His job with the Saints was the first he got after the application wave, and he spent the summer after his second year at CHS Field recruiting fans to participate in midway minigames. That same summer, Santelman worked in guest services for the Vikings, selling merchandise, chauffeuring fans and giving instructions. Santelman is now working with the Timberwolves this season. He hosts club events and checks wristbands, and once even walked Vikings star Justin Jefferson to his seat. And Santelman is succeeding. He was named MVP of all Vikings interns and received his own custom jersey and plaque along with a chance to meet the franchise’s ownership group. “It was a unique experience to be on the field and see your hard work recognized,” says Santelman, “Yes, it meant a lot.”
Each of these internships provided important learning opportunities for Santelman. He learned valuable lessons in teamwork with the Saints, a strong work ethic with the Vikings and built relationships with club members at Wolves games. Despite apparently achieving his dream of working and being part of a sports organization, Santelman realized that the career path was not right for now. During internships, he would often start work at 3:30 p.m. and last until 10 or 11 p.m., but Santelman felt the schedule and hours were unsustainable. Although his passion for sports remains, Santelman is adjusting his goals after the lessons he learned in sports marketing. He recently began working full-time as a brand and marketing intern at NorthRock Partners, a financial advisory firm in Minneapolis. Santelman still hopes that sports can be incorporated into his advancement goals as he begins to pursue a career before graduation. His dream job is still to become president of a professional sports team, and a job in marketing for a wealth management company could connect him to sports, since many professional athletes hire from such companies. “These internships have made me think more about what I want to do in the future and have helped me realize what I am worth and what I can do with my Bethel education,” says Santelman.
Bethel proved to be an ideal place for Santelman to attend college. As he pursued his interest in sports and marketing, Bethel’s location – about 20 minutes from Minneapolis and St. Paul – put him close to the state’s professional sports teams. And thanks to Bethel’s size, Santelman has found countless opportunities to get involved on campus. He participated in BethelBiz, a program that brings together business and communications students with former mentors in their respective fields. Santelman also sings in the Bethel Choir and is currently the choir’s student president. As he balances his internship and his campus involvement, he is grateful to work with flexible professors who care about their students. When he had to miss class or rehearsal to work a Timberwolves game, his teachers and conductors were accommodating, allowing him to make up for what he missed. This helped Santelman maintain high grades despite his many commitments. “The communications department as a whole has been very understanding,” says Santelman. “That’s something I appreciate about the small school vibe.
