Yellow Jackets Gain Behind-the-Scenes Experience at FIFA World Cup
Santiago Calvino, a second-year economics and international affairs student, was one of three Georgia Tech students to participate in the Host Broadcast Services Intern Program. As a member of the Commentary Control Room team, Calvino spent most of the match in the broadcast booth. Submitted Photo.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup may have ended, but for three Georgia Tech students, the tournament gave them work experience that will last a lifetime.
More than 26 million people watched the Argentina vs. England semifinal match held at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium — setting viewership records on both Fox and Telemundo. Santiago Calvino, Daniela Ruiz, and Grace Inagaki were not among those watching at home. Instead, they were helping execute broadcasts as interns with Host Broadcast Services (HBS).
The trio of Yellow Jackets worked all eight matches in Atlanta with the company that has been FIFA’s official broadcast partner since 2002. Inagaki, a fourth-year biomedical engineering student, and Calvino, a second-year economics and international affairs student, were members of the Commentary Control Room (CCR) team, helping set up equipment before the match and adjusting levels for commentators in the booth. Ruiz, a second-year literature, media, and communication student, served on the media liaison team, directing broadcasters to their locations and acting as the first point of contact for media professionals.
The event’s scale made for a surreal experience, but Inagaki says their focus remained on the task at hand. For the CCR team, this meant equalizing levels as a broadcaster’s voice rose after a goal, reacting to technical glitches in real time, and offering translation help to Spanish broadcasters.
“This was the coolest thing we’ve ever done, and it was incredible just to be in the stadium. While we were aware of the ticket cost and the hype around the event as it was happening, our job was in the media booth, not on the pitch. For us, it was about being a professional and getting the job done,” Inagaki said.
As soccer fans, the students began looking for ways to get involved as World Cup preparations got underway. When each of them saw an email from the Georgia Tech Career Center about the HBS Intern Program, they jumped at the chance to apply.
“You can't put into perspective how much work and how many people it takes to make an event like the World Cup happen,” Ruiz said. “We saw everything that occurred on match days, and knowing that work had been going on for years is fascinating, especially seeing it all play out behind the scenes as the match was going on. It was so rewarding to play even a small role in such a massive operation.”
Calvino added, “As a fan, I never truly thought of how many people it takes to make sure these matches run smoothly, and this internship has given me a new appreciation of everyone who puts in the effort before, during, and after the match to make that happen. It's satisfying to know that I played a part in delivering a positive experience to fans around the world."
The placement of the job postings stemmed from a conversation between Georgia Tech’s Career Center and HBS more than a year before the tournament began. Dana Pudenz, employer connections manager in the Career Center, spoke at length with HBS representatives about the type of interns they were seeking to fill positions for the World Cup. Pudenz made sure the applications were posted to CareerBuzz, Tech’s career management platform, and shared them with students via email and student organizations.
Throughout their internship, the students said Tech had prepared them to tackle challenges and to fully embrace this “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity. “When talking with these companies and organizations, they know Georgia Tech’s reputation, but they also realize that every major here is going to have the well-rounded background they need to succeed,” Pudenz said. “Whether it's the World Cup or other events that come to the city, they know where to turn to get motivated students who want to work and will be the ones they want to hire for full-time positions.”
Regardless of where students are in their degree programs, Pudenz and the World Cup interns encourage Yellow Jackets to connect with the Career Center. The All-Majors Career Fair will take place Sept. 14 – 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and there will be a Faculty Employer Networking Breakfast from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on both days. All faculty are invited to attend. Contact the Career Center with any questions.