SPORTS INTERN SHOW

In this episode, we chat with the VP of Human Resources at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kristin Hamwey. Our conversation revolves around internship interviews, how to approach them correctly, how to be prepared for them, and what we should avoid doing in them. Kristin shared some examples of networking done right, what she looks for in a candidate during an interview, and much more. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.   **********************************************************************"Don't be afraid of making that connection with someone in sports. You may not get any answer, but, someday you will. And I assure you it will open doors." Kristin Hamwey.  Kristin is an accomplished Human Resources Executive with over 30 years of experience helping organizations reach their goals and succeed. She is a creative thinker, focused on matching the needs and skills of employees with the mission of the organization they work for.  Kristin worked for 25 years in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. She started as Human Resources Director in 1985, then she acted as Operations Manager and Sales Manager, finally spending another 7 years as Human Resources Director before joining the Buccaneers.  Today, Kristin shared excellent insights on how candidates should prepare for an internship interview. She explained how they almost immediately can tell the difference between someone ready for an interview and someone just logging in on Zoom to join a meeting on their calendar.  We also talked about approaching interviews from a different perspective, understanding the person interviewing us is trying to solve a problem and is hoping WE are the person they're looking for. Resources: Tampa Bay Buccaneers website: https://www.buccaneers.com/ Kristin Hamwey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-hamwey-sphr-shrm-scp-403a837/

Today's episode is a special one; we will cover some of the new exciting things we are cooking for Red Shirt Scholars, the changes on the podcast show, and the type of content I'll start sharing from now on. We will also go through some top tips to clinch your ideal job, the briefcase technique, the dos and don'ts during job interviews, and more. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.   ***************************************************************** Although we mentioned it several times in the show, we can't stress enough the importance of networking. When networking is done correctly, sometimes a job interview can be just a formality to introduce us to the staff or formally present us to management. Proper networking, being specific and strategic about the applications we submit are some of the key elements we talk about today, which will put you closer to your dream job in the sports industry.   

In today's episode, we chat with Rachel Gutting, Director of Communications & Strategic Initiatives, at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Our conversation revolves around the internship at the Hall, how many applications they get every summer, how they go through them, and what characteristics they look for in future candidates. Rachel shares how a day 1 of an intern looks like and describes her work before Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.   ********************************************************************** "Out of the 1500 plus applications we receive every summer, 90% of them say they want to work at the Hall because they love sports. (...) What else do you love? Do you love the business side of sports? You should love sports but also be interested in something more; just because you love sports doesn't mean you'll be great at Marketing." - Rachel Gutting. Rachel Gutting started as a Communications Assistant and worked her way up to becoming the Director of Communications & Strategic Initiatives at the Hall. She holds a B.S. in Kinesiology and Sports Communication from Indiana University and a J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law.  Every summer, at the Hall of Fame, they receive over 1500 applications from students interested in their internship programs. The selective process takes months because they go through the applications one by one and dedicate the same time and effort applicants did. This is done to respect the time applicants put in filling the forms and knowing the candidates better.  Throughout this episode, we talk about the process of getting an internship at the Hall, what makes candidates less interesting for the position, and the questions every student should know how to answer in their interviews. We also go through the job interns perform at the Hall archive and what characteristics communication interns should have.  Visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame website: https://www.profootballhof.com/ Or connect with Rachel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-gutting-b7924461/  

In this episode, we look at internships from the expert point of view of Leah Babbitt, Human Resources VP at the Dallas Wings. We talk about writing the perfect resume and the importance of matching candidates' personalities with the type of work environment. Leah kindly shared details of how she approaches job interviews, her take on unpaid internships, and transferable skills. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.   **********************************************************************"Writing a resume is a little bit of an art. There is a balance between making sure you represent yourself with enough details to get someone's attention without completely filling a page and distracting them from your overall message." - Leah Babbitt. Leah Babbitt is the Vice President of Human Resources at the Dallas Wings. She is also a Strategic Business Partner of Human Resources at American Fidelity. Leah holds a degree in Forensic Psychology from the University of Maryland.  When conducting interviews, Leah focuses on trying to get the essence of every candidate's personality. Asking questions about the candidate's past experiences, Leah can get a better understanding of what motivates or frustrates that person. For her, working in an incompatible environment is as frustrating as being led by a disastrous manager.  Leah also shared her opinion on unpaid internships, the present and future projects at the Dallas Wings, and how COVID affected the flow of internships.  You can visit the Dallas Wings website: https://wings.wnba.com/ Or connect with Leah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-babbitt-a8857915b/

This week, we talk about the importance of making contacts in sports while we are in college. I've noticed many people find themselves graduated with no experience and with no connections to make things worse. I'll share what I did and still do to enlarge my contacts list and what we can do to reach out and get in touch with people in the industry. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. 

In this episode, we answer a controversial question: overall, do unpaid internships help or hurt your professional career? We look at unpaid internships' pros and cons and their alternatives for those who want to go through a different path. I'll also share my personal experience with unpaid internships, what I think of them, and the results they gave me. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. 

Today, we continue talking about how to be prepared for a job interview. I'll share some questions I've got from a sports talent acquisition specialist that'll be helpful for future interviews. We'll explore questions asked for both entry-level and managerial positions, and we will also look at the proper posture, attitude, and mindset before an interview. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.  

Continuing our episode series on tips to clinch job interviews, we answer a question all of us should be ready to answer, why should I hire you? We discuss how to approach this question correctly, what to avoid when answering it, and the best way to prepare ourselves for an interview. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.

In this episode, we talk about something most applicants fail to answer correctly during a job interview: "tell me about yourself." I share with you some tips to consider when answering this during an interview, so you can put together a compelling story about yourself. We will look at the length and content of a proper answer, what we need to avoid, and what we must focus on. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.

