Wow, so much can happen within a year! This time last year I was getting ready to accept my first job out of college- with the Nebraska Huskers to manage the video content on Huskers.com and help manage the @Huskers social media accounts. Throughout my first year in the industry, I have learned so much useful information that I feel would be really useful for individuals who want to work in college athletics... so, here it goes!
- Learn Anything and Everything in College
Sure this sounds obvious, but it really isn't. At a lot of universities you must "specialize" in different types of media. Whether it is "TV" or "Print" or "Social Media", it is crucial to learn at least a little bit of ALL types of media. For example, I was Telecommunications-Production. I learned how things operate behind the scenes, but also was involved with many aspects of media on camera as well as knew a little bit about managing social media. After talking with Nebraska Director of Digital Media, Kelly Mosier, he believes that "getting valuable experience in college is crucial to being able to work in the digital media industry in college athletics." The more well rounded you are, the harder it will be for a potential employer to ignore you, which brings me to my next point.
-Stay Aggressive
The first job out of college is the hardest one to get. Trust me, you will be denied or ignored for several jobs that you apply for. When you apply for a job, if you simply "fill out the online application", then you might as well not apply at all. It is crucial to do extra research. Inquire about who the person is that will be reviewing your application, email them extra samples of your work, have your current bosses or professors email them on your behalf. Make it seem like any job you apply for, is your dream job! If you get a personal email from someone reviewing your application that says "you are not qualified for this job, but thanks for applying" do not get discouraged. You're young, its tough to get a job. At least the employer knows your name now, after all, they wrote you a personal email.
-Network, Network, Network
Anywhere and everywhere you go, meet people. You never know who could help you in the future. Often times, at the most unexpected times you may meet people that could help you in the industry. For example, this year, I missed a connecting flight in Denver. I had a day to explore and went to the Colorado Rockies Stadium. Outside the stadium, I took a picture and tweeted it to the @Rockies. Little did I know, I would not only get a tour of the stadium, but would also make connections that I still consistently keep in touch with several people at the Rockies organization that I still consistently keep in touch with today. ALWAYS try to meet people, email them to thank them, and then keep in touch with them! If you meet them once, they will eventually forget you. Don't let them forget you.
-We Are Doctors That Don't Save Lives
If you want to work "normal" hours, then let me warn you now: don't bother getting into the sports media industry. I like to think that we are always on call. Sure we have office hours during the "normal office hours." Then we also work sporting events on nights and weekends, travel, and are constantly keeping up with our current, and former players on social media. In addition, if a coach gets fired, or hired, then you will be called upon quickly. If you aren't willing to work 60+ hours a week, every week, seriously, just don't bother joining the industry. People often misconstrue our industry for "sitting around, playing on social media and watching sports." It is much, MUCH more than that. You become a statistician analyzing numbers, a camera man, an editor, and you must always be thinking ahead trying to be creative with your brand.
-Nothing Should Offend You
You will quickly learn that some people on social media are just stupid. It is hard to put it any other way. Not only will your brand get attacked by some fans, or fans of opposing teams, but the student athletes, and your personal accounts can also be "attacked" on twitter. It has been as simple as an admittedly drunk fan telling me to "Go back to Florida where you belong" or it can be tweets filled with F bombs to a team account. Bottom line is, people say things on social media that they would never say to your face. Take it with a grain of salt, smile, and just shake it off. If you're going to get into this industry, don't allow anything to offend you, just roll with the punches.
-Be a Sponge
Soak everything in, everywhere you go. Once you get that first job, ask questions, develop mentors, discover who are good follows on Twitter in the social media industry, get involved in different social media chats, read people's opinions but be sure to develop your stance on social media platforms. Hopefully you will be in a place where you can ask a million questions. I've been very fortunate to work with one of the best in the business, Kelly Mosier, where I pick his brain daily.
