After many applications, he finally got his first job with the Saints, and two summers later he spent the summer recruiting fans to participate in mid-inning mini-games at CHS Field. That same summer, Santelman worked as a guest service worker for the Vikings, selling merchandise, guiding fans, and giving directions. Santelmann is playing for the Timberwolves this season. He organized events at the club, checked wristbands and even walked Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson to his seat. And Santelman is succeeding. He was named MVP of all Vikings interns and received a personalized jersey and shield along with the opportunity to meet the franchise’s ownership group. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to stand on the field and see my efforts recognized,” Santelman says. “Yes, that meant a lot.”
Each of these internships provided important learning opportunities for Santelman. He learned valuable lessons about teamwork with the Saints, a strong work ethic with the Vikings, and developed relationships with club members at Wolves games. Even though he seemed to have achieved his dream of working and being part of a sports organization, Santelmann realized that the career was not right for him at the moment. During his internship, he started work at 3:30 p.m. and often continued until 10 p.m. or his 11 p.m., but Santelman felt that timing and working hours were unsustainable. I did. Although Santelman still has a passion for the sport, he has adjusted his goals in light of his lessons learned in marketing his sport. He recently accepted a full-time position as a brand and marketing intern at NorthRock Partners, a financial advisory firm in Minneapolis. Santelman still hopes sports will factor into his evolving goals as he begins pursuing a career before he graduates. His dream job is still to be president of a professional sports team, but taking a marketing job at an asset management company ties him to sports, as many professional athletes work for such companies. there is a possibility. “Through these internships, he was able to think more deeply about what he wanted to do in the future and understand his value and what he could do with his education at Bethel,” says Santelman. .
Bethel proved to be an ideal place for Santelman to attend college. He has pursued an interest in sports and marketing, and Bethel’s location, about 20 minutes from Minneapolis and St. Paul, puts him close to his professional sports teams in the state. And because of Bethel’s size, Santelman has found many opportunities to get involved on campus. He participates in BethelBiz, a program that pairs business and communications students with alumni mentors in their respective fields. Santelman also sings in the Bethel choir and currently serves as the choir’s student body president. Balancing his internship with campus-wide involvement, he is grateful to work with flexible professors who care about their students. When he had to miss class or rehearsal for a Timberwolves game, his professors and conductors were gracious and allowed him to make up the missed time. This has allowed Santelman to maintain high grades despite his many efforts. “The whole communications department has been very understanding,” Santelman said. “That’s what I appreciate about the small school atmosphere.