Today, I chatted with Deshaun Harris, CEO at Intrusive Sports Agency. Our conversation flowed through the different aspects of being a Certified NBPA Agent, looking outside the sports realm as a pathway into the industry, and Deshaun's core values. We also talked about diversity, representation, giving back to the community, and the "children mentality" needed to thrive at any activity, not just sports. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. ********************************************************************** "Living like a child is questioning everything (...) Why am I doing this? How can I get better? Who am I? (...) That is something everyone has initially, and society can diminish that for others. But I think living like a child, questioning everything (...) has given me a great attitude as I continue to grow as a person. And understanding the growth is continuous, it's never gonna stop. And that is living like a child as well." - Deshaun Harris.   Deshaun Harris is doing his PhD in Sports Leadership at Concordia University Chicago. He holds a BA. in Sociology from the University of California San Diego and a MA in Communication and Media Studies from California Baptist University.  At the beginning of his career, Deshaun had an internship at the National Children's Hospital, which will be a defining moment for him personally and professionally. He learned there about empathy, showing up every day as the best version of himself, and most importantly, he learned a lot about servant leadership.  After getting his NBPA Agent license, becoming one of the youngest certified agents, Deshaun started his path on his own, without working for any agency.  We also talked about the Joyce Harris-Cottman Externship Initiative, named after her grandmother, a woman who survived domestic abuse and the mother of six. Against all odds, she decided to pursue a career and become a nurse. Little she knew that her perseverance and ambition changed her family's trajectory and inspired the entire community.  The Joyce Harris-Cottman Externship Initiative annually provides Historically Black College/Universities (HBCU) and Minority Institutions of Higher Education (MIHE) students externship opportunities. The program is designed to expose, engage, educate and empower students by providing hands-on experiences.  Tune in and enjoy Deshaun's inspiring view of the sports industry, the world of business, and life.   You can visit Intrusive Sports Agency: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intrusivesports/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5AVWB7V-FobTzGMQFb_Rxw/videosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/intrusivesports/?hl=esTwitter: https://twitter.com/intrusivesports?lang=esor connect with Deshaun on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deshaun-harris-952672139/  

In this episode, we chat with the networking expert Kelly Hoey, author of Build Your Dream Network and podcast host. Kelly is passionate about rebranding, networking, and helping people build networks to achieve their career goals. Kelly kindly shared some nuggets of her experience on interviews, the dos and don'ts of networking, cold outreach, follow-ups, and much more. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. ************************************************************** "The things that will help you get a job are the ones that expand your mind." - Kelly Hoey. Kelly Hoey is the author of Build Your Dream Network: Forging Powerful Relationships in a Hyper-Connected World. She has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Business Insider, and Inc. Kelly has been included in the "100 Most Influential Global Leaders Empowering Women Worldwide" list by EWM in 2020. Kelly hosts the Build Your Dream Network Podcast, where she addresses the frustrations and challenges of networking, teaches how to network "the right way," and shares creative strategies. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from the University of Victoria and a J.D. in Law from The University of British Columbia. We had a fantastic conversation about common misconceptions on networking, the behavior during interviews, and the right way of approaching people we want to connect with.  Kelly shared several stories from her vast experience in networking about candidates in different situations, those who impressed her and those who didn't.  Hop on and enjoy Kelly's networking masterclass.  You can visit Kelly's website Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn Follow her on Instagram  Book: Kelly Hoey - Build Your Dream Network: Forging Powerful Relationships in a Hyper-Connected World

I've prepared something different for this week; I'm trying these new short and sweet inspirational episodes. Today, I'll share the answer the comedian Jerry Seinfeld gave when someone asked him for advice to become a great comedian. The idea behind this new initiative is to encourage you to keep trying, never quit, and keep pursuing your dream of getting into the sports industry. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.

We will continue with our Q&A episodes; this time, I will answer questions on how to get internships and entry-level jobs at the big four of American sports, the NBA, NHL, MLB, and NFL. We will talk about the right approach to get a response from the recruiters' team, the importance of getting good at online research, and the different paths of putting the foot in the door in the sports industry. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.  ********************************************************************** Doing proper research on Google can get us close to HR people from different organizations. We want to reach out to those people and ask them if they are handling the internships. If they are not, we will ask them to put us in the right direction and tell us who we should talk to.  Some Questions I Answer: How can I get an internship as an analyst with an MLB team? What is the best way to get an internship in an NBA franchise? How do I get an internship in the NHL?

Today's episode is all about fall internships. I'll answer some of the questions I've received about how, when, and the best way to apply for fall internships. I'll share some of the best advice I've got from the previous guest to the show and some tips about the most effective ways to guarantee an interview for that dream job in sports. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.  ************************************************************** One of the questions I get a lot is when is the right time to start applying for fall internships, and the answer is NOW is the best time; that is why I've decided to do this episode. Some Questions I'll Answer: Does anyone know any company that is recruiting for fall internships? When does the fall 2021 internship season start? Is there a specific timeline that companies have to look for fall interns or varies from company to company?

In this episode, we chat with Nate Silverman, Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships and Social Responsibilities at the Seattle Storms. Nate shared his experiences and funny stories from his internship with the Knicks at the Madison Square Garden and how he got into his dream job with the Seattle Supersonics first and the Storm now. He kindly shared some advice on outreach, interviews for positions in sports, and internships. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. **********************************************************************"If you want to get into sports, and you are not thinking about sales, I encourage you to try other avenues. But if you are striking out and you are not getting your foot in the door, if there are no other options, you should definitely consider sales." - Nate Silverman on ticket sales "bad reputation" among students interested in getting into sports. Nate Silverman has vast experience in the NBA and WNBA; he worked for the Supersonics and the Storm as an Account Executive from 2004 to 2007. Now he acts as a Senior Vice President. During his time away from the NBA and the WNBA, he worked at the Seattle Sports Commission, Sync Sports & Entertainment, and Learfield Sports. During his time at Learfield Sports, Nate developed and sold multi-media assets and managed corporate partnerships on behalf of San Diego State Athletics and the Mountain West Conference. Nate shared his varied experience in the sports industry throughout this episode and shared some brilliant insights on outreach, cold calling, and, most importantly, on following up.  We talked about his experiences interviewing candidates, and he highlighted the best attitude an applicant can have and what students should avoid when reaching out to executives and during interviews.  You can connect with Nate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natesilverman/ Or you can send him an email to: nsilverman@stormbasketball.com

Today, we talk with Zachary Welch, a Cornell University student in his 3rd year of his B.S in Industrial and Labor Relations, Minoring in Information Science and Business, and Director of Training at Sports Aptitude. We spoke about why he decided to get into the sports industry, how he used college to do it, and his approach to networking. In addition, he shared his do's and don'ts of outreach and cleared up some doubts about the NBA draft. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. **********************************************************************"It seems disingenuous if you hop on a call with someone (already in the sports industry) and say basically, can I have a job?" - Zachary Welch about the dos and don'ts of outreach.   Zachary Welch acted as Contributing Writer and Co-President of Big Red Sports Network. He also volunteered as Video Scouting Assistant of Women's Basketball for the University of Houston and participated in an internship at the Sports Operations Intern program from The Tatnuck Group.  A big catalyst for his interest in the sports industry was the blockbuster trade between the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets when Boston send Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry to Brooklyn. He got so curious about the trade that he decided to do everything possible to be part of the NBA, and so he did.  We had a fantastic conversation about Zachary's experience so far networking and building his path into the industry, what worked for him, and what didn't.  We also talked about his experience working for the Atlanta Hawks and how consistency and commitment to excellence opened many doors.  You can find Zachary on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-welch/  

