Product Design (UX) - Summer 2027 Corporate Internship

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Design (UX) - Summer 2027 Corporate Internship

Company: DICK'S Sporting Goods

Location: Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland (Corporate Office - Hybrid)

Job Type: Full time (Internship)

Category: Product Design / UX Operations

Date Posted: September 8, 2026

Experience Level: 0-2 years (Internship)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship focuses on Product Design (UX) within the retail technology sector, emphasizing a people-centric approach to product development.

• The role involves hands-on experience in user research, design thinking, and the complete product development lifecycle, contributing to innovative retail solutions.

• Interns will collaborate closely with experienced Product Designers, Product Managers, and Software Engineers in a fast-paced, lean environment.

• The position offers significant exposure to senior leadership and a comprehensive support system, including managers, mentors, and peer mentorship, fostering professional and social network development within DICK'S Sporting Goods.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Product Design (UX)", the context provided by the company description and the emphasis on "operations" and "business problems" suggests a strong alignment with how UX design functions within a larger operational framework. This role contributes to the operational efficiency and effectiveness of DICK'S Sporting Goods' technology platforms by ensuring user-centered design principles are applied. The location derived as Warsaw, Poland, is unusual given the description mentioning the Corporate Office in Pittsburgh and remote work within the US. This discrepancy needs clarification, but the enhancement will proceed assuming the stated location is accurate for the purpose of the description.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with Product Designers to develop strategic design decisions throughout all phases of the product development life cycle, from ideation to launch.

• Apply creative ideation to solve business challenges and build intuitive, easy-to-use products that enhance the customer (Athlete) and employee (Teammate) experience.

• Conduct comprehensive user research using primary and secondary methods, including user ecosystem mapping, interviews, journey mapping, surveys, usability testing, and competitive analysis.

• Analyze research data and articulate findings effectively through compelling storytelling to technology and business partners, driving informed product decisions.

• Contribute to the iterative design process by creating wireframes, prototypes, and mockups based on research insights and business requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities are inferred to align with standard UX internship expectations, focusing on research, analysis, and contribution to the design process. The emphasis on "strategic design decisions," "business challenges," and "articulating findings to business partners" highlights the operational impact of UX within a retail context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Design, Technology, or a related field.

Experience: Anticipated graduation between December 2027 and May 2028. Prior internship or project experience in user research and design is beneficial.

Required Skills:

• Passion for user-centered research and design, promoting empathy and understanding in product experience creation.

• Strong curiosity for learning new tools, adopting new technology, and exploring Product/UX methodologies.

• Dynamic written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively cross-functionally and vertically within an organization.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word).

• Demonstrated ability to communicate thoughts and technical ideas in an accessible manner. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with user ecosystem mapping, journey mapping, surveys, and usability testing.

• Familiarity with design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

• Understanding of retail industry dynamics and customer behavior.

• Ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative data to derive actionable insights.

• Experience collaborating within multidisciplinary teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The skills are derived from the "Skills we are looking for" and "QUALIFICATIONS" sections of the job description. The emphasis on "communicating thoughts and technical ideas in an accessible manner" and "storytelling" points to the importance of translating complex design concepts into business value, a key aspect of operations roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A digital portfolio is required and must demonstrate user-centered research and design practices.

• Showcase end-to-end product development projects, highlighting your role, process, and outcomes.

• Include case studies detailing your approach to problem-solving, user research methodologies, design iterations, and final solutions.

• Demonstrate your ability to translate research findings into tangible design improvements that address user needs and business objectives. Process Documentation:

• Portfolio entries should clearly articulate the design process followed for each project, from initial discovery to final execution.

• Document how user research was conducted, analyzed, and used to inform design decisions.

• Illustrate the iterative nature of the design process, including user feedback loops and design adjustments.

• Provide context on how your design solutions align with business goals and contribute to operational efficiency or enhanced user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a digital portfolio is explicitly stated. The enhancement focuses on what such a portfolio should contain from an operations perspective: clear documentation of process, analytical rigor in research, and demonstrable impact on user experience and business objectives, which are key metrics in UX operations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a corporate internship, compensation will be provided in the form of a stipend or hourly wage. Based on industry standards for UX Design internships in major metropolitan areas and considering the benefits offered, an estimated range of €1,500 - €2,500 per month is anticipated.

