This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Ohio U chapter.

What is your age/grade and major?

I am 19 and a sophomore. I am majoring in Broadcast Journalism major with a specialization in sports management.

What is your job exactly?

I am a Columbus Blue Jackets Ice Girl. It is honestly the best job. We have to get to the rink about 2 hours before puck drops. We have an hour to get ready in our locker room, then we go up to the main concourse and greet fans as they walk into Nationwide. We take pictures and interact with fans, as well as give little kids tattoos. Then we lace up our skates, pick up the pucks after warm-ups. During the game we go on the ice roughly three times during each period and shovel the snow off the ice. We also help with the intermission events that the fans partake in.

How did you find out about this opportunity?

I honestly found out about this job through twitter. The Blue Jackets re-tweeted about their Promo Team auditions, and I figured “why not?”

If there was an audition, what was the audition like? Or what was the application process like?

Yes, there was an application that you had to fill out to even receive an invite to the auditions. There are 3 teams that you can audition for. The Yuengling Crew, The Pepsi Power Patrol, and the Ice Crew. During the ice crew auditions, we just did some basic skating and stops. We also learned all the patterns that we would have to do on ice with the shovels during the games.

Did you need to have any specific skills or qualifications?

To be an ice girl, you do need some basic skating skills. You must also be outgoing and have a bubbly personality, as you are interacting with fans a lot of the time.

How long have you been ice skating?

I laced up my first pair of skates when I was 3. And I fell in love. I currently ice skate for the Synchronized Skating Team here at OU.

What kind of events/promotions do you get to participate in?

We skate at every home game. We also participate in Blue Jackets Viewing Parties, which usually happen at Buffalo Wild Wings. These viewing parties occur when the Jackets have an away game. We meet and greet fans, sign fans up to win prizes, and hand out the prizes. We have done some appearances at events such as: Fan Fest, OSU football games, and The Season Ticket Holder Meet-The-Players Event.

How often do you have to work?

I honestly try to work as many games as possible. I truly love my job and it’s actually so great to have a job that you look forward to going to.

Have you made friends with any of the hockey players?

There are strict rules about interactions with Columbus Blue Jackets players. I mean, of course its okay for us to greet each other, and on the ice we have to talk to them to let them know if they are in our way. In the end, it comes down to the job.

What’s been your favorite part of this experience so far?

Personally, my favorite part of this experience has been the fans. The atmosphere at Nationwide is something that is indescribable. The players, the fans, the promo teams, the workers- we’re all one family. It has been nearly 3 months since I got the job, and I have grown very close fellow ice girls. I have met numerous season ticket holders who I love to interact with and see daily at games. It’s rewarding to know that I am part of such a fan-oriented organization. They truly care about their fans.

Danielle Podlaski

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