The Intern Journal: Rochester Red Wings

The following article was revealed within the August 21, 2026 version of the Siena SCoop. 

Claire Donlon was born right into a household of die-hard Buffalo Bills followers. The Rochester native tries to make it to at least one house recreation per yr, and whereas she’s locked in on the motion, her consideration has at all times been divided (for so long as she will bear in mind) by the opposite individuals on the sphere. Claire loves soccer, and she will think about a profession working within the NFL, however the entrance workplace employees is someplace in a skybox and the media is perched within the press field. Claire needs to be on the sphere, just like the photojournalists – and now social media content material creators – that toe the sidelines.

“I would see the cameramen, and I’d especially pay attention to the camerawomen, and I would think how cool it is to be that close to the players. Honestly, I’ve been inspired by the women who have put themselves out there, and I wanted to be part of the action like them.”

This summer season, Claire’s been proper in the course of Triple-A motion in Rochester. The sports activities communications main is the Red Wings social media intern – she’s selling video games throughout their social channels, taking pictures video highlights through the recreation, and snapping footage from the dugout (under, proper).

Few aspiring skilled sports activities content material creators assemble a portfolio halfway by their sophomore yr that might catch the attention of a Triple-A ballclub (a single rung under Major League Baseball), however when Claire utilized for the internship again in January, she had a resume that might rival current graduates.

“Starting as a freshman, the Siena Athletics department gave me the opportunity to show up at any game on any field and take pictures from the sidelines. They didn’t care if I posted to their official accounts, they just gave me the freedom to get better and build my portfolio. I’ve also been a social media manager for the Siena baseball team for two years. At a larger school, with dozens of professionals hired to do media, I wouldn’t get anywhere near the kinds of opportunities I get here.”

Claire, a student-athlete on the swimming and diving staff, has labored practically each Red Wings homestand this summer season, however maybe her favourite shoot was an exhibition: the Greg Rousseau Charity Softball Game. The annual occasion pits the Buffalo Bills offense towards its protection. Claire is not an NFL content material creator – but – however she did verify off a lifelong dream of working the sidelines at a “Bills game.” (under, left)

“In the moment, I was fine. Completely professional. But then I got in my car afterwards, and I was like, ‘Oh my god.'”

Claire expects to finish her bachelor’s diploma a yr early, and he or she’s already dedicated to incomes her MBA at Siena. After that, she’ll pursue content material creation jobs in skilled sports activities. Ultimately, she’d prefer to work in the direction of a job as director of promoting relations, ideally for an NFL staff. One manner or one other, she’ll be a part of the motion.

“I just like being up close and getting the behind the scenes shots that people don’t see from the stands. Fans only see the stats. My goal is to make the athletes seem human, not like robots.”

As you’ve got in all probability guessed, she’s received an distinctive eye for it. Check out Claire’s work on her website or go to her Instagram page.