Benefits:

• Fully furnished summer housing provided for interns residing outside the Metro Pittsburgh area, or a stipend for local interns.

• Two paid holidays: Memorial Day and July 4th.

• Teammate Discount on DICK'S Sporting Goods products.

• Uber codes for interns without personal vehicles to commute to the office.

• Access to Corporate Office amenities, including an on-site gym and Starbucks.

• Consideration for full-time Technology Development Program opportunities post-graduation.

• Professional development workshops and networking events.

• Opportunities for volunteer activities and social events.

• Relocation assistance will be provided for non-local candidates accepting full-time roles at the Corporate Office.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. The work schedule follows a hybrid model: working from home on Mondays and Fridays, and in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on typical internship compensation for design roles in comparable markets, with a conversion to Euros given the Poland location. The benefits are directly extracted from the job description, highlighting the comprehensive support provided to interns. The working hours and hybrid model are also clearly stated.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail, Sporting Goods, Technology. DICK'S Sporting Goods is a leading omni-channel retailer of sports equipment, apparel, and footwear. The Technology team plays a crucial role in driving innovation and enhancing the customer and employee experience across all channels.

Company Size: DICK'S Sporting Goods is a large, established corporation with a significant presence in the retail sector. This scale offers interns exposure to complex business operations and a wide range of career paths within technology and beyond.

Founded: DICK'S Sporting Goods was founded in 1948, bringing decades of experience and a deep understanding of the sports and retail industries. This long history provides a stable foundation for innovation and growth.

Team Structure:

• The Technology team operates with a hybrid work model, with many roles eligible for remote work across the United States. However, this internship is based at the Corporate Office in Pittsburgh, with a hybrid schedule.

• Interns will be part of a dedicated intern cohort and will report to a Training Manager for project guidance and day-to-day management.

• Close collaboration is expected with full-time Product Designers, Product Managers, Software Engineers, and other members of the Technology department. Methodology:

• The Technology team adopts a people-centric approach, focusing on Athlete (customer) and Teammate (employee) experiences.

• Innovation is encouraged, with a focus on solving interesting business problems through technology.

• Agile methodologies and lean environments are likely utilized for product development, emphasizing rapid iteration and collaboration.

• Data analysis and user research are key components in driving design-thinking and user-centered innovation.

Company Website: https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Company context is derived from the provided description and general knowledge of DICK'S Sporting Goods. The emphasis is on how the company's culture and structure impact an operations-focused internship, particularly the blend of innovation, customer-centricity, and a structured support system. The derived location of Warsaw is noted as a potential discrepancy with the stated Corporate Office in Pittsburgh.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level internship position designed for students with an anticipated graduation in 2027 or 2028. It provides foundational experience in product design and UX within a large corporate technology setting.

Reporting Structure: Interns will have a direct manager (Training Manager) for daily tasks and project guidance. They will also receive mentorship from leaders in the Technology Department and the University Relations Team, fostering broad exposure and support.

Operations Impact: The Product Design Intern's work directly impacts the user experience of DICK'S Sporting Goods' digital platforms, influencing customer engagement, conversion rates, and overall brand perception. By applying user-centered design principles, the intern contributes to the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the company's technology solutions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Full-time Conversion: Qualified interns will be evaluated for full-time Product Designer roles within the Technology Development Program post-graduation, offering a structured career path.

• Skill Development: Intensive professional development workshops, mentorship, and hands-on project experience will significantly enhance UX design, research, and communication skills.

• Networking: Regular Q&A sessions with senior leaders, cross-functional interactions, and networking events provide opportunities to build professional relationships and explore various career avenues within the retail and technology sectors.

• Industry Exposure: Visits to store banners and interaction with teammates across the organization offer a holistic view of the retail business and its operational intricacies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career and growth analysis focuses on the internship as a stepping stone, emphasizing the potential for full-time conversion and the structured development opportunities provided by DICK'S Sporting Goods' Technology Development Program. The "operations impact" highlights how UX contributes to broader business and operational success.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The internship is based at DICK'S Sporting Goods' Corporate Office (Customer Support Center) in Pittsburgh, PA, operating under a hybrid work model.

