Jones to intern with Texas Rangers
Written by Chelcey Lowery for Arkansas Athletic Media Relations
As senior pitcher Kim Jones wraps up her final season of Razorback softball, her connection to the game is far from over. While in the midst of a 10-day road trip for Southeastern Conference play in March, Jones got the call offering her an internship with the Texas Rangers professional baseball team.
"I started crying when I found out. All the girls were there and they all hugged me and even got me a card." Jones said.
Jones sent her resume to the Rangers offices and after it bounced around the different departments, the corporate sales division contacted the Razorback pitcher for an interview. Three weeks before receiving the job offer, she flew down to Texas to meet with her potential employers.
"I was nervous when I first got to the interview because it’s at the Rangers stadium, "Jones said, "but as soon as a met the woman interviewing me, I settled in."
The corporate sales internship is a position that weighs heavily on interacting with people on a daily basis. The position begins June 1 and continues on through the end of the Major League Baseball season.
The senior, majoring in recreation and sports management, is looking forward to her opportunity to work in a field that she always thought she would be successful in.
"I’ve always thought I would be good at sales. I love meeting people and talking to people," she said. "My parents say I’ve never learned the meaning of the word ‘no’."
Jones credits her four years as an Arkansas Razorback for the skills she will take with her on her future endeavor.
"One of the things I emphasized in my interview was that I know how to work well on a team and manage my time well. I know there are many things that I’ve learned from sports that I can apply to my job," Jones said.
With just four games left in her Razorback career, Jones has many accolades to boast about. She has defeated two top-three teams this season in the circle. She pitched wins against then-ranked No. 1 UCLA and third-ranked Georgia. She is also the only hurler in Arkansas Softball history to pitch a win against a number one team. Even still, the end to her softball career at the University is drawing to a bittersweet end.
"Playing is fun but at some point you’ve got to grow up and move on, but we are family and I’m going to miss my family. We’ve all gotten so close over the years. I love my team."
