Internship Series | Robert Dwyer ’27 jumps into pro soccer operations with Rhode Island FC

Our Internship Series highlights where our students interned this summer, what they learned, and how their experiences fit into the unique professional journeys they are building at Nichols College. Since real-world preparation is central to our mission, all Nichols students complete an internship before graduation to connect theory with practice.

In this ongoing Q&A series, our students share insights about their internships in their own words. In this installment, we catch up with sport management student Robert Dwyer ’27, who is also president and captain of the club hockey team. For this native of South Kingstown, Rhode Island, it was a summer of soccer—not just because of the World Cup fervor that overtook the region, but because of his internship with Rhode Island FC, a professional soccer team based in his home state. Below, he tells us about his journey as a sports management student and how his time with Rhode Island FC shaped his career aspirations.

1. Tell us about your major and what career path you are exploring.

I am a sports management major looking to pursue a career as either a team operations manager or director of sports operations for a professional sports organization.

The curriculum here is designed for real-world application, helpful for gaining a position in the field after graduation. The program offers deep dives into sport marketing, event management, high school and collegiate athletics, game day operations, sales and sponsorship, and management of amateur and professional sports organizations. It also holds accreditation by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA). There are also sport sales and sport marketing programs here as well.

2. Where did you complete your internship, and why did you take this internship on—what were your goals?

I completed my internship with Rhode Island FC, which is a professional soccer club out of Rhode Island. I took this internship because I wanted to gain more experience working for a professional sports organization, and the chance to work at such a high level of soccer as RIFC excited me. My goal was to take what I learned from RIFC and apply that to choosing my career path. I was given a great opportunity and look forward to my next chapter in the sports industry.

3. What did a typical day look like for you during this experience?

I worked at Rhode Island FC’s home stadium, Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, and on a typical day, I restocked and cleaned player and coach uniforms and placed them into their lockers. I helped coaches prepare the field for practice by setting up equipment and bringing out necessary gear. Before and after team activities, I also set up and broke down the film room and dining room. During practices, I maintained the field by watering it to improve the playing surface, retrieved balls, moved equipment throughout drills, and assisted coaches and players to maintain the flow of practice. After practice, I helped clean up the field and organized equipment to keep facilities clean. On game days, I assisted with warmups and supported players and coaches with any needs throughout the day. I also assisted with packing and unpacking equipment for away games. Overall, I consistently provided support to players, coaches and staff members on a day-to-day basis.

4. How did your school coursework prepare you for this role?

For me, always showing up in class every day ready to learn and prepared to apply concepts in real-world settings has helped me the most because at Nichols it all starts in the classroom. I always appreciate the guidance they give, and I have always had the most support from all my professors here. They always encourage me to do my best, get involved and step outside of my comfort zone; that’s what Nichols always pushes their students to do, and I definitely see why. Three years after starting at Nichols, I can see how that kind of encouragement has helped me continue to develop the drive and growth mindset that I have today.

Being a part of many programs and classes like the Super Bowl Practicum has also helped me with this role in a large way. In the Super Bowl Practicum at Nichols, we study the history and business of the Super Bowl, and then we experience it with a hands-on, six-day working trip to the big game to manage fan experiences and network with industry experts. During my time in the Bay Area for Super Bowl LX, which the Patriots also played in, I learned a lot about—and experienced—the fast-paced work environment that professional sports comes with. Working at one of the biggest events in sports, where sports operations function at the highest level, showed me what it takes to succeed in that kind of environment, and I brought those insights with me to my role with Rhode Island FC. The Super Bowl Practicum is an opportunity that not many schools offer, and Nichols does a great job with this program, using it to prepare sports management students with real-world experience that sets them up for their future in the industry.

5. How has your internship experience shaped your future goals after graduation?

This experience has shaped my future goals in many positive ways. Working for Rhode Island FC pushed me a bit outside of my comfort zone because I have never played soccer and I didn’t have much knowledge of the sport. Now, I would love to join a professional soccer organization down the road, alongside many other sports.

Working within professional sports is a longtime dream of mine. Seeing fans from all over coming together to support a team is incredible; sports is one of the most powerful forces in the world that can unify people. For a little while, everyone forgets about life outside of the stadium and puts all their focus on the game. That atmosphere has always been very special to me and is something that I want to be a part of for the rest of my life. Reaffirming that passion with RIFC was fantastic, and it helped me visualize a future career in sports team operations.

6. What advice do you have for other Nichols students looking for an internship?

My advice for Nichols students looking for an internship is simple: don’t be afraid to take a leap, and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. If you are offered a new experience, never say no. It will only help you grow and succeed. After all, you can’t discover what you like or don’t like without trying it first. Before coming to Nichols, doing my internship at a professional soccer organization wasn’t on my bingo card, but three years later, here I am.

Your connections and resources at Nichols are your greatest tools, so never overlook them. When a Nichols alum presented me with the Rhode Island FC opportunity, I knew I couldn’t let it pass me by. I wanted to make the most of it because I knew it would benefit me in the long run.

(Pictured in story photo: Robert Dwyer ’27 at Rhode Island FC’s home turf, Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket.)