More than 2,000 students applied. Only 52 were accepted. One of them was Brenau rising senior Sara Jane Bowers.

The American Junior Golf Association internship is one of the most prestigious in the country, launching careers and offering travel opportunities throughout the summer. Bowers, a mass communication major from Statesboro, Georgia, and member of the Golden Tigers golf team, landed the internship for 2017.

“It means so much to me to have received this internship,” says Bowers. “I will be working with an amazing organization and will learn a lot about what goes on behind the scenes, working directly with the media and sponsors.”

Bowers had help landing the internship from PivitU, a “career catapult program.” The company helps students and young professionals land the internship or job they seek.

Jimmy Palumbo, PivitU chief employment officer and founder, visited Brenau in March and shared tips with students about brand building, networking, applying and interviewing for positions.

“PivitU helped me so much,” Bowers says. “They were there to look over my resume, help me with interview skills and showing me how to stand out among others applying. They worked with me on networking and so many other skills.”

The American Junior Golf Association is a nonprofit dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.

The AJGA internship groups interns into teams consisting of operations and communications interns that travel to tournaments throughout the summer. Bowers will be a communications intern, working on a team of eight.

Completion of this internship is necessary for full-time employment with the AJGA. It also provides interns like Bowers with meetings and interactions with past and future players of the PGA and LPGA tours, golf course superintendents, directors of golf and a variety of sponsors.

Bowers, who graduates in May 2018, says she isn’t exactly sure what she wants to do professionally, but hopes the internship will give her a better idea.

“I do know that I want to work in the golf industry with junior golfers,” she says. “I know that I gained so much from being able to play junior tournaments, and after playing competitive golf for 11 years, it’s really hard to not be around it. I want to help kids go after their dreams.”