USC cheerleader Molly Hammer speaks to us about her experience as a collegiate athlete in the states, her summer internship here at TTP and how she’s finding the London life.
Molly started out in cheer when she was in 7th grade, performing routines at local youth competitions before progressing onto the high school scene.
“When I went to high school I joined our pep squad, cheering at football games, basketball games, sporting events, pep rallies, and other things that our administration would want us to go to and support the school at,” she said. “I also would occasionally go to an all-star cheer gym, they’re like a club competition group.”
Having gained some all-star cheer experience in high school, Molly set her sights on her dream college, University of Southern California (USC).
“I chose USC because it was my dream school, not just in terms of academics and school spirit, but it really had everything that I wanted.”
“I’ll be the first to admit I don’t have a great tumbling background, but my stunting is strong, and that was exactly what they were looking for.”
“I just knew that USC was something I could be a part of, it really just ticked all the boxes.”
“Now I get to go to our football and basketball games and I’m also on the competition cheer team, so I get to do all the big collegiate competitions across the country which I love!”
Molly could be forgiven for wanting to shy away from the spotlight of the 80,000 capacity LA coliseum. However, she takes it all in her stride and stresses how much she enjoys being out there cheering with her team.
“There are so many people at the USC games that the crowd just kind of becomes one big blur, and you just get used to it. You take on the persona of a confident cheerleader.”
“If I were ‘just Molly’ going out there, I’d be terrified. But you have the team, you’re trained well, and we practice, so when we step out there, we know what we’re doing.”
“I have to remind myself when I’m having a nervous moment that I know what I’m doing. I won’t mess up because I’m trained for this.”
“So there really isn’t a reason for me to be scared. I just really love the energy, everyone’s there to be happy and excited, you never fell like you’re in a place to be judged.”
The community feel to campus life is something Molly has particularly enjoyed as a member of TriDelta, her school sorority.
She explained to us what it’s like to be a part of a sorority house, something that so many of us only ever see in films
“I mean, I’m obsessed! I just love it! I love going to school, and I love just being on campus. Everyone in my sorority is there to support one another.”
“The sorority house is one giant support system, especially for women. That’s what’s important to me, having this group of women that is, you know, there for you whenever you need it”
“The social aspect is also a big part of it, USC especially has a lot going on. Our sporting events are a big deal and that’s why I love cheering and those games”
“It’s very much a work hard play hard atmosphere. We have very strong, very serious academics, but also lots of fun, lots of activities, and you can get involved in almost anything you want!”
USC run a programme that enables their business school students, like Molly, to transfer over to several different countries like Australia, Singapore, Spain as well as here in the UK.
Molly decided to take the leap of faith and relocate to London for her summer internship, joining the team here at TTP and assisting with all things social media, marketing and more.
The west-coast sunshine and palm tree lined streets of LA are a far cry from the London life, but Molly reassured us what a great experience she is having here
“I knew that I wanted to study abroad” she said. “I also knew that I was getting to the point in my college career that I needed to find really relevant internships that gave me good work experience. So, I figured that this was the perfect opportunity to have both.”
“I’ve always wanted to be in the UK and live in the UK at some point in my life, and so all the stars aligned in that aspect.”
“Now that I’m doing it, it’s even more than I expected. The people I’m meeting and the experience I’m already getting out of this internship, it’s incredible”
“I can already feel myself growing as a person more than I ever would have if I had stayed home.”
We have loved having you onboard Molly, and can’t wait to see you continue to grow & flourish!
