Employer Description:
Founded in 2002, Soccer Shots is recognized as the premier intro to soccer provider throughout the United States, with a specific focus on children ages 2-8. Through franchising and a commitment to strong systems and training programs, Soccer Shots is now offered in over 170 territories in over 34 states around the US and Canada. Over 1.5 million children have been impacted by Soccer Shots.

Soccer Shots is consistently recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as a Top 500 Franchise and has been named the #1 Children’s Fitness Program in multiple years. Rankings are made based on categories such as financial strength and stability, growth rate, size of the system, years in business, and start-up costs.

Local Franchise:
Dan and Anna Larson, owners of the local Soccer Shots franchise called “Soccer Shots Twin Cities East” were the first to begin Soccer Shots operations in Minnesota 10 years ago. The business operates in over 350 locations around the Twin Cities including Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, Washington, and St. Croix counties. The Company offers year-round Soccer Shots programs serving over 18,000 participants annually and employs approximately 50 employees.

Primary Internship Site: 680 Hale Ave, Suite 160, Oakdale MN 55128; remote work is typical



Professional Development Value:
Soccer Shots is a leader in leaving a lasting, positive impact on the youth it serves. Through the game of soccer, children learn creative play and character skills. With supervision from the Soccer Shots Leadership Team, the student intern will be exposed to a successful franchise system and the inner workings of a small business while increasing proficiency in marketing and delivering an athletic program to youth. In addition, the student intern will receive GiANT Worldwide leadership training and mentorship.

Academic and Experiential Objectives:
The student intern will be required to handle and present themselves in a professional manner, consistently arriving on time to assigned office hours, coaching sessions, and events. They will be expected to assist in the overall execution of a Soccer Shots season and will gain knowledge in the planning, scheduling, sales/marketing, customer service, and management side of the business. Throughout the season, the intern will have the opportunity to execute the Soccer Shots marketing plan through digital, print, community outreach and sales. The student intern will also participate in instructing Soccer Shots sessions, giving them experience in coaching youth and working with parents and directors of childcare centers.

Obtaining Academic/College Credit:
This internship experience may or may not already be an approved academic credit internship with your school. Please make sure to notify us immediately if you are seeking academic credit through your school for this experience. With your help, Soccer Shots will work directly with your school’s registrar, your academic advisor, or your school’s internship/career department to allow this internship experience to count for academic credit.

Responsibilities (can include but are not limited to):

Marketing/Customer Service:
· Prepare and distribute marketing print documents
· Participate in social media content and communication
· Marketing video/photo projects
· First day of season park opening and promotion
· Assist with/implement coach recruitment ideas and procedures
Administrative/Support:
· Assist in the preparation and mailing children’s jerseys
· Assist in preparation of coach pre-season training meeting
· Correspond with parents, center directors and city park contacts
· Participate in pre-season and in-season website maintenance
· Assist in overall execution of the scheduled Soccer Shots season
Professional Leadership Development:
· Receive weekly 1:1 leadership training from members of Soccer Shots Leadership Team
· Attend Director and Round Table discussions and staff meetings/trainings, as available
· Coach sessions throughout the season receiving CPR, special needs, and class management training
· The intern will have the opportunity to organize and coordinate an annual Soccer Shots camp, which is an important aspect of Soccer Shots community outreach


Goals & Evaluation method:
A performance evaluation will occur at 4 weeks and at the conclusion of the internship experience. The evaluation will consider the following general areas of professional operations and specific intern goals within each area:

1. Core Values
2. Core Skills
a. Attitude
b. Effort
c. Initiative
d. Productivity
e. Communication
f. Professionalism

3. Job Specific Skills
a. Planning
b. Business Development
c. Marketing
d. Coaching
e. Administration

Continuing formal and informal supervision will occur between the intern and the onsite supervisors. Clear and open communication will occur on an ongoing and as needed basis, with weekly in-person meetings and check-ins via email or phone call.

Internship Structure and Compensation:

The Soccer Shots internship will vary on the season of the internship. In general, it will encompass a minimum of 480 hours over a 6-month period. Internship seasons are as follows:


Spring and Summer Season: starting as early as March and concluding end of August
The internship will include 12-24 consecutive work weeks with a range of 20-30-hour work weeks for the duration of the internship. Hours the student intern will be required to be available to work will be Tuesday-Friday from 11:00am-7:00pm and Saturday from 8am-2pm. The number of hours and days may vary per week and can be determined by supervisor’s and the intern’s schedule. If your need is less than the proposed hours, please do not hesitate to communicate that with us. Additional events may arise for you to attend, but we will work to communicate these dates and times in advance.

The intern will be compensated based on number of hours assigned to internship. The intern will be paid $16 per hour for marketing/admin, and coach training related work and $20 per hour for coaching once the student intern has completed coach training. Coaching sessions will be scheduled within proximity of the intern’s residence if possible. 12-15 sessions will be coached during the current season. The intern may use company car for further assignments as approved by supervisor.