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Coca-Cola Provides Professional Opportunity for Paralympic Athletes

Posted February 16, 2016  Athlete Highlight | Goalball

By: Amanda Weldon

The Coca-Cola Company is making great strides in supporting Team USA’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Paralympian and Women’s National Goalball Team member, Amanda Dennis (Peachtree, Ga.) fulfilled an internship with Coca-Cola this year. Dennis graduated from the University of Georgia last May with a degree in Sports Management. She competed in the 2012 Paralympic Games and is currently training for a spot on the Women’s National Team that will compete at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in September.

“This internship is a great opportunity to see what a professional job is really like,” said Dennis. “It gives you experience in the corporate world where you can experience a different environment than one of an athlete.”

Juggling training and college courses, Dennis was unable to take advantage of gaining professional work experience through an internship until last year.

“This internship is unique because not only do you gain experience, but Coca-Cola also gains from your insight and perspective as an athlete,” said Dennis.
Dennis’ internship with Coca-Cola gave her an opportunity to explore different aspects of the business, like brand activation, which she enjoyed most. Within brand activation, she learned about Coca-Cola’s role in The Olympic Partner (TOP) program.

“The internship caters to what you are interested in. There is potential for communications experience, experience in marketing – or even public relations if you want to go that route,” she said.

Overall, Dennis felt the connections she made were her most valuable takeaway. She also improved her communication skills by handling more responsibilities as the internship progressed.

As Dennis’ internship comes to a close, Coca-Cola is looking for their next Paralympic intern. The intern will work with internal teams, external partners, and agencies, and report to the Director of Olympic Games Management. The intern will manage responsibilities with the International Olympic Committee Athlete Career and Education Program expansion project, contribute to Coca-Cola community programs, assist in integrated marketing communications campaign development for brand Powerade, support the development of various experiential marketing programs for Rio, and contribute to day-to-day partnership management between The Coca-Cola Company and International Olympic Committee.

Amanda encourages other athletes to apply for this unique and exciting opportunity.

“It is fun! I’m always learning something new.”


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