Our jobs are SO rewarding. There are so many fun aspects that come with working in athletics and getting to see the day to day lives of our coaches and athletes. Good luck to all the young folks joining the digital media world! I know myself, and others are excited to see what creative ideas you bring to our industry!
- Learn Anything and Everything in College
Sure this sounds obvious, but it really isn't. At a lot of universities you must "specialize" in different types of media. Whether it is "TV" or "Print" or "Social Media", it is crucial to learn at least a little bit of ALL types of media. For example, I was Telecommunications-Production. I learned how things operate behind the scenes, but also was involved with many aspects of media on camera as well as knew a little bit about managing social media. After talking with Nebraska Director of Digital Media, Kelly Mosier, he believes that "getting valuable experience in college is crucial to being able to work in the digital media industry in college athletics." The more well rounded you are, the harder it will be for a potential employer to ignore you, which brings me to my next point.
-Stay Aggressive
The first job out of college is the hardest one to get. Trust me, you will be denied or ignored for several jobs that you apply for. When you apply for a job, if you simply "fill out the online application", then you might as well not apply at all. It is crucial to do extra research. Inquire about who the person is that will be reviewing your application, email them extra samples of your work, have your current bosses or professors email them on your behalf. Make it seem like any job you apply for, is your dream job! If you get a personal email from someone reviewing your application that says "you are not qualified for this job, but thanks for applying" do not get discouraged. You're young, its tough to get a job. At least the employer knows your name now, after all, they wrote you a personal email.
-Network, Network, Network
Anywhere and everywhere you go, meet people. You never know who could help you in the future. Often times, at the most unexpected times you may meet people that could help you in the industry. For example, this year, I missed a connecting flight in Denver. I had a day to explore and went to the Colorado Rockies Stadium. Outside the stadium, I took a picture and tweeted it to the @Rockies. Little did I know, I would not only get a tour of the stadium, but would also make connections that I still consistently keep in touch with several people at the Rockies organization that I still consistently keep in touch with today. ALWAYS try to meet people, email them to thank them, and then keep in touch with them! If you meet them once, they will eventually forget you. Don't let them forget you.
-We Are Doctors That Don't Save Lives
If you want to work "normal" hours, then let me warn you now: don't bother getting into the sports media industry. I like to think that we are always on call. Sure we have office hours during the "normal office hours." Then we also work sporting events on nights and weekends, travel, and are constantly keeping up with our current, and former players on social media. In addition, if a coach gets fired, or hired, then you will be called upon quickly. If you aren't willing to work 60+ hours a week, every week, seriously, just don't bother joining the industry. People often misconstrue our industry for "sitting around, playing on social media and watching sports." It is much, MUCH more than that. You become a statistician analyzing numbers, a camera man, an editor, and you must always be thinking ahead trying to be creative with your brand.
-Nothing Should Offend You
You will quickly learn that some people on social media are just stupid. It is hard to put it any other way. Not only will your brand get attacked by some fans, or fans of opposing teams, but the student athletes, and your personal accounts can also be "attacked" on twitter. It has been as simple as an admittedly drunk fan telling me to "Go back to Florida where you belong" or it can be tweets filled with F bombs to a team account. Bottom line is, people say things on social media that they would never say to your face. Take it with a grain of salt, smile, and just shake it off. If you're going to get into this industry, don't allow anything to offend you, just roll with the punches.
-Be a Sponge
Soak everything in, everywhere you go. Once you get that first job, ask questions, develop mentors, discover who are good follows on Twitter in the social media industry, get involved in different social media chats, read people's opinions but be sure to develop your stance on social media platforms. Hopefully you will be in a place where you can ask a million questions. I've been very fortunate to work with one of the best in the business, Kelly Mosier, where I pick his brain daily.
Our jobs are SO rewarding. There are so many fun aspects that come with working in athletics and getting to see the day to day lives of our coaches and athletes. Good luck to all the young folks joining the digital media world! I know myself, and others are excited to see what creative ideas you bring to our industry!