This week, we chatted with D.J. Dikitanan, Business Operations Manager of the South Bay Lakers. We talked about D.J's journey starting in the hotels' industry and getting into sports by developing transferable skills. He shared how it was the surreal night where basketball was suspended for the pandemic and how his work has changed. D.J. also shared some advice for students and what he would do if he had to start over as a new grad. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. ********************************************************************* "The sports industry is not big, and since it is so small, do not burn bridges. If you do a subpar job because you are not happy with your boss, that might trickle down elsewhere." - D.J. Dikitanan. D.J. Dikitanan holds a B.S in Business Administration, Management and Operations from California State University - Long Beach and a Masters' of Arts in Sports Management from the University of San Francisco.  After working for a couple of years as a Customer Service Specialist, he spent over 10 years working in the hotels' industry at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. In addition, he works as a Player Tracking System Specialist at Zebra Technologies, and he is the founder of Dikitanan Solutions, where he supports brands in optimizing their customer service. Throughout this episode, he highlighted the importance of developing transferable skills to get into the sports industry. We also talked about being always ready to leave a good impression, whether on an interview or an internship.  When we talked about reaching out and networking, he emphasized the importance of doing the homework, i.e. informing ourselves about the person we are about to meet, staying connected, and being up to date with the industry's information.  Connect with D.J: LinkedIn

In this episode, we talk with Ally Capriotti and Haley McCown from Fanatics, Inc. Ally is a College Relations & Internship Recruiter, and Haley is the Director of Recruiting. We spoke about Fanatics' internship recruitment process, its onboarding process, and what characteristics they value in an internship candidate. They kindly shared Fanatics' sourcing methods and how it was impacted by the pandemic. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.  ********************************************************************* "Rather than saying, I want to be an assistant buyer, find a company you want to target, or a couple of companies and go after those. What always impresses me is when someone wants "this job at Fanatics," not just "this job." It helps when people want the job at your company - Haley McCown.  Fanatics is a global leader in sports merchandise, changing how fans purchase their favorite jerseys and sports gear. They offer the most extensive collection of timeless and timely merchandise available to shop online, on mobile devices, in stores, stadiums, or on-site at the world's most significant sporting events.  Ally Capriotti has managed a broad global internship program at Fanatics. She planned and organized several events for 50+ interns, recruited top candidates in merchandising, technology, accounting, marketing, and human resources for internship programs. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Jacksonville University.  Haley McCown is an experienced Talent Acquisition leader specializing in leading teams and recruitment of eCommerce, Digital Marketing, Technology, Analytics, Operations, Retail, Finance, and Merchandising. Throughout this episode, Haley and Ally explained Fanatics' sourcing and recruiting process. We talked about what candidates should pay attention to before applying for an internship and what to avoid.  They also shared their best advice for students interested in being part of Fanatics, what they look for in candidates during interviews, and what makes Fanatics' internships different from the rest of the apprenticeships.  Resources: Fanatics Careers Connect with Ally: LinkedIn Connect with Haley: LinkedIn

In this episode, we will talk about summer internships. I'll share some tips to start the internship journey during the summer. We will go through some options for those interested in marketing and the industry's business side. We will discuss the importance of freelancing, starting our projects, and outreach. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.

In today's episode, I'll be answering some questions I've found on Reddit about networking. We will go through the questions college students ask about how to network, the best way to do it, what is the point of it, and more. I'll share some networking and internship insights I hope you found valuable. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.  ********************************************************************* "Try to help your acquaintance in their role, don't approach them from the perspective of what can you gain, but from the standpoint of how can I serve?" - Colbi Ellison. Throughout this episode, I will answer some questions like, how do I network? What is the point of networking? How to network when you are an introvert? And more. We will also talk about time. Is there a time to network, or can you start anytime to build your network?  Tune in and listen to Episode #41 and join me in this journey of clearing doubts and helping each other. 

In today's episode, I'll make a pause to congratulate every one of you graduating in the following days. All of us behind this podcast wish you success and a happy journey in the sports industry. And for those still working their way in, the message is one and straightforward: don't give up, keep insisting, and create. Creating something will give the reps you need, and at the same time, help you create a portfolio that will speak for you.  If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.

In this episode, we talk with NFL Players Association Executive Associate Mark Cobb. We talked about the kind of internships the institution offers and the broad set of opportunities it grants. We spoke about the internship admission process and routines, and he kindly shared some tips for those interested in being part of the organization. We also talked about Mark's unique approach to the recruitment process and its benefits. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.  ********************************************************************* "What is the point of being in the treasure house if you're not going to steal a few coins? If you are working downstairs in Former Players, why wouldn't you go downstairs to the next floor and find out what the Commercial people are doing? What is a Licensing Manager, what is that about? What is the difference between managing somebody's image and likeness vs. buying jerseys?" - Mark Cobb.  Mark Cobb has been an Executive Associate of the NFLPA for the last 11 years. An organization that is basically a labor union for NFL players, granting them their safety, health, benefits, etc. But the NFLPA is also known for having one of the most complete and resourceful internship programs in the industry. In Mark's words, "anything you would want to do in sports, we probably know somebody who is doing it."  For instance, the NFLPA has access to EA; they own a part of Madden.  One of the NFLPA internship policies is to get the internships involved in every activity of the organization. If there is an important meeting or conference call, the instruction is to include the interns. Make them part of everything to be prepared and have authentic experiences of how their work will look like in the future.  Mark also shared valuable information regarding students' applications, essays, and cover letters. We also talked about his unique approach to the hiring process. Mark enjoys talking with students and interacting with them, and he makes sure he replies to every email.  Tune in and listen to the experienced Mark Cobb, and enjoy his masterclass on putting the foot in the industry's door.  Resources: NFLPA Website Connect with Mark: LinkedIn Email: mark.cobb@nflpa.com

In this episode, we talk with the fantastic Melissa M. Proctor, CMO of the Atlanta Hawks. She kindly shared how she became the first ball girl in the NBA and what that experience taught her. We also talked about how candidates should market themselves and what tactic she would use today to look for a job. We also talked about building confidence and the best way to approach someone we want to network with. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. "You can build confidence, but sometimes you just have to walk in fear. And the next step will find you, and you will be ok." - Melissa M. Proctor.  Melissa Proctor holds a BA in Communications from Wake Forest University and a MA in Design Studies Branding/Marketing from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, England. She is a leader, a brand builder, a creative, a best-selling author, and a proud mom.  She recently published her book "From Ball Girl to CMO," where she tells how she decided to be the first female NBA coach without ever playing the game and end up being the first ball girl in the NBA. Her book is an invitation to never give up on our dreams, and she introduces the concept of "guiding principles" to use as a filter and help us achieve our boldest aspirations.  Melissa was always creative; she once made a TV Guide of herself to get a position at Turner, which she got. She did such a fantastic job at marketing herself that the company wanted her to market their products. Melissa commented that it is astonishing the number of people asking for positions in marketing, and they don't know how to market themselves.  Tune in and listen to Melissa's inspiring story of how perseverance, talent, and consistency can change a career's course. Resources: Book: Melissa M. Proctor - From Ball Girl to CMO Melissa M. Proctor Website Connect with Melissa: LinkedIn Instagram Twitter Medium Mentioned in this episode: Book: Mark Cuban - How to Win at the Sport of Business: If I Can Do It, You Can Do It

