Many of Alicia Jara’s days this summer kicked off before the sun rose.

As an intern in the Ticket Operations department for the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers, the Holy Cross College junior gained an inside look at the work required to maximize the fan experience for the thousands who passed through the team’s training camp gates each day. In the hours leading up to their arrival, Jara and the Ticket Operations team tested the scanners that would admit fans and prepared for another busy day behind the scenes of professional football.

The communications major was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago and remains, in her words, “forever a Chicago Cubs fan.” But growing up, Jara knew she wanted to work in sports, regardless of where that path might take her. This summer, it took her across the country and into the daily operations of an NFL franchise.

The internship took Jara farther from home than she had ever lived and challenged her to navigate Los Angeles while gaining hands-on experience at the Chargers’ offices, training facility, and SoFi Stadium.

Behind that experience, Jara says, was a group of Holy Cross mentors who encouraged her through the obstacles she faced. She credits President Marco Clark; Wendy Chapman, Director of Student Success and Career Development; Laura J. Jackson, M.A., Academic Director of Communications; and Andrea D. Welch, Ph.D., Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Engagement, with helping her pursue the opportunity with confidence.

Jara shares how an application for a different position led her to the Chargers, what it was like to work behind the scenes in the NFL, and the three lessons she hopes other Holy Cross students will carry into their own professional journeys.

Q&A with Alicia Jara

How did you first learn about this internship opportunity and what was your reaction when you got word?

I first learned about this internship after applying for a different position with the Chargers. I asked my current boss to kindly pass along my resume, but unfortunately my availability didn’t align with that internship. Instead, he reached out and asked if I would be interested in interning with him in Ticket Operations.

I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity, and I will always be grateful that I said yes.

What interested you most about working with the Chargers?

Growing up, I always knew I wanted to work in sports no matter what I was doing. Sports have been a huge part of my life and having the opportunity to work with an NFL team was a dream come true.

What does a typical day look like in your role?

During training camp, we were a lot busier, so my typical day started around 5:30 a.m. till 5:30 pm. My alarm went off after what felt like a five-minute nap around 5:30 a.m. and I would get ready for the day and head to the office around 6:30 a.m. After arriving at The Bolt, I would test all our scanners to make sure all our general admission and VIP ones were working correctly. As attendees, you don’t realize how important those scanners are because without those, no one gets into the venue. After testing all scanners, I would hop onto my laptop to do some reports for my team and answer any emails. Around 8:30 a.m. I would head downstairs with the Ticket Operations team to have a breakdown between us and other staff members. Gates opened at 9 a.m., and we welcomed thousands of fans each day. We spent most of the training camp assisting people who had trouble with their tickets, wrist banding friends and family of players, coaches, and staff members, helping scan people in, and distributing scanners. Some days after camp was over, I would help with post-practice autographs. During this time, I would hand out sharpies to players and coaches on the field so they could autograph fans. After this, we would head back upstairs to debrief and reset our scanners for the next day. Around 1:00 p.m., most people in the organization have lunch served by the amazing people who work in the cafeteria. After lunch some of us head to Apollo, which is The Chargers’ second office, to finish the workday there. Once arriving there we would quickly make a coffee and hit the laptop until about 5:30 p.m. After heading home, I usually will take a CorePower class, eat dinner, and shut it down to do it all again the next day.

What are some of your primary responsibilities and projects?

While working there we had a multitude of on sales. We went on sale once a week for training camp tickets and we also went on sale for season ticket members parking. To say the least, we were extremely busy. While assisting with that, I also would handle a few logistical things with season ticket members and of course my daily responsibilities during training camp.

Are you on site at the stadium or the team’s training facility?

I am extremely privileged to work out of all three locations; The Bolt, Apollo, and SoFi Stadium. Also, had the opportunity to travel with the team to San Diego for training camp out there as well.

Are there any classes, professors, mentors, coaches, or experiences at Holy Cross that helped you succeed in this role?

I want to extend a thank you to President Clark and Ms. Chapman for cheering me on every step of the way. They both played a huge role in making sure I was able to be here no matter the obstacles thrown at me.

As I faced many obstacles, Professor Jackson was always just a phone call away. Professor Jackson was not only a professor but a mentor and a friend. I truly would not be here without her advice and help. She has taught me to walk with confidence and go after every opportunity that presents itself. I enjoy being in her class – there is never a dull moment.

I would also like to highlight Dr. Welch. At the beginning of the summer, I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Welch’s story, and it was inspiring. In such a short conversation I learned so much about her and learned to persevere through anything that is thrown at me.

Holy Cross has brought me many mentors that I will hold onto for life.

What has been the most rewarding part of the internship so far?

The most rewarding part of this internship has been being able to grow professionally and personally and having the opportunity to meet the most down-to-earth people. This has been the furthest I have moved away from home ever, and I learned how to live alone very quickly and to navigate one of the biggest cities in the country all while taking an NFL internship. But nothing will ever amount to the people I have met. I walk away from this internship with great sadness because I feel as if I am leaving a chosen family behind. The ticket operations team is one-of-a-kind team in the most spectacular way possible. Kris, Chuck, Ruben, and Bouzous are the bestest friends an intern could make. They have taught me what there is to know about Archtics (a ticketing and customer relationship management platform), to smile even on the days it’s hard to, and that no job is too big or too small for someone who works in ticket operations.

What advice would you give to other Holy Cross students who hope to pursue similar opportunities?

Be humble. Be kind. Be curious.

Be humble. Never think you are “too good” for a job. There is always room to grow and to improve. Chances are that that job will lead you to more opportunities.

Be kind. Never burn a bridge. Always stay connected with people at all levels and all roles. Always say, “good morning” or “hi” to everyone you walk past even if you don’t know them and even if they don’t say it back.

Be curious. Never stop wondering what else you can do. Talk to as many people as you can and listen to their story and what they do. There is always something to learn from everyone; you just need to listen.