How Olivia Arriaga Turned a Passion for Football Into a Professional Career

“I was there at the beginning of the Nike partnership, and that was an incredible opportunity,” Olivia Arriaga said.

Olivia Arriaga, a first-generation college student originally from California, turned her lifelong passion for football into a professional career through opportunities at the University of South Carolina Career Center and the Carolina Panthers.

Growing up in a family of sports fans and athletes, Arriaga developed an appreciation for football early in life. She attended community college before transferring to the University of South Carolina, where she initially enrolled as a sports media major before discovering her passion for the sports and entertainment industry through the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management (HRSM).

Steve Taylor, her SPTE 195 professor, shared an internship opportunity with Gamecock Football and helped her prepare her resume and application.

During the application process for Gamecock Football, Arriaga relied on her personality and confidence. Following a five-minute interview, she received an offer the following day, which introduced her to the operational side of collegiate athletics.

One of her most memorable experiences involved the organization’s partnership transition from Under Armour to Nike, which required interns and staff to reorganize equipment facilities, complete extensive inventory, and replace branding. Some days involved working from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m.

After gaining experience with Gamecock Football, Arriaga pursued another opportunity with the Carolina Panthers, which she also learned about through Taylor. She completed the application process through the NFL and interviewed with members of the Panthers’ ticketing office, receiving an offer following an hour-long interview and additional processing.

“There were plenty of times when I looked at my boss and told him I didn’t understand what he had just explained, but I would figure it out,” she said.

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