In today's episode, we will go through a new approach to one of the most effective strategies to get into the sports industry, networking. We will talk about essential elements that will help you grow your networking skills, like commitment, consistency, strategy, and following up on new contacts. I will leave you a simple yet effective plan to expand your network; you will need only two things, a LinkedIn account and an internet connection. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.  We can't stress enough the importance of connecting with people and creating meaningful relationships with professionals already working in the industry. And the best part of it, from my long experience interviewing them, all of them are willing to mentor students and help them put the foot on the door in the sports business.  Tune in and learn how to efficiently grow your network.  Resources: Book: Molly Beck - Reach Out: The Simple Strategy You Need to Expand Your Network and Increase Your Influence

Today, I talked with Re'Aunna Henderson, Owner and Director of Mind-U-Mental Athletic & Academic Development. We had a fantastic conversation about a relatively new side of the sports industry, the teams' mental health. We talked about mental performance, how to improve it, and why it is associated with business and entrepreneurs, not only with sports. Re'Aunna also took us through the process of identifying mental skills. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.  *********************************************************************Re'Aunna has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Northridge, and a Masters of Science in Kinesiology concentrated in Sport and Exercise Psychology from California State University, Long Beach.  Re'Aunna realized there weren't many opportunities in the sports industry from an early age, so she decided to create one for herself, starting her own business. Working for free on many occasions and gaining experience taught her to deal with adversity and generate mental toughness.  In her opinion, entrepreneurship in the sports industry is not for everyone. She believes that the person must have a true passion for starting their own business.  We talked about how it was for her to "convince" coaches from different generations of her work's value and the importance of improving mental performance. She also talked about her work with the US Army and its importance for soldiers, considered tactical athletes, to be in perfect mental shape.  Tune in and listen to Re'Aunna's knowledge about how our minds can put us in our own way or help us thrive and succeed.  Resources: Book: George Mumford - The Mindful Athlete: Secrets to Pure Performance Mind U Mental Website Mind U Mental Twitter Mind U Mental Facebook

In this episode, I had an enlightening conversation with the experienced Michael Lewis, CEO of Rebirth Media Networks, Founder and CEO of Holes Hoops and Hope, and CEO of Brenham Purple Reign. Michael is also temporarily Sports Agent Advisor in Sports Management Worldwide and Regional Talent Advisor at XFL. We talked about internships' experiences, the jobs that taught him most about life, and how he would approach the market as a student. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.  ********************************************************************* "Go to the team’s website, look who the HR representative is, and send them a resume. Even if the positions aren't opening right now. 95% of the time, they will give you a call." - Michael Lewis Michael is a graduated Broadcast Journalist from the University of Nevada - Las Vegas. He got a Master's Degree in Sports and Fitness Administration/ Management from Sports Management Worldwide and an MBA in Sports Business Management from Cornell University. He worked as Fitness Professional and Senior Fitness Instructor. Michael also acted as Head Women's Basketball Coach for five years in the National Women's Basketball League and the Houston Community College System. He was Head Men Basketball Coach in CBA China, Associate Head Coach in the Texas Cyclones Men's Basketball Team, and Basketball Coach of the USA Basketball team in 2016.  Michael kindly shared his point of view on the controversial paid vs. unpaid internships topic, and he expressed what he would do in the position of having to choose between them. He also gave up his tactic to go after a role in the sports industry today.  He is also an experienced basketball player agent, and he took us into an office where a professional player's contract is being signed. He told us the details to be observed in such a pivotal moment in a player and agent's career.  We talked about the importance of fan engagement in social media, putting together a package to send to the HR we consider could give us the job we want in the industry, and much more.  Tune in and listen to Michael's masterclass about the sports industry and its not-so-known moments and places.  Resources: RTV Television Holes Hoops and Hope Website Rebirth Media Inc Website Connect with Michael: LinkedIn  

Today I'm joined by the Author, Attorney, and Law Professor in Sports and Trademarks, Sydnee Mack. The former professional golf player kindly shared her experiences in the countless internships she worked on. We also talked about how playing golf helped her in her professional career and why she decided to stop playing. We also talked about the right way of networking, the importance of authenticity, consistency, and confidence. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.  ********************************************************************* "Send somebody a note, see if they respond. People do. You will be surprised by the responses you get from a simple LinkedIn DM flight." - Sydnee Mack. Sydnee started playing golf at age 5. Her mother, Dr. Jean Jackson, saw in golf an opportunity to get Sydnee and her sister Mackenzie an opportunity for a scholarship. And it worked; both girls got a full scholarship, Sydnee went to play golf for Hampton University, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations, and her sister went to Indiana State University.  Sydnee traveled overseas to teach and offer golf clinics on several European military bases as a golf player. She also got in touch with the Black golf players community, who helped her and made her and her sister feel at home instantly.  Going to places and meeting people was always easy for Sydnee; she would attend events and talk to people she found interesting. She will connect with them without knowing she was actually networking. Her interest in these people was genuine and authentic, therefore long-lasting and eventually productive. That's how she learned the importance of authenticity when networking. In her words, "people can tell when you are not genuine." Sydnee's story is a clear example of how getting in touch with people, getting their contact information, following up that lead, pick up the phone, send an email or a text message is a key to getting a job in the sports industry.  Connect with Sydnee: LinkedIn Facebook Instagram

In this episode, we will talk about something that is kind of a buzzword, pinging. We will go through what it means to ping someone and the different ways we can transform a contact into a secondary relationship or into a friend. We will also talk about what we can do to properly nurture the relationships we have with our network members.  If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.  ********************************************************************* In an industry where one of the keys to success is networking, we must be very good at it.  There are many ways to reach out to someone; we should keep in mind being creative and doing our best to add value somehow. We might send a link to an interesting article we read, commenting on big news related to that person's niche, and so forth.  Networking demands creativity and, above all things, consistency. We have the tools to create a system and be more effective at pinging; we can make Google alerts or even create a spreadsheet schedule.

