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Miller Gives an Update From Nike Headquarters
7/4/2009 5:15:00 AM | Women's Soccer
PORTLAND, Ore.-- Hello from the Pacific Northwest! Well actually if I am going to be accurate, hello from JFK airport. It's about 7:00 a.m. (EST) right now, which makes it a wonderful 4:00 a.m. (PT), and since I have adjusted to West Coast time since being in Portland, my body is really feeling it right now. I hopped on the red eye from Portland last night and now here I am sitting in JFK waiting for the second leg of my trip to Rochester. I am headed home for the long 4th of July weekend as there are many family events and festivities that people wanted to attend. However, the purpose of this blog is not to blabber on and on about traveling, which for everyone who knows me well, knows I just love to fly (NOT). But I am getting much better.
So now I will look to accomplish what I set out to do with this blog, which is the interesting part where I update all of you on my experience thus far out at Nike at the World Headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. Before I jump into the exciting details though, I figured I must be upfront and honest. I live with two girls who are also Division I collegiate athletes -- one plays field hockey at Virginia (ok, no problems with them), but the other...she plays soccer at North Carolina (I am sure you can see the problem that lies within our apartment-haha). However, to be fair, we have all gotten close and Meghan (the UNC girl) and I are very similar. We have played soccer together often to stay in shape and touch the ball. That last comment was mostly for Robbie's (Church) benefit, so he knows I am doing everything in my power to touch the ball often and work out. Also, it should be pointed out here that we casually joke about UNC/DUKE living together, but we both have a deep respect for each other's programs (though I highly doubt Fitz would be agreeing with me).
In terms of my internship, I am at Nike for 8.5 weeks total, but I have already spent four weeks there. Every intern is guided by a manager and has about three projects that are their main focuses for the summer. I was extremely fortunate to be paired up with Tommy Kain, who many of you know because he came and spoke last February at Duke and also because he was quite the player during his time at Duke. Tommy is the head of all sports marketing at Nike. He has so many people reporting to him all day long. It has been fascinating to observe him because he handles everything with such grace and poise. I just feel very blessed to sit by him and have him so accessible to me. He is a wealth of knowledge and a remarkable guy.
It seems the best way to let you all know what my daily experience at Nike is like is to give you “A day in the life” summary. I am sure my teammates will let me hear it for this one, but it seems the most natural way to explain what I do out at Nike.
So here's a little preview...
Every morning during the week I wake up, eat some food at home for breakfast, and then grab my Magna Mountain Bike and ride to work. (I was able to buy that fine piece of equipment at the local Fred Meyer, which for those of you who haven't heard of it, which I had not either, is like a huge Wal-Mart.) The ride is about 1.5 miles, so nothing too crazy, but enough to get you going before hitting the office to start by 8:00 a.m. It is important to note here that because I only have a bike, I have gained a huge amount of respect for how long things take to do without a car. I have had to get somewhat creative if I wanted to go somewhere and it has been very humbling. Once at work, it varies what I do by day, but typically I have a meeting with someone in the morning and then spend the rest of the time in the morning doing work on my projects. I usually then grab lunch with some of my fellow interns and the afternoon is the same as the morning: meeting(s) and work on projects. The meetings are great because I learn so much in these individual conversations and I find that every person I talk to gives me some unique information (or a gem, if you'd like to call it-fitz) and they often refer me to other people. It is a constant cycle. I have already met close to thirty people during my time at Nike. I have been welcomed into the Nike Family (as it is commonly referred to) with open arms and it is easy to see why Nike is one of the most dominant companies in the world.
Work typically ends at 5:00 p.m. and then most days I head over to the Michael Johnson Track, Bo Jackson Fitness Center, or Lance Armstrong Fitness center, where I can do our wonderful summer packet. For people who do not know-all of the building on campus are named after famous Nike sponsored athletes, for instance there is the Mia Hamm bldg, Jerry Rice, Michael Jordan, Nolan Ryan, Tiger Woods, the list goes on and on. The facilities are world-class and the opportunities available to employees are incredible; there is every fitness imaginable class from yoga to spinning to water running to rock climbing that are all free to employees, or interns like me. After my workout is over, I bike back home, which is sometimes a struggle, as I am usually tired after a long day (it sometimes is reminiscent of the walks to and from Edens last year and to and from the blue zone-last lot on the right-cgoodie!) Once home, I make dinner, sit down, chill and I always find it is 10:00 p.m. again and I need to go to bed. There is not much time for social outings during the week, as you are working and are very tired when you get home.
I have been fortunate to do a few cool things thus far though on the weekends. Meghan and I just last weekend rode our bikes to the MAX (this is a train that runs above ground throughout Portland and surrounding suburbs) and rode to Forest Park, which has miles of trails and incredible views of nature, including Mt. Hood within sight. I also have been downtown a few times and saw one A-League soccer game, which ended up with six goals being scored and three red cards dished out to one team. What an atmosphere?! I went last weekend with Meghan and some soccer players from Portland University to the Saturday Market. What an experience to say the least. I am hoping to figure out how to get to the “Gorge” and Mt. Hood before I leave, because everyone you talk to says you have to see it in person. Overall, I am very pleased with what I have seen, but anxious to fit in as much as possible before I leave for Duke.
That is basically my summer in 800 words, actually that was a completely low-ball number, there are many more words than 800. I am sure I left some things out, but I think that the important ones showed through. As my internship begins to wrap up, I can honestly say I will look back on this experience fondly for a long time to come. The people I have been fortunate to meet and the personal growth I have sustained is incredible. Nike is truly an extraordinary place, that is so cutting edge and innovative, it just is an honor to spend nine weeks there. I must say that being an avid Nike connoisseur since a young age, I have found many people out here who are very similar in that respect, which is very cool to see.
I am looking forward to getting back to Duke in early August to start preseason again and gear up for the season! I am very excited about the team and our future. And of course, I must give a personal shout out to the crazy 8 +JCA, who have become my best friends and without Duke would not be the same. Hope everyone is enjoying their summers and I cannot wait to get back to school!
PS-If you ever head this way, you must make it a priority to tour campus because a blog and pictures do not come close to justifying how truly incredible this place is.
Gretchen Miller
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