Freddy Flynn worked his way up from Universal CityWalk server to senior director of youth and event sales. Emily Manning ’27 interned in his office last summer. Photo by Jacob Cochran
For students seeking careers in the theme park industry, an internship at Universal Orlando Resort is a coveted opportunity. For Emily Manning ’27, it was a dream come true.
She discovered her passion for sales as a tour guide for the University of Tampa’s admissions office and switched her major from allied health to marketing with a minor in professional selling. When the internship at Universal opened, she got permission to leave class early to log into a video conference with 800 other students vying for 84 positions, including the one in event sales she wanted.
“After I applied, I would refresh my email every day after class,” Manning said. Eventually, she got a screening call, a phone interview and finally an offer. She knows of only one other Spartan who’s had a similar internship there.
At Universal, she enjoyed working with people interested in renting parts of the park for their guests. “You’re taking clients into the parks. You’re wining and dining them. You’re riding rides. You’re highlighting what the experience can be for their guests,” Manning said. “Why would you not want to do that every day for work?”
When she learned that the senior director of her team, Freddy Flynn, was interested in speaking opportunities, she pitched the executive speakers series at UTampa’s Southard Institute for Sales Excellence.
On Oct. 27, Flynn spoke to approximately 200 students in Plant Hall about “intentional awareness.” He shared his career journey and advice for students just starting theirs.
Flynn recommended that students follow their passion. “It’s not about what you want to do. It’s about why you want to do it,” he said. “Don’t measure your why in money, status or activity. Measure the meaning, fulfillment and purpose it gives you.”
He also offered insider advice on getting internships and jobs. “When I hire, I judge on three things: intelligence, divergent thought and competitiveness. I can’t coach that. I can coach pretty much everything else,” he said. “I want to give the opportunity to the person who’s going to get the most out of it.”
Manning has put that advice to good use. This semester, she is working closer to campus as a part-time group sales agent at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