This week's episode is a solo round where we will talk about the best ways to cut through the noise and get into the sports industry. The general opinion is that it is a complex industry to get in, and it is true, but that doesn't mean it is impossible. We will explore some of the most effective tactics to get a job in sports, what we should pay attention to, and what we should avoid doing. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.  ***************************************************************** In such a competitive industry, simply asking for a job is not enough, even when we have a diploma. Companies will be interested in hiring us depending on the value we can offer to the brand.  It is about changing the approaching mindset; instead of focusing on the skills required for the position, we must consider how we can add value to a team or an organization. What gifts we have that would help them, and what can we do to help them grow.  We must change the way we see the industry, understand how it works, where is it going, what social media channels are not being exploited, or which ones could be used differently.  Resources: Washington Post Article

Today, I had a fantastic conversation with Adrianne Bright, Partnership Activation Manager at the San Francisco 49ers. Always focused on her goals, Adrianne went through unique internship experiences in top companies, like Disney and Nascar. We talked about her journey in the sports industry, the most significant lessons learned from her internships, and how having a vision of what we want for our career can help us. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.  ********************************************************************* "We work in a relationship-driven industry, and knowing how to navigate this space and what tools are out there and what resources are out there, I think that needs to be stressed a little bit more." - Adrianne Bright.  Adrianne Bright has a Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication from Central Michigan University and a Degree in General Business Administration and Management from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). She was a volunteer for White Pine Programs, Freedom Foundation, and Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh.  Sports were present in Adrianne since she was a little kid, and her father would take her to several sports events. She got curious at an early age about the people behind the sports' final product. Adrianne saw the work put behind the spectacle and decided she wanted to be part of it.  Many years later, doing online research, she learned about an internship she didn't know existed, Integrated Marketing Communications. After applying, and with some luck, she got the position at NASCAR. During her internship, she learned a lot about the industry and the sport itself, and the company. For instance, she didn't know about the Drive for Diversity, a program designed to attract minorities to the sport.  Adrianne believes strongly in not being "afraid of making noise" as interns or employees in a company. If we are occupying a position, it is for a reason, and we should always be open to speak our minds, propose changes, and participate with ideas that would make us and the company grow.  Connect with Adrianne: LinkedIn

In this episode, I chatted with Nic Barlage, Cleveland Cavaliers' President of Business Operations. We talked about his first steps in the industry as an intern with the Alexandria Beetles in the Northwood National Baseball League and how that experience helped him get where he is today. He shared four tips for a successful career, his view on dealing with failure, and more. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review.  ********************************************************************* "Failure, if channeled from a positive perspective, becomes an opportunity for all of us to get better." - Nic Barlage. During his internship working for the Alexandria Beetles, Nic did almost everything. Like players' laundry, on-stage host for the games, taking care of the ballpark hanging fence signs or pumping the water out of it if there was heavy rain the previous night. He would also sell the ballpark putting together promotions, making hotdogs, and the list goes on and on.   Nic learned a lot from his experience of the 18+ hours internship working for the Beetles; still, one of the biggest lessons would come after sending over 172 resumes and getting zero response. Far from regret doing that, he believes that that was the first step to start developing patient persistence and fortified determination.  He also referred to how it was for him and his team Lebrons' departure from Cleveland and the things he thinks they could've done differently. We talked about the importance of changing our mindset and treating challenges as opportunities to become better at what we do, turning something that could be considered harmful into something positive. Nic also highlighted the importance of networking in the industry, and he talked about how vital human relationships are.  He shared his four cornerstones for a successful career in the sports industry and the best way to value and take the maximum out of our time; some of his favorite books and the leaders he likes to get inspiration from.  Resources: Book: William N. Thorndike - The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success Book: Stephen A.Schwarzman - What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence Book: Leander Khaney - Tim Cook: The Genius Who Took Apple to the Next Level Book: David Goggins - Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds Book: Robert Iger - The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company Book: Adrian Robert Gostick - All In: How the Best managers Create a Culture of Belief and Drive Big Results Book: Phil Knight - Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike  

Joining me today John Hartofilis, CEO and Host of Gen Z Hoops podcast, founder of BSBC, basketball coach at Xavier HS, and part of the Pro Team Sales X2 Performance. We talked about the importance of networking and how he approaches it, his vision of standing out in such a competitive industry, and his transformation in his short and vertiginous career. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. Got a question? I'm here to help. Call me at 844-9INTERN. ********************************************************************* "Age is a weapon, your age is a weapon, you're never too old. I used to look at it as a disadvantage, not even close. It is the ultimate advantage. I'm only this young for not much longer; I need to use it." - John Hartofilis. John got his High School diploma in 2018 from Xavier High School, and in 2020 he already earned his BS in Business and Technology from Stevens Institute in Technology. It's one year away from getting his second Bachelor in Science in Business from Zicklin School of Business, and he is only 20 years old.  He started the Big Fellas Podcast in June 2020, a basketball-related show that transitioned into Gen Z Hoops Podcast in December 2020, an interview show where he speaks about basketball facts, news, business-related topics. He interviews coaches, journalists, players, and virtually any person relevant in the NBA sphere.   We had a great conversation about his journey and his approach to networking, getting interviews for his show, and the follow-up with his show's guests after the recording is over. We talked about his dreams and aspirations in the sports industry, specifically in the NBA, and how he's working to achieve them.  He shared his first experiences when he was 14 and was editing videos for fun, and how important it is the passion when it comes to putting the reps needed to succeed at something.  Tune in and listen to the fascinating story of this young yet experienced spirit full of dreams and the potential to achieve what he aims for and more.  Resources: Gen Z Hoops Podcast Connect with John: LinkedIn Instagram  

I've prepared a solo episode this week to talk about networking. The sports industry is small if compared with others, and that is one of the main reasons why networking is vital. I'll give you a few helpful tips that you can start implementing right away in your routine and get immediate benefits from a purposeful and mission guided network. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. Got a question? I'm here to help. Call me at 844-9INTERN. *********************************************************************Making the first contact with an exciting prospect in the industry is quite hard, but once we manage to get in touch with them, it is crucial to nurture that relationship. We must keep up, stay in touch and most importantly, find a way to add value.  We can do that by sending them information that they could find useful in their niche or even suggesting how to upgrade or make something better.  In this episode, I'll explain the importance of networking with a purpose, and I'll give away the technique I use to contact and network with people from the sports industry via LinkedIn. 

