SEPTEMBER 12, 2023 — An affinity for creativity and an interest in business sparked Angela Otuokere’s plans to pursue a B.B.A. in Marketing at the Carlos Alvarez College of Business at UTSA. She furthered her passions this summer by working as an intern for the National Football League (NFL).
Otuokere discovered the opportunity through Handshake, UTSA’s student career platform. She applied, was interviewed and was chosen to be a club marketing intern for the NFL’s summer internship program in New York City. She was shocked and thrilled to be chosen for the job.
“I got an email saying that I landed the NFL intern position, and I swear everyone thought I was insane in the (UTSA) Main Building,” said Otuokere, a San Antonio native and first-generation UTSA student whose parents are from Nigeria. “I was crying and screaming and running around in disbelief, and the gravity of it didn’t really sink in until I arrived in New York City.
Otuokere’s experience is an example of UTSA’s commitment to providing students with experiential learning opportunities before they graduate. Through the UTSA Classroom to Career initiative, UTSA is broadening these hands-on learning opportunities for students including internships, service learning, undergraduate research and study-abroad programs that provide them with the hard and soft skills that are in demand by employers.
As part of its strategic plan, UTSA aims for 75% of its undergraduate students to participate in some type of experiential learning by the time they graduate.
Otuokere’s duties included supporting marketing campaigns and initiatives with internal marketing stakeholders across all NFL club marketing programs and driving strong collaboration and communications among all 32 teams of the league.
She participated in daily conference calls with various NFL teams, meetings with marketing managers and learned from NFL leadership about other corporate positions and their roles in making the NFL what we know it to be today.
“It was cool to see how unique each of the clubs is because before coming here. I just thought that all clubs operated the same,” said Otuokere, who is president of the American Marketing Association at UTSA and historian for the university’s African Student Association. “I came to realize how unique each of their marketing strategies was based on where they were located and their different fan bases.”
Additionally, Otuokere was named an Emma Bowen Fellow through the NFL’s partnership with the Emma Bowen Foundation. The organization provides young students of color opportunities in the nation’s leading entertainment, media and tech companies. Selected among a nationwide applicant pool, she was able to network with other fellows and program alumni and network with partnering companies.
“Emma Bowen was a trailblazer in advocating for representation in the broadcasting and journalism world for minorities, which is something I value,” Otuokere said. “Having the chance to be a part of this foundation means everything in the journey that I am on. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people makes a world of difference in both your college and life experiences.”
Entering the last semester of her undergraduate degree this fall, she is grateful to have spent her summer in New York City with the National Football League and the Emma Bowen Foundation, taking with her skills that she will carry throughout her career. Whether pursuing her M.B.A. or going straight into the marketing field, she hopes to align her destiny with her passions and core values.
Knowing that high risk often leads to high reward, Otuokere encourages her fellow Roadrunners to take all the risks possible.
“Joining everything and getting exposure and networking with people is one of the greatest assets you can have,” she said. “I strongly believe that my time and experiences at UTSA are the reason why I landed a position in the NFL. So, I would say just go for it, you are always on time for your life.”
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
September is National Hispanic Heritage Month. House of Neighborly Service is gearing up to increase awareness of the growing needs of our Westside community while embracing our Hispanic culture every step of the way. Our team is excited to announce the First Annual La Casita del Barrio 1K/5K Walk/Run.
Our Lady of the Lake University, 11 SW 24th St, San Antonio, TX 78207Come experience a Hispanic Market with us!
Rowdy StatueWe will be reading For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodriguez. We will meet on Zoom to discuss the book. The book is free for students who request it, please email multicultural@utsa.edu to request the book and/or to join the Book Club and receive messages and information about this and future readings and discussions.
Virtual EventCome and practice your Spanish in a friendly and engaging environment! You will also learn about Hispanic cultures with us as we play games, watch videos, sing, and participate in many other language and cultural activities! All levels are welcome! ¡Nos vemos!
Willow Room (SU 2.02.12,) Main CampusIn partnership with UTSA Libraries and the Consulado General de México en San Antonio, Carriqui will host Ven a Tomar, where guests will sample mezcal, cocktails and unique bites to celebrate UTSA's Mexican Cookbook Collection.
Carriqui, 239 E Grayson St San Antonio, TX 78215The UTSA Orchestra will be performing Rapsodia Mexicana, a captivating concert celebrating Mexican music and the confluence of cultures in South Texas. Joined by organist Colin Campbell (Texas A&M International University) and UTSA's Mariachi Los Paisanos, watch as the orchestra brings to life the essence of Hispanic culture through their powerful performances.
UTSA Recital Hall, Main CampusA fun night for UTSA students to relax and play loteria. Student Success Centers will also have recourses for students to learn more about programs and services.
Denman Ballroom (SU 2.01.28,) Main CampusThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education.
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to ending generations of discrimination and inequity. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.
