Northwestern University Athletics
Schmitz Laces Up for Under Armour, NU
9/11/2015 11:00:00 AM | General, Women's Cross Country & Track, David G. Kabiller NU for Life Program
By Preston Michelson, Northwestern Correspondent
Ellen Schmitz gets up at 5:45 a.m. She readies herself, ties her shoes, puts on her clothes — all Under Armour. Then she gets to running.
This is a typical experience for the junior on the Northwestern cross country team. But, in this case, she is beginning her day in Baltimore, working as an intern with Under Armour, the outfitter for Northwestern Athletics.
This summer, Schmitz worked with the global communications department of the company. She says it is her dream job.
"I was definitely on the right track with what I was doing this summer," Schmitz said. "It's what I want to do in the future. I enjoy sports, obviously, so it was really cool to do both."
One of her most long-term tasks was working on the public relations campaign for the release of the Armour Bra Collection. She was part of the team that would pitch the apparel to publications, coordinate the Internet release, and, at the end of the day, try to get consumers to buy the gear.
"I enjoy a team environment and encouraging each other. We call each other teammates. Even onboarding was called preseason training," Schmitz said. "At Under Armour, you have a really big part in what's going on and I came in at a time when they're making history and they're still making a name for themselves."
In addition to her long-term project, she wrote a couple of press releases, giving her real-world communications experience. One was about the 606 Trail in Chicago, which Schmitz was excited to write about because it mixed her favorite things: running and Chicago.
She also helped with writing talking points for press conferences for Under Armour-sponsored athletes, including one for former Northwestern golfer Matt Fitzpatrick.
But more than the specific, public relations-based tasks, Schmitz said she appreciated the fact that interns were encouraged to schedule time with Under Armour employees and simply ask them about their job.
"I met with someone who works for collegiate marketing," Schmitz said. "As I run for Northwestern, I wanted to know how this works from the other side. It took a little bit of time to get comfortable enough [to ask for meetings], but once I did, everyone was so receptive."
Schmitz said that running cross country at Northwestern readied her for this professional experience, especially in creating a routine. Having the free time in the offseason allowed her to explore the area around the Under Armour headquarters, especially visiting Washington, D.C., on multiple occasions.
More than anything else, Schmitz said, being around the fellow interns made her experience that much better.
"Working for Under Armour in general is awesome. Working for Under Armour with 100 people your age who are just as excited and passionate is even better," she said.
It took Schmitz about four months from start to finish to secure this internship with Under Armour. She said that her resources at NU For Life were instrumental.
During one of her interviews, she recalls using the desk of Julie Hammer, Assistant A.D. for Career Enhancement & Employer Relations at Northwestern, because it gave her a more secure Internet connection and a more comfortable locale. She also utilized NU For Life for additional information and preparation for the internship.
"Under Armour's selection process for their Summer League internship program is extremely competitive, and Ellen clearly stood out in order to gain a spot in the program," said Scott Koenning, Assistant Director of Career Enhancement and Employer Relations. "There is no doubt that her experience as a student-athlete at Northwestern, excelling in the classroom while committing to 20 hours of weekly training and competition for cross country, prepared her to make at impact this summer at Under Armour."
NU for Life is a unique program dedicated to the professional development of Northwestern student-athletes. It provides student-athletes the opportunity to explore professional possibilities by capitalizing on the knowledge and network of former student-athletes, friends of Wildcat Athletics and companies looking to invest in the most talented recent graduates.
"It was so cool to work for a company that I represent when I compete," Schmitz said. "That's why I wanted to work for them."
Ellen Schmitz gets up at 5:45 a.m. She readies herself, ties her shoes, puts on her clothes — all Under Armour. Then she gets to running.
This is a typical experience for the junior on the Northwestern cross country team. But, in this case, she is beginning her day in Baltimore, working as an intern with Under Armour, the outfitter for Northwestern Athletics.
This summer, Schmitz worked with the global communications department of the company. She says it is her dream job.
"I was definitely on the right track with what I was doing this summer," Schmitz said. "It's what I want to do in the future. I enjoy sports, obviously, so it was really cool to do both."
One of her most long-term tasks was working on the public relations campaign for the release of the Armour Bra Collection. She was part of the team that would pitch the apparel to publications, coordinate the Internet release, and, at the end of the day, try to get consumers to buy the gear.
"I enjoy a team environment and encouraging each other. We call each other teammates. Even onboarding was called preseason training," Schmitz said. "At Under Armour, you have a really big part in what's going on and I came in at a time when they're making history and they're still making a name for themselves."
In addition to her long-term project, she wrote a couple of press releases, giving her real-world communications experience. One was about the 606 Trail in Chicago, which Schmitz was excited to write about because it mixed her favorite things: running and Chicago.
She also helped with writing talking points for press conferences for Under Armour-sponsored athletes, including one for former Northwestern golfer Matt Fitzpatrick.
But more than the specific, public relations-based tasks, Schmitz said she appreciated the fact that interns were encouraged to schedule time with Under Armour employees and simply ask them about their job.
"I met with someone who works for collegiate marketing," Schmitz said. "As I run for Northwestern, I wanted to know how this works from the other side. It took a little bit of time to get comfortable enough [to ask for meetings], but once I did, everyone was so receptive."
Schmitz said that running cross country at Northwestern readied her for this professional experience, especially in creating a routine. Having the free time in the offseason allowed her to explore the area around the Under Armour headquarters, especially visiting Washington, D.C., on multiple occasions.
More than anything else, Schmitz said, being around the fellow interns made her experience that much better.
"Working for Under Armour in general is awesome. Working for Under Armour with 100 people your age who are just as excited and passionate is even better," she said.
It took Schmitz about four months from start to finish to secure this internship with Under Armour. She said that her resources at NU For Life were instrumental.
During one of her interviews, she recalls using the desk of Julie Hammer, Assistant A.D. for Career Enhancement & Employer Relations at Northwestern, because it gave her a more secure Internet connection and a more comfortable locale. She also utilized NU For Life for additional information and preparation for the internship.
"Under Armour's selection process for their Summer League internship program is extremely competitive, and Ellen clearly stood out in order to gain a spot in the program," said Scott Koenning, Assistant Director of Career Enhancement and Employer Relations. "There is no doubt that her experience as a student-athlete at Northwestern, excelling in the classroom while committing to 20 hours of weekly training and competition for cross country, prepared her to make at impact this summer at Under Armour."
NU for Life is a unique program dedicated to the professional development of Northwestern student-athletes. It provides student-athletes the opportunity to explore professional possibilities by capitalizing on the knowledge and network of former student-athletes, friends of Wildcat Athletics and companies looking to invest in the most talented recent graduates.
"It was so cool to work for a company that I represent when I compete," Schmitz said. "That's why I wanted to work for them."
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