Joining me today is Nick DePaula, NBA feature writer at ESPN, co-host of the "Sneaker Center" on ESPN+, and host of "The Sneaker Game" coming soon on @Boardroom. We talked about how his curiosity for sneakers started and how he got into the sports industry. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. Got a question? I'm here to help. Call me at 844-9INTERN. ********************************************************************* "Don't put so much pressure on yourself for everything to happen right away (...) Enjoy being young and working towards your goal down the road" - Nick DePaula Nick covers everything related to the NBA's footwear industry; he reports shoe deals, interviews sneakers' designers and players.  He worked as Creative Director of Nice Kicks, where he reached over 3 million followers on Instagram, a million on Facebook, and over 800,000 followers on Twitter. Son of an English teacher, Nick always liked to write. He was in high school when Slam Magazine launched the first sneakers magazine called Kicks, and it was there when he realized that there was space for him to exploit his two passions, sneakers and writing. He also gave his thoughts on what it means to him working in the sports industry, which never stops, and how he deals with working with people on the other side of the world. Tune in and learn everything about this specific niche.  Resources: Book: Doug Stephens - Reeingeneering Retail: The Future of Selling In A Post Digital World The Undefeated - Snickers Connect with Nick: LinkedIn Instagram Twitter

In today's episode, I talk with Yahoo Sports' Vice President and GM, Geoff Reiss. We took a walk through his extensive career in the sports industry; we talked about his success and failures as a leader, paid vs. unpaid internships, and the best way to approach a job opportunity. We also talked about alternative ways of getting into the industry when internships are not an option. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. Got a question? I'm here to help. Call me at 844-9INTERN. *************************************************************************************** "You can just get smarter around the things that are changing in the sports industry. (...) In the MIT Sloan Conference, there's a phenomenal job of publishing every paper submitted for the conference every year. You don't have to read every damn paper, but you should at least be aware of what the topics being talked about are." - Geoff Reiss.    Geoff Reiss' first experience as GM was on SPY, where he started as office manager, and in three years, he got promoted to General Manager. The opportunity of knowing how every piece of the business ran gave him the perfect angle to develop a great job as GM.  After his successful job at SPY, Geoff went to SVP in 1993, where he managed ESPN.com's launch, and he was also involved in the operations of ESPN.com, ESPN Insider, ESPN Fantasy, NFL.com, NBA.com, and NASCAR.com. Almost 18 years after his first job at SVP, he led the creation of the PBA (Professional Bowlers Association) League, owned by Chris Paul, Kevin Hart, Chris Hardwick, and Billie Jean King.  He also worked as Head of Twitter Sports and assisted as an advisor and board member for many digital media start-ups.  We discussed the alternatives for those who want to get into the sports industry but can't afford to work for free in an unpaid internship, and Geoff tackled it from an interesting angle. He believes that other ways can lead a student right into the industry.  First, the student must identify its passion, what they are great at. Once they figured that out, they can get into the industry as great lawyers, marketers, writers, and so forth. He cashed his first check into the sports industry at the age of 33.  Geoff also shared three essential tips to a successful negotiation, based on what he had in mind when he negotiated TV contracts.  Tune in and learn the secrets of this veteran, who got into it after his 30s.  Connect with Geoff: LinkedIn Twitter

Joining me today is Kenisha Rhone, Director of Social Media and Social Strategy at the Belmont University, and Public Relations Solutionist. We had an inspiring conversation about volunteering, how it develops the professional and the human being, the possibility for younger generations to act as social media translators in the industry.  If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. Got a question? I'm here to help. Call me at 844-9INTERN. ********************************************************************************************************* " There is space for anyone who likes sports. The industry needs every bit of creativity you can bring." - Kenisha Rhone. Kenisha also oversees the athletic department's social media and digital efforts. She has over 16 years of experience working with media contacts and sports information for volleyball, softball, and track & field athletes. Member of the College Sports Information Directors of America, she has been a national programming committee member for seven years. She is the vice president of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).  She has been involved in community service forever; she is a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. member. She assists on the walk day committee for the Susan G. Komen Central Tennessee MORE THAN PINK Walk. Kenisha frequently volunteers to speak to youth groups in several high schools, and she mentors young students.  For Kenisha, volunteering is essential to help us grow as society members, and it also helps to unplug ourselves from our daily routines/worries. "Taking action in volunteering allows us to see people in their full humanity, even us.", she says. To disconnect from our world and have empathy and social consciousness about what is happening around us will let us grow and evolve.  I asked her what kind of people should avoid considering getting into the sports industry. As the sports industry doesn't stop, and it is almost impossible to establish a regular routine, she said, control freaks, people looking for a calm and well-planned workweek should avoid the industry. Virtually all the time, something is happening, and nowadays, in pandemic times, there is always someone watching sports somewhere. So the industry can't stop for a second; it must keep going.  Tune in and learn how to take the maximum out of every volunteering opportunity, how young people can add value using social media, and more.  Connect with Kenisha: LinkedIn  

In today's episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Portland Trailblazers' EVP and CCO, Dewayne Hankins. We talked about his first steps in the industry, what habits helped him be where he is today, and which ones he abandoned. He shared his thoughts about what attributes a good leader should have, his vision of the industry during 2021, and much more. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. Got a question? I'm here to help. Call me at 844-9INTERN. ********************************************************************* " Feedback is a great thing; it helps you learn and become better. And the higher you are in a company, you get it less, and you need it more." - Dewayne Hankins.  Dewayne has over 18 years of experience in the sports industry. He worked in the NBA, NHL, MLS, and MLB. Since a young age, he was a fan of baseball, and it wasn't until his senior year, when he needed to start thinking about getting a job, that he realized that you could work for a baseball team without being a player. He saw the broad spectrum of possibilities, from stats collection to media creation. Good fortune did the rest. As he needed an internship to get his degree, Dewayne took a role at the Kane County Cougars. He had long hours of work, but he enjoyed every minute of it, and that is how he got his first steps in the sports industry.  Regarding internships, Dewayne thinks that they are important because the sports industry demands a lot of time and effort. He believes that if someone went through the exhausting experience of working in sports and then applies for a position, that person is committed and loves sports. However, people without experience in sports, those without internships, can also join the industry later. People with a different set of skills are also welcome, he thinks.  Listen to the full episode, and know Dewayne's position about the role a leader should fulfill, the best way to approach people on Linkedin, and what he thinks is the best way to adapt quickly in an industry that changes regularly.  Connect with Dewayne Hankins at: Linkedin Twitter

This week, we chat with Darren O'Donnell, Vice President of the Business Development department at the Denver Broncos. He shared with us valuable insights into the sports industry from a business perspective. We talked about how he thinks the new normality will affect the industry, what opportunities he foresees popping out, and what it takes to be in sponsorship sales. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. Got a question? I'm here to help. Call me at 844-9INTERN. *************************************************************************************** "To get into the front door of any Fortune 500 company, you have to approach them with an idea. We are not selling sites; we are selling ideas." - Darren O'Donnell. Darren O'Donnell has an MBA in International Business from the Golden Gate University and a BS in General Business and Entrepreneurship from the Colorado State University. He has vast experience in producing revenue and creating business relationships in the sports industry.  His main focus in the Denver Broncos is to discover and generate new business opportunities. With over 18 years of experience in the industry, Darren worked with sponsorship and ticket sales, consulting, and agency representation.  Darren believes that perhaps the foundational attribute to get into the sports industry is persistence. As he said, the industry doesn't have unlimited opportunities, and applicants most certainly will face several negatives before getting a chance.  There is when a second attribute gets into the scene, flexibility. Rarely, the first step into the industry will be in our preferred position. Flexibility is key to adapt, evolve, and grow in the industry from inside of it.  Darren highlighted the importance of having new ideas when requesting a job opportunity. In the sponsorship sales world, it is vital to bring fresh perspectives and new ways to approach it.  Listen to the full episode, and learn about the importance of volunteering and what Darren means when he says that the ideal candidate for sponsorship sales should have figured out how to "smell the money." Also, he answers how a student can add value to sports professionals and how he thinks the industry will look like in the forthcoming years.  Connect with Darren O'Donnell at: Linkedin

