Welcome to Gustavus Adolphus College’s Student Stories Series!
Performance Intern at ETS Performance Mankato
Major: Exercise Physiology
What was your career experience?
I will be completing my internship with ETS Performance in Mankato, Minnesota. ETS Performance is a sports performance training facility that focuses on improving athletic performance through strength and conditioning, speed and agility training, and injury prevention. The organization works with athletes of various ages and skill levels to enhance overall fitness, performance, and long-term athletic development.
How did you get the opportunity/experience? What steps did you take to achieve this?
Sample answer.
Tell us more about your accomplishment (include title, role, location, program, etc.)
During my internship, I assisted with training sessions, helped implement strength and conditioning programs, and supported coaches in leading drills and exercises. I was also involved in organizing equipment, observing athlete progress, and contributing to a positive and motivating training environment. This experience provided hands-on exposure to the field of exercise science and allow me to develop skills in coaching, communication, and program implementation while supporting athletes in reaching their performance goals.
How did the Engaged Learning Funds help you be able to complete this experience?
The Engaged Learning Funds played an important role in allowing me to complete this experience. The funds helped reduce the financial burden associated with participating in an internship, such as transportation, daily expenses, and time away from other paid work. Because of this support, I was able to fully commit to my internship at ETS Performance Mankato and focus on gaining meaningful, hands-on experience rather than worrying about financial constraints. The funding gave me the opportunity to invest my time and energy into developing my skills in coaching, communication, and performance training. Overall, it made this experience more accessible and allowed me to get the most out of it both professionally and personally.
Anything else you want to share about your experience working with Career Development?
I’ve had a really positive experience working with Center for Career Development overall. The support has been helpful in building my confidence and giving me clearer direction with my career goals. I especially appreciated the guidance on things like résumés, interview preparation, and exploring different career paths.
How have you applied things you’ve learned here at Gustavus to this opportunity? (i.e., Career & Self Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Equity & Inclusion, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork, Technology)
I’ve learned how to set goals, seek feedback, and continuously improve, which has helped me stay motivated and adaptable. My coursework and group projects have strengthened my ability to clearly express ideas, listen actively, and collaborate with others in both professional and academic settings.
