UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Azziyah LaRue, a fourth-year student double majoring in sociology and security and risk analysis with a minor in information sciences and technology, interned with the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium this past summer.

The Glen Burnie, Maryland, native knew she had one goal for entering her internship: learn as much as possible. Her internship with the Miami Dolphins did just that and more, giving LaRue her first experience within the world of organized sports technology work.

“Coming into the internship, I was a normal football fan and super happy to just go to the stadium every day,” said LaRue, a first-generation college student. “Through my internship, how I see football has expanded. I got to see the different departments all work together to put on these big football events, from departments such as recruiting and merchandise to technology and security and more — there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes that most people do not know about.”

The internship brought LaRue to Miami, where she lived 15 minutes from the stadium in housing that was provided to all of the interns at a subsidized rate.

“It was really cool getting to live in such a close place all together, literally next door to one of 14 other interns,” LaRue said. “Everyone came from out of state, so it gave us a chance to get to know one another, as well as learn what their assigned department was in charge of.”

LaRue — who also is working on certificates in information security systems and national security agency — worked with the Dolphins’ information technology department, where she conducted research about different software systems that could be integrated into the current systems of the stadium to increase efficiency and productivity.

“A lot of my research culminated in meeting with different software companies and conducting meetings with them to see what was best for the stadium,” LaRue said. “Some of my work also allowed me to work Rolling Loud Miami’s [an annual hip-hop festival hosted at Hard Rock Stadium] point and sell systems, where I helped troubleshoot the different concert venues’ technical difficulties.”

During her time as an intern, LaRue worked on a final group project with other departmental interns to create an event for the stadium’s new Paddock Club, a luxury experience for people interested in the Miami Grand Prix. Their teamwork and creative input resulted in a pitch for an e-sporting stadium event for next summer.

“Our group decided that having an event for gaming with preexisting sponsors of the Miami Dolphins would help bring people of all ages together, especially our younger audiences. The interaction among fans is what brings Miami fans closer,” LaRue said.

LaRue said her sociology courses helped her work well with the other interns.

“Especially in terms of listening to their likes and investigating why they liked certain aspects of an event over others, my sociology degree has helped bridge the communication gap between all the interns so that we could reach a win-win pitch,” she said.

After her internship at Hard Rock Stadium, LaRue applied for a position with Penn State football this semester. She landed a recruitment internship, where she now welcomes athletic recruits, gives on-field assistance, and creates communication charts for game days.  

“During my summer internship, I learned a lot about time management, networking and how to manage my manager … how to learn more from the opportunities presented to me in my position,” LaRue said. “I hope to expand and reflect on these lessons and apply them to my work with Penn State football, especially capitalizing on other people’s experiences of football for the interests of the team and fanbase.”

LaRue is applying for full-time positions in the sports technology field.

“My sociology degree, especially approaching graduation, is helping me use my business side and be open-minded when it comes to the world and possibilities of a job offer,” she said.