning coaches. For me, this internship opened the door to many more opportunities in strength and conditioning and sport science than I initially imagined when I first started down this path. While I was there for almost a year, the staff provided a plethora of educational and practical experiences that helped develop me into the coach I am today. They truly want their interns to have a successful future and have set up a program that does just that."
-- Wesley Gawel, Doctoral Student Sport Physiology & Performance, East Tennessee State University
"Michigan's internship program was an integral part of my development as a strength and conditioning coach. The hands-on nature along with the extensive curriculum allowed me to be exposed to all the necessary traits in order to be successful in this field. The thing I appreciated most was having a set of coaches that were truly invested in my growth as a practitioner, coaches that I can rely on to this day for mentorship and friendship."
-- Allen Son, Director of Performance for Men's Basketball, Temple University
"Interning at Michigan was an incredibly impactful experience, catapulting my career in collegiate strength & conditioning. The thorough curriculum coupled with the guidance and mentorship from the entire staff was pivotal in my development as a young coach."
-- Michael Hanson, Assistant Athletic Performance Coach, University of Texas
"The staff at the University of Michigan takes the time to get to know you and help you figure out what kind of Strength coach you can become. I have found the relationships that were built to be invaluable and have assisted me as my career has progressed. Since the internship, I have used the knowledge gained to help me navigate my career opportunities in the field. I will be forever grateful for the mentorship and guidance I received from the coaches at Michigan."
-- Kaitlin Holman, SWA, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Limestone University
"The University of Michigan internship program was an incredible experience that served as an invaluable step toward my professional development as a strength and conditioning coach. The curriculum was highly structured and organized that took a systematic approach to covering various aspects of strength and conditioning, integrating evidence-based theory with practical experience. The program included the opportunity to work alongside highly experienced and knowledgeable strength and conditioning coaches who worked with a great student-athlete population in a diverse range of sports."
-- Eddie Yoon, Strength and Conditioning Coach, South Metro Fire Rescue
The University of Michigan, as an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action.