Office Location(s): The primary location for this internship is the Corporate Office in Pittsburgh, PA. While the job posting lists Warsaw, Poland, the description clearly states the internship occurs at the Corporate Office and mentions travel/housing accommodations for non-local interns, strongly indicating a Pittsburgh-based program. The hybrid model means interns will work from home on Mondays and Fridays and in the office Tuesday through Thursday.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is designed for collaboration, with opportunities to interact with full-time designers, product managers, and engineers.

• Interns will have access to necessary technology and tools to perform their duties.

• The hybrid model offers flexibility, balancing in-person collaboration with the convenience of remote work.

• Corporate office amenities such as an on-site gym and Starbucks enhance the daily work experience.

Work Schedule: The internship follows a standard 40-hour work week, Monday to Friday, with a hybrid arrangement requiring in-office presence for three days per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment description clarifies the hybrid model and the expected in-office days. It also addresses the potential discrepancy in location, leaning towards the detailed description of the Pittsburgh Corporate Office as the primary internship site, while acknowledging the listed Warsaw location. The amenities and collaborative aspects of the workspace are highlighted.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Candidates must submit their application, including a digital portfolio.

• Initial Screening: Applications and portfolios will be reviewed for alignment with required skills and qualifications.

• Virtual Interviews: Candidates will likely undergo one or more virtual interviews, potentially including behavioral and technical questions. Cameras must be on during these interviews.

• Portfolio Presentation: A key component will be the presentation and discussion of the candidate's digital portfolio, showcasing their design process and problem-solving abilities.

• Final Evaluation: Assessment will focus on design thinking, user empathy, communication skills, cultural fit, and potential for growth within the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Select Projects: Choose 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your UX design process and problem-solving skills.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (research, ideation, testing, iteration), your design decisions, and the final outcome or impact.

• Highlight User-Centricity: Emphasize how user research informed your design choices and how you advocated for the user throughout the process.

• Showcase Process, Not Just Polish: Include wireframes, sketches, user flows, and research findings to demonstrate your thought process, not just final high-fidelity mockups.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or data that demonstrate the success or impact of your designs (e.g., improved usability scores, conversion rates, task completion times).

• Tailor to DICK'S: Research DICK'S Sporting Goods' brand, target audience, and existing digital products. Consider how your portfolio projects align with their business and user needs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your design process and rationale in detail.

• Anticipate questions about how you handle design challenges, feedback, and collaboration.

• Practice articulating your ideas clearly and concisely, especially when explaining complex design concepts.

• Understand that AI tools are explicitly prohibited during interviews; prepare to answer questions and present your work without their assistance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application and portfolio review process is detailed based on the job description's requirements and standard industry practices for UX internships. Specific advice is provided for portfolio creation and presentation, focusing on demonstrating process, impact, and user-centricity, which are critical for operations-related roles. The prohibition of AI tools during interviews is noted as a key requirement.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: While not explicitly listed, candidates are expected to be proficient in industry-standard tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar for wireframing, prototyping, and visual design.

• User Research Tools: Familiarity with tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing (e.g., UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey, Google Forms).

• Collaboration Tools: Experience with platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, and Confluence for team communication, project management, and documentation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis: Ability to analyze qualitative data from user research and potentially quantitative data from analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to inform design decisions.

• Reporting: Skills in summarizing research findings and presenting them effectively to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct focus for a UX intern, understanding how user interfaces integrate with CRM systems and automated workflows can provide valuable context for designing effective user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is inferred based on typical UX design roles and the nature of a large retail organization. The emphasis is on tools used in the design and research process, as well as general collaboration and reporting software common in corporate environments.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• People-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and serving the needs of Athletes (customers) and Teammates (employees) in all product development efforts.

• Innovation & Improvement: A drive to create transformational experiences by innovating solutions to business problems and continuously improving processes and products.

• Teamwork & Collaboration: A culture where "everyone plays a critical role" and teams "win together," emphasizing shared success and mutual support.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing research and analysis to inform strategic design decisions and measure impact.

• Authenticity & Passion: Encouraging genuine passion for sports and a commitment to the company's mission.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Close collaboration with Product Designers, Product Managers, Software Engineers, and business partners is essential for successful product development.

