INTERNSHIP INSIGHT: Joe Cusack Strengthens Career Path At UNC

BEVERLY, Mass. – Endicott College is a pioneer in requiring comprehensive internship experiences for undergraduate students in every program of study. Joe Cusack (Foxboro, Mass.), who is an exercise science major and a member of the men's soccer program, recently completed an internship in the athletics department at the University of North Carolina (UNC). Here's a look into his internship experience.

1) Why UNC? 

I chose UNC because of its prestigious history in collegiate athletics. Their success in athletics has made them a top destination for athletes everywhere. I knew working with their sports teams would be a great experience due to their student-athletes' work ethic and ability to uphold the programs' goals and expectations.

2) What was the process like to obtain your internship? 

The process was actually pretty straightforward. Thanks to Coach Dustin, I became familiar with a strength coach networking page on Instagram, where they post job openings from graduate assistant positions, to internships, to full-time jobs. On this site, I was able to see many internship opportunities from multiple schools around the country, and, from there, I applied to several. UNC was one of the schools to respond and after a phone call, and a later Zoom meeting, I was offered the position, and it was a position I simply couldn't turn down.

3) Describe your overall internship experience. 

My experience could not have been better. Being given the opportunity to work with so many talented athletes, and gifted strength coaches, was amazing for me professionally and personally. I'm very thankful for all of the opportunities the coaches gave me and their feedback along the way.

4) What have you learned from your internship? 

I've learned what it takes to be a strength coach at this level. I came in with no coaching experience, just the experiences I've had as an athlete. and didn't know what to expect when it came to the responsibilities and qualities it takes to be a successful coach, but have learned quite a lot about what it takes. Through this internship, I have learned what it takes to be a strength and conditioning coach. I asked questions and read books to enhance my knowledge. Additionally, I've learned that working with the coaches to develop different training methods and approaches tailored to improve critical aspects of the athlete's sport is beneficial.

5) How will this internship help you in your career moving forward? 

This internship allowed me to grow within the strength and conditioning profession. It helped me define my love for working as a strength and conditioning coach with collegiate/professional sports teams. Additionally, the connections I've made with many of the coaches at UNC have opened the door to continue to grow my career in the future.

6) What skills were you able to apply from your academic background at Endicott directly to this internship?

Many of the skills I used for this internship came from my kinesiology and exercise physiology classes. Understanding what muscles control what actions, and knowing the best angle to have said muscle in to train it the most efficiently is a big part of strength training. Understanding what happens in the body as a response to exercise on a nervous system level, not just muscular, is also a big part of strength and conditioning that must be understood properly by coaches in order to avoid overworking their athletes.

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(Photo Credit - David Le '10)