In today's episode, we had an inspirational conversation with Roger Jones, Cleveland Browns Corporate Partnerships Director. We talked about how he decided to major in sports, the decisions that help him make his childhood dreams real, and what it takes to work in the sports industry. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. Got a question? I'm here to help. Call me at 844-9INTERN. ************************************************************* "You need to network with a purpose, (...) then, activate your network, and it'll work for you." - Roger Jones. Roger Jones has a Bachelor's Degree in Sports Management from Ohio University. His curiosity and willingness to learn led him to take courses on Business Law Sport, Operations Management, Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, and Governance of Sport.  He has had an extensive career in the sports industry; he was Director of Sales at Maryland Sports Properties and Director of Corporate Partnerships at Georgetown Sports Properties before getting his dream job at the Cleveland Browns.  Being a pre-med student, Roger took the Sports Management 101 class with the sole purpose of not leaving his best friend. They decided to change their majors after they discovered that a major in sports existed. That was the starting point of his thriving sports industry career.  Roger explained what it takes to work in the sports industry, the challenges we must face, and the best way to prepare for them. For him, an interview shouldn't be something to be nervous or anxious about; a job interview is for people working at the organization you are interested to know. Working in the sports industry equals long hours. Roger tells the students he mentors to understand the industry they're trying to get into. The sports industry is "around the clock information."  "The reason why ESPN is so successful is that they provide 24/7 up to date, information about sports." He offered three valuable tips for graduated students who can't get a job in the sports industry.Listen to the full episode and learn about networking with a purpose, putting your network to work for you, what it takes to get into the sports industry, the best ways of finding your niche, and much more.  Connect with Roger Jones at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-jones-81155427/

We've reached the last episode of 2020. It has been a great year; I hope you got as much value listening as I did by recording these episodes. We'll be back in 2021 with new interviews from NBA and NFL operations, marketing teams, and much more. We would like to wish you a happy new year; it will undoubtedly be better than this. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. Got a question? I'm here to help. Call me at 844-9INTERN. ********************************************************************************************************* "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." - Tim Notke. The Sports Intern Show wants to thank you for joining us and listening to our episodes every week. Next year, we will be back with more episodes, covering the sports industry's latest tendencies and, as usual, digging for the best advice and tips for the most reliable way to getting into the sports industry.  We'll keep the hard work, so your talent can have the tools to work hard.  See you guys soon. 

In today's episode, I had a fantastic conversation with Front Office Sports' founder and CEO, Adam White. We talked about his first steps in doing informational interviews and how he turned that into a successful company with 18 full-time employees. He shared his view of the best way to get into the sports industry and what he would teach a freshman college class. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. Got a question? I'm here to help. Call me at 844-9INTERN. ***************************************************************** " Don't ask for a job, tell me why you can make my job easier. Or tell me why I should hire you." - Adam White.  Adam White is the founder and CEO of Front Office Sports, an online media company that has grown consistently since 2014, and now is a trusted word in the Sports Business.  Front Office Sports has been recognized by Forbes as Top 50 Must-Follow Sports Business Twitter accounts from 2015 to 2017.  In 2014, as a freshman at the University of Miami, Adam started doing informational interviews because he knew that a solid portfolio and networking would eventually help him get a job in the sports industry. By the end of 2014, Adam had done 110 interviews.  Adam believes that just the right resume wouldn't get a job; the candidate has to offer a company solution. It is essential to be aware of other industries and taking their innovations into sports.  Connect with Adam White at:   Twitter LinkedIn Front Office Sports

This week, I've come across three fascinating articles, and I thought it would be a good idea to share what I've learned with you. If you give them a chance, I'm sure you'll find lots of useful tips and advice. These three articles offer simple yet straightforward ideas to make it into the sports industry. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. Got a question? I'm here to help. Call me at 844-9INTERN. *********************************************************************************************************   All three articles coincide in one thing, something that even every guest in the show said: networking is vital to get into the sports industry.    Every event, meeting, paid, or unpaid internship is an excellent place to increase the size of your network.    Every guest of the show also manifested that they're open to helping students in their way to the industry, mentoring them, and guiding them. So it's about getting in touch and make it happen.    I suggest that, and it is even what I do to get interviews for the show, is go to LinkedIn. Find the person you believe can help you and send them an email, a DM; get in touch somehow.    A portfolio is a must; a blog, a homemade radio broadcast, or even informational interviews are excellent places to start not only for the portfolio per se but for the reps. Writing, reading the teleprompter, doing research, commenting on a game, and almost everything in life is more about repetitions than natural talent or conditions.    Find the articles mentioned in this episode here:   The Best Ways For Young Entrepreneurs To Break Into The Sports Industry Four Ways To Make Breaking Into The Sports Industry Easier Top 9 Ways To Break Into Sports https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NViqHCrljf8&t=5s

I've decided to do something special this week. In today's episode, I do a recap of the things we've learned from the show's interviewees. I've made a brief list of highlights from what I've heard in the previous episodes and what I consider pivotal for getting a job in the industry. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. Got a question? I'm here to help. Call me at 844-9INTERN.   *****************************************************************   "Start working now on the skills for the position you want to get later."    This week's episode is about the most relevant advice the show's guests have given us so far. I do a recap of the most valuable lessons we've heard, like the importance of networking, of making connections, and how to be prepared today to work in the sports industry tomorrow.

