Career center sends CC interns to the Olympics

The Olympics are underway and many CC students are taking the time to watch the games unfold on TV sets and computer screens across campus. Two students, however, are getting a much closer and hands-on Olympic experience this year as United States Olympic Committee interns.

Current student Britney Moore and ’09 graduate Charlie Paddock have been assisting the Games Division of the USOC since December, as part of an internship that the Career Center organized for the games in Torino, Beijing, and now Vancouver.

“The work and experiences I have had so far with the US Olympic Committee are unlike anything I have ever been involved with before,” Moore said in an e-mail. “My internship has definitely made me reconsider my future plans following college. Though I cannot say I am exactly sure what I plan on doing, I am now considering a career in the sports field, whether it is in marketing, development or administration.”

In the past, the internship has targeted students in language departments, but this year it was open to all students and recent graduates. 

“The timing really impacted who was able to do it,” Andrea Culp, who organizes the internship through the Career Center, said. “Having to take off essentially three blocks to do it means that not every current student is able to.” 

According to Culp, previous CC students have made a good impression on the USOC. 

“We’re very fortunate that because [the USOC] had such a positive experience, that they wanted to do it again,” she said.

The games have been keeping Moore and Paddock extremely busy. 

“Since arriving, I would say things have been fast-paced, but definitely fun,” Moore said.

Moore worked with the Ticketing Coordinator in December, which entailed counting, sorting and verifying the purchase of over 14,000 tickets valued at $2.2 million.

“Interestingly, we were the only National Organizing Committee to show up without an armored truck and body guards to escort us to the airport,” she said. 

Moore has been living in Canada since January, and worked with Team Processing, handing out uniforms and running an information desk. Her job has put her in contact with famous athletes like Dan O’Brien, the gold medalist in ’96 for the decathlon, and Apolo Anton Ohno, the gold medalist speed skater.

Paddock has been out of contact, and Culp explained that he is in charge of transportation for the US delegation, which keeps him on the move. 

“He has been just busier than busy,” Culp said.

Students who have participated in the internship opportunity call the Olympics a life-changing opportunity. 

“For me, it’s amazing that athletes from around the world can come together for two weeks and compete on a fair, equal playing field,” Moore said. “With so many political and personal issues set aside, even if only temporarily, many people involved in the Olympic movement believe that the Olympics are just about the closest thing to ‘peace on earth.’ Sure, that’s a bold statement, but in reality I feel that there’s some truth to that belief.”