Navigating the Seattle Mariners Internship Program: A Comprehensive Guide

The Seattle Mariners internships provide an exciting pathway for students and recent graduates who want to step inside the world of Major League Baseball and gain meaningful professional experience. As part of a well-known MLB franchise, interns are introduced to the inner workings of a large sports organization while developing skills that are valuable in sports and non-sports careers alike. Unlike traditional internships that focus mainly on observation, Seattle Mariners internships emphasize hands-on involvement. Interns actively contribute to department goals, assist with ongoing projects, and support day-to-day operations.

Diverse Opportunities Across Departments

Seattle Mariners internship opportunities span a wide range of departments, reflecting the many functions required to run a successful MLB franchise. Interns may find roles in marketing, social media, graphic design, communications, sponsorships, ticket sales, finance, analytics, community outreach, or baseball operations. This diversity allows interns to align their academic background with practical experience while exploring different career options.

Partnership Activation Intern Role

One specific example is the Partnership Activation Intern role within the Corporate Partnerships department. Reporting to the Sr. Director Corporate Sponsorship Strategy & Activation, this seasonal, non-exempt position focuses on assisting in the execution of partnership activation plans that deliver effective results and support the growth and retention of Seattle Mariners corporate partners. The Partnership Activation Intern will assist in the execution of partnership activation plans that deliver effective results and support the growth and retention of Seattle Mariners corporate partners. This role is ideal for a motivated individual eager to learn the foundations of client service, partnership fulfillment, and event execution within the fast-paced sports industry. The intern will play a key role in helping the Activation Team delivery world-class partnership experiences and will embody a collaborative and solution-oriented mindset in line with the Mariners Vision.

Essential Functions of a Partnership Activation Intern

The essential functions of this role are varied and provide a comprehensive introduction to partnership management. These include:

Assisting the Partnership Activation Team with day-of-game partnership activation, including managing on-site partner promotions, giveaways, hospitality events, and in-game signage checks.
Supporting in the development of mid-season and post-season recap decks, incorporating partner assets, photos, and performance metrics.
Helping Activation Specialists, Managers and Account Managers with the fulfillment of partner contractual elements and provide general administrative support as needed.
Working with internal departments such as Marketing, Ballpark Operations, and Community Relations to help ensure seamless execution of partner programs.
Assisting with preparing partnership presentations and recaps using team data, partner insights, and industry research.
Coordinating logistics and support for partner-related events, including Spring Training activations, batting practices, networking events, and hospitality outings.
Helping track and organize partner creative submissions, approvals, and deadlines.
Supporting the activation team in gathering ROI and ROO data and reporting on partnership campaign success.
Participating in brainstorming sessions to enhance current partnership offerings and improve fan and partner engagement.
Researching current sports and entertainment marketing trends to provide innovative suggestions to the team.

General Requirements and Qualifications

Internship positions with the Seattle Mariners are generally open to current college students, graduate students, and recent graduates. While qualifications vary by role, successful applicants typically demonstrate strong interest, reliability, and a willingness to learn.

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Education and Experience

For many internships, including the Partnership Activation Intern role, current enrollment in, or recent completion of, a Bachelor’s degree program is expected. A focus in Sports Management, Marketing, Business, Communications, or a related field is preferred. Bachelor’s degree preferred. Public research and work experience may be considered in lieu of education requirements if approved by management.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA’s)

Specific skills and abilities are highly valued. For example, the Partnership Activation Intern role emphasizes:

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel) and basic knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite is preferred.
Strong verbal and written communication skills; able to interact professionally with team members, partners, and guests.
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
A collaborative, proactive, and positive attitude with a strong attention to detail.
Eagerness to learn from a team-oriented environment and contribute new ideas.
Ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment and willingness to assist with game-day and event responsibilities.
Strong interest in sports and partnership marketing.

Essential Soft Skills

Regardless of the specific role, certain soft skills and personal attributes are consistently sought after by the Seattle Mariners. These include:

Authenticity and Awareness: Exemplifying the highest standards of professionalism and ethics, demonstrating a dedication to doing the right thing and treating everyone with respect. Being self-aware and open to feedback, with the ability to speak the truth with positive intent, fostering a culture of honesty and building trust with the team.
Communication and Collaboration: Valuing others and their views, actively engaging and partnering with team members. Seeking clarity and sharing information transparently, fostering a collaborative environment while influencing others and aligning support. Excelling in seeking out and leveraging the right resources, engaging in teamwork with a positive and productive approach.
Execution with Purpose: Taking action and demonstrating accountability, leading with a sense of urgency and dedication to achieving results. Setting and meeting challenging expectations for themselves and others, making timely, data-driven decisions and taking ownership of outcomes. Being approachable, engaged, and committed; setting a positive tone and caring deeply about the organization.
Adaptability and Innovation: Acting boldly, fostering innovation, and supporting transformational change. Leveraging analysis and insights, developing new directions and solutions, identifying opportunities for improvement and displaying a commitment to fixing them. Demonstrating an ongoing commitment to learning and self-development, overcoming challenges constructively and adjusting effectively to shifting priorities and rapid change.
Competent in required job skills and knowledge.
Completes work assignments thoroughly and completely in an accurate and prompt manager.
Identifies and corrects errors.

Baseball Operations Internship

Another area of focus for internships is within Baseball Operations. The primary objective here is often to provide coordination, support, and assistance to the Baseball Operations department in research, administration, and day-to-day scouting operation tasks.

Skills for Baseball Operations

These internships often require:

Working knowledge of statistical baseball data and its application as it pertains to scouting information and baseball strategy.
Strong technical skills in predictive modeling, data analysis, and research.
Basic Spanish proficiency is preferred.

Minor League Development Internship

For those interested in player development, Minor League Development Internships offer a unique opportunity. These roles are responsible for coordinating day-to-day video and technology operations associated with assigned Minor League teams. Prior experience with BATS video charting software, TruMedia, PitchBase, Portable Trackman, Edgertronic cameras, etc. is highly valuable.

Timeline Considerations

The timeline for Seattle Mariners internships can vary. For example, a Baseball Operations internship might run from March through mid-October. Minor League Development Internships often require availability starting in early March. The Partnership Activation Intern role requires the ability to work flexible hours, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays, based on the Mariners' home game schedule and partner-related events.

Timeline: March 1, 2026 through mid-October 2026.
Must be available to start by March 3rd, 2025.

Physical Requirements

Certain roles may have physical requirements. For instance, a Partnership Activation Intern must be able to lift up to 25lbs and stand for extended periods during events or activations.

Compensation and Benefits

The Mariners are committed to providing competitive pay, perks, and benefits packages for our valued Team Members. All perks are subject to eligibility requirements and availability and may be modified or amended from time to time.

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