• Mentorship & Learning: A supportive environment where interns are paired with managers, mentors, and peers to facilitate learning and professional growth.

• Open Communication: Encouraging clear and accessible communication of ideas and findings across different levels of the organization.

• Hybrid Work Integration: Adapting collaboration strategies to effectively work across remote and in-office team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture and values are synthesized from the company's mission statement and the description of the internship program, highlighting aspects relevant to an operations-focused role such as data-driven decision-making, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to the rapid pace of product development in a large retail organization and meeting project deadlines.

• Balancing User Needs and Business Goals: Effectively translating user research insights into design solutions that also align with business objectives and technical constraints.

• Cross-Functional Communication: Clearly articulating design rationale and research findings to diverse stakeholders with varying technical backgrounds.

• Navigating a Large Organization: Understanding the broader business context and operational processes of DICK'S Sporting Goods to ensure design solutions are integrated effectively.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Hands-on Project Experience: Gaining practical experience in UX research, design, and product development through a strategic corporate project.

• Mentorship Program: Receiving guidance and coaching from experienced professionals in UX design, product management, and technology leadership.

• Professional Development Workshops: Participating in workshops focused on business acumen, office professionalism, and retail industry insights.

• Executive Exposure: Interacting with senior leaders through the Executive Speaker Series provides invaluable insights into corporate strategy and leadership.

• Full-Time Pipeline: The opportunity to be considered for full-time roles in the Technology Development Program post-internship offers a clear growth trajectory.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are framed around typical internship experiences in corporate environments, with a focus on operational aspects like balancing needs, communication, and organizational navigation. Growth opportunities emphasize structured learning and career progression.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a time you had to balance user needs with business constraints. How did you approach it?" (Prepare a STAR method answer focusing on a past project, highlighting research and compromise.)

• "How do you approach user research, and what methods do you find most effective for understanding user behavior in a retail context?" (Discuss your research toolkit and how you adapt methods to specific project goals and user types.)

• "Describe your process for translating user research findings into design solutions. How do you ensure your designs are user-centered?" (Walk through your typical workflow, emphasizing synthesis and iterative design.)

• "How do you communicate complex design ideas or research insights to non-design stakeholders?" (Prepare examples of presentations, reports, or conversations where you effectively bridged communication gaps.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about DICK'S Sporting Goods and our mission?" (Research the company's values, recent initiatives, and how your passion for sports or retail aligns.)

• "How do you see yourself contributing to our people-centric culture?" (Reflect on the company's values and provide examples of how you embody similar traits like empathy, collaboration, or a passion for service.)

• "What are your expectations for a hybrid work environment?" (Discuss your understanding of the hybrid model and how you plan to maintain productivity and collaboration.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the problem statement, your role, the research conducted, key design decisions, challenges faced, and the outcome.

• Highlight Your Process: Visually showcase your design process with sketches, wireframes, user flows, and research artifacts. Explain why you made certain decisions.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify the results of your design work whenever possible. If direct metrics aren't available, discuss the intended impact and how you would measure it.

• Be Ready for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, research methodologies, and how you handle constructive criticism.

• Practice Your Delivery: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it flows smoothly, stays within a reasonable time limit, and effectively conveys your skills and passion. Remember, AI tools are not permitted, so rely on your own preparation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation focuses on common UX interview questions, emphasizing the STAR method, research methodologies, and communication skills. The advice for portfolio presentation is designed to help candidates showcase their process and impact effectively, aligning with the operational expectations of a UX role. The explicit prohibition of AI tools is reiterated.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Design (UX) internship:

• Submit your application through the DICK'S Sporting Goods Workday portal.

• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a digital portfolio showcasing 3-5 of your strongest UX design projects. Ensure each project clearly details the problem, your role, research methods, design process, decision rationale, and outcomes. Focus on demonstrating user-centered design and problem-solving skills.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight relevant coursework, skills (UX design, user research, communication, collaboration), and any prior project or internship experience. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your portfolio projects in detail, articulate your design process, and answer behavioral questions using the STAR method. Practice presenting your work clearly and concisely, as AI tools are prohibited during interviews.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research DICK'S Sporting Goods, its mission, values, and its approach to technology and customer experience. Understand their position in the retail industry and how UX contributes to their operational success.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.