The mission of the NFL Career Development Program is to offer opportunities which allow players to position themselves in their club community in a meaningful way during their playing careers and gain an understanding of various industries that may be of interest to them in their post-football careers.

The objectives of the Career Development Program are to:

Provide players with professional development training (brand assessment, presentation skills training, business etiquette resume writing, and interview skills) to facilitate their growth as public figures and their transition out of professional football and into a desired second career.

Provide internships, apprenticeships, informational interviews, shadowing, and structured learning opportunities in all fields of interest to players in an effort to assist them in becoming acquainted with the requirements of the job market as they exist outside of professional football.

Utilize existing and create new partnerships to establish opportunities for players.

These opportunities will enable players to discover specific causes that are meaningful to them for which they would like to support in their club and home communities. They will also discover specific areas within other industries that fit with their off-the-field interests and skill sets. Lastly, players will be positive representatives of themselves and the National Football League by being significant contributors to their communities.

Broadcast Boot Camp

Bob Whitfield

The NFL Broadcast Boot Camp is a hands-on program which offers current NFL players the opportunity to explore multiple on-air job functions of the television/media business. The sessions will include tape study, editing, show preparation, radio production, control room operation, studio preparation, production meetings, field reporting and game preparation. Each player will also tape segments as a studio and game analyst as well as a field reporter. Get a preview of what life is like in the broadcast booth or in other media positions. The NFL Broadcast Boot Camp is a first step in the transition from a playing career to a broadcasting career. For more information contact your club Player Development Director or email careerinternships@nfl.com.

Artrell Hawkins

"I think this is probably the best program I’ve been involved with since I’ve been in the NFL.'" Artrell Hawkins – Former New England Patriot

The Merrill Lynch NFL Internship is a unique opportunity to learn about the Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor (FA) position as a future career opportunity. Merrill Lynch Financial Advisors offer our clients customized solutions that simplify their lives. The rewards of becoming a Merrill Lynch FA are outstanding. Many of our best Financial Advisors have come to us from fields outside of financial services management.

As a Merrill Lynch NFL Intern you will be provided multiple opportunities to see how best practicing Financial Advisors grow client relationships and attract new business. You will meet with a variety of Merrill Lynch Specialists and Managers to understand how all the different pieces of a client's financial picture are supported by the broad array of products and services. You will learn about our investment platform, award winning Merrill Lynch Research departments, our world class wealth management process and technologies, and the Merrill Lynch culture and work environment.