Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

About the Ascend HBCU Internship Program

The Ascend HBCU Internship Program is a cornerstone of OVG’s commitment to fostering diverse talent and creating pathways into the sports and live entertainment industry. Designed specifically for students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, this immersive program offers hands-on experience, professional development, and mentorship to prepare students for impactful careers.

Program Highlights

• Career Readiness Workshops: Students will participate in sessions designed to equip them with essential tools and strategies for entering the workforce with confidence.
• Mentorship: Each intern will be paired with an OVG leader who will provide guidance, support, and insights into their career journey.
• Capstone Project: Interns will collaborate on a project addressing real-world challenges in sports and entertainment, honing their problem-solving, teamwork, and strategic thinking skills.
• Lunch & Learn Series: Students will engage with industry experts during company-wide sessions to gain a deeper understanding of the business.
• Capstone Showcase: The program culminates with interns presenting their capstone projects, celebrating their achievements and demonstrating the knowledge and skills they’ve acquired.

Internship details:

• Pay: $13.00 to $14.00/hr
• Not to exceed 20 hours per week
• Internship Dates: Spring/Summer 2025 (January - August)
• Location: VSU Multi-Purpose Center, on Virginia State University campus

This position will remain open until April 14, 2025.

The VSU Multi-Purpose Center is a state-of-the-art multipurpose venue located on the campus of Virginia State University, in South Chesterfield, VA. The arena is able to seat more than 6,000 guests, making it the largest events venue located south of Richmond in the state of Virginia. The amenities-packed arena serves as a full entertainment facility hosting athletic events, commencements, live concerts, family shows, trade shows, and more. Formally opening its doors to the public in March of 2016, the VSU Multi-Purpose Center is home to the Virginia State University Trojans Basketball and Volleyball teams. The MPC is managed by OVG, which is a full-service venue management and hospitality company that helps client-partners reimagine the sports, live entertainment, and convention industries for the betterment of the venue, employees, artists, athletes, and surrounding communities.

1. Administration: Assist with general administrative support to various departments within the arena, including scheduling meetings, maintaining documentation, and assisting with special projects as needed.
2. Event Operations: Assist in the planning and execution of events hosted at the arena, including concerts, sporting events, and community gatherings. Responsibilities may include coordinating logistics, liaising with vendors, and ensuring smooth event operations.
3. Facilities Management: Gain insight into the maintenance and upkeep of arena facilities. Assist in conducting facility inspections, identifying maintenance needs, and coordinating repairs and improvements as necessary.
4. Guest Experience: Learn about providing exceptional guest experiences to internal and external arena guests. This includes management of part-time arena team members as well as guest inquiries, resolving issues, and ensuring a positive experience for all.
5. Parking and Transportation: Learn about coordinating parking logistics, optimizing transportation services, and ensuring smooth traffic flow during events. Assist in parking management, transportation coordination, traffic control, data analytics, vendor management, and guest services.
6. Security and Safety: Learn about maintaining a safe and secure environment for arena patrons and staff. Assist in implementing security protocols, conducting safety inspections, and coordinating emergency response procedures
7. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
8.  

• Able to lift 50+ pounds or more
• Must be enrolled full-time at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) at the time of the program start
• Must be able to stay on campus or be near VSU during the summer
• Must be detail oriented, have strong organizational skills
• Ability to multitask and handle several tasks simultaneously
• Must possess strong leadership skills and be a team player.
• Able to work various hours, including daytime office hours, holidays, evenings and weekends.

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.