  In this episode, I had an encouraging conversation with the USA Today reporter Mark Medina. We talked about how crucial it is to make the most of every internship, strategize our future in the sports industry, the pros and cons of paid and unpaid internships, and much more. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. Got a question? I'm here to help. Call me at 844-9INTERN.   *****************************************************************   "Always grab on to any opportunity you can get, big or small because that'll lead you to the next door." - Mark Medina.   Mark Medina started covering the NBA for USA Today in August 2019. He was also the Warriors beat writer for The Mercury News.  Mark has an extensive career in the sports industry; he worked as a Lakers blogger at the Los Angeles Times and as a Lakers beat writer for the Los Angeles Daily News. His internship trajectory is also vast. As an intern, he covered the MLS's D.C United and the WNBA Washington Mystics for The Washington Times, he wrote more than 200 prep sports stories for the York Daily Record, and the list goes on.    "I applied to every place under the sun," Mark remembers that he sent more than a hundred applications before he got an internship. He knew that his "shooting percentage" will be low, so he must keep shooting until one opportunity would fall in.    When asked about paid vs. unpaid internships, Mark said that even when a job's payment is low, or if it doesn't pay at all, the reps help you build your foundation. He said that "after all, it's about investing in yourself." He acknowledges his blessing of having a family supporting him financially; still, his goal was to pay his bills and make a living of it, which made him reach his current success and stability.  Connect with Mark Medina at:   Twitter  Facebook Linkedin  USA Today Sports 

Today I speak with the sports anchor and reporter at CNN, Andy Scholes. We had a great chat about what it takes to become a sports reporter, the importance of having a mentor, and why social media should be "a representation of who we are" when applying for a job. He also highlighted why it is crucial to take advantage of internships. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. Got a question? I'm here to help. Call me at 844-9INTERN.   *********************************************************************************************************   "You can use social media to network and make connections (...), but if there is an open opportunity, are they going to hire someone they have a connection in social media with, or someone they've met, and have a conversation? - Andy Scholes about social media and networking.   Andy Scholes is a Sports Anchor based out of Atlanta. He has an extensive career in covering several sports events like the World Series, the Super Bowl, and the NBA Finals. Scholes graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Houston in Broadcast Journalism. He is a huge Astros fan, and he was part of the Houston Rockets team working as a ball boy from 2001 to 2006.   "When News Directors are considering you for a position, they will go through your social media." Andy considers it vital to be aware of what we put on our social media all the time, especially if we are thinking about working in the sports industry as reporters, anchors, or any media or communication position.     Looking back into his career and asked about what he could have done differently, Andy admitted that he could've taken more advantage of his internships. Although he learned a lot and was incredibly helpful, he feels that sometimes he was there only to "do the hours" and that he could've got a lot more.    Connect with Andy Scholes at: Twitter: @AndyScholesCNN Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-scholes-93620655/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andyscholescnn/?hl=es-la

Today I speak with the LSU football beat reporter, Brooks Kubena. We talked about his first steps into the sports industry and how creativity played a significant role in his development as a broadcaster first and as a writer later. He highlighted the importance of ambition, patience, studying the great ones to succeed in the industry, and much more in an enriching conversation. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. Got a question? I'm here to help. Call me at 844-9INTERN.   *********************************************************************************************************   "The most important thing anybody can have as a journalist is the ability to find unique stories. You are your story ideas." - Brooks Kubena.   Brooks Kubena is an experienced Sports Reporter. He has a vast trajectory working in the newspaper industry. He is a strong media and communication professional who graduated from The University of Texas at Austin. Brooks covers LSU football for The Advocate and NOLA news.    Pursuing his vocation, Brooks sent an email to the Texas Sports Radio Network asking for the possibility of broadcasting Texas's high school football. A week later, he was in a booth, a press box so tall he had to climb a ladder to reach, and while he was there to watch and learn, someone handed him a headset and said, we go live in 10 minutes. And that was his first live broadcast ever.     Brooks let quite a lot of takeovers in today's conversation. From how he called coaches, asking for their permission to do a high school broadcast, to valuable advice to improve writing skills and content.  He stated that finding the right spot for each journalist is not an easy task. Since "this is an industry where you need a lot of support," it's imperative to remember and respect everyone that helps us at any point in the career.    Connect with Brooks Kubena at: Twitter: @BKubena Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooks-kubena-01324933/   Read Brooks' articles for The Advocate: https://www.theadvocate.com/users/profile/brooks%20kubena/   If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. Got a question? I'm here to help. Call me at 844-9INTERN.

In this episode, I interview the sports reporter and anchor at WBIR, David Schiele. We toured his entire career in an inspiring conversation. He told us about his first seconds of air on 106.7 WTLC-FM radio at age 14, his experience at Georgia State's Student Media and how that helped him develop his skills in front of cameras, book recommendations for Journalism students, and more.     *********************************************************************************************************   "If you want a job on T.V, these stations want to see you on camera. They won't hire just because you say you are a journalism major, and you've graduated with a 4.0." - David Schiele. David Schiele is an experienced sports multimedia journalist for WBIR in Knoxville, TN. He discovered his passion for the sports industry as a teenager. At the age of 14, David would read NFL scores live at a radio show his mother hosted on 106.7 WTLC-FM. He developed his writing skills very early, too, writing articles for Y-press (the youth section of the IndyStar newspaper). His first published article was about the danger of concussions in different sports, which he co-wrote with another student.    One of the many takeovers from this interview is about the importance of students getting involved in extracurricular activities. David believes that "only going to classes won't make you get a job on T.V news if that's what you want to do." He states that working on several projects outside school is vital to get the reps that'll make the difference in the long run.   Connect with David Schiele at: Twitter: @Deacon_Schiele Facebook: @DavidSchieleWBIR Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidschiele/   Subscribe to his YouTube Gaming Channel FiveWarsDeac: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCieEW3VGK8hcNUByPhOH5sw/featured   Take a look at David's book recommendation: Field Guide to Covering Sports by Joe Gisondi   https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Joe-Gisondi-dp-1506315682/dp/1506315682/ref=mt_other?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid= If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. Got a question? I'm here to help. Call me at 844-9INTERN.

Today, I talked with the Dow Jones reporter Weston Blasi. After reading an article written by Weston for MarketWatch about Lebron James, I've reached him, and we had a chat about that particular story and The King's business empire. I've decided to use this interview as an example of how to approach and interview someone you admire or find interesting and create your Sports Portfolio. If you enjoyed the show, please us a five- star iTunes review. Got a question? Im here to help. Call me at 844-9INTERN.

In today's episode, I chat with The Charlotte Observer's sports reporter Alex Andrejev. The Master of Science in Journalism and former Division I volleyball player at Columbia University talks about her first steps into writing about NASCAR. She shared what she thinks is necessary to cover the sport, and what happens when the fear of asking "silly questions" is lost. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. Got a question? I'm here to help. Call me at 844-9INTERN. "Michael Jordan getting on board brings a huge element of star power to the sport, it'll engage new fans, and push it forward to the next generation." - Alex Andrejev on MJ being a NASCAR team owner.   Alexandra Andrejev works at The Charlotte Observer, covering MLS's Charlotte FC and NASCAR. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Visual Arts & Business Management at Columbia University and a Master of Science in Journalism from the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.    Alex produced and co-hosted a podcast show called "Too many men on the field," an exciting show that looks into sports through a female lens.    When Alex started to cover NASCAR, a sport she wasn't very familiar with, she first learned the sport's technicalities. Then she focused on introducing the drivers to the audience, writing profile stories about people, and find out the language spoken in the NASCAR universe.    The Coronavirus pandemic affected not only the sport of NASCAR but also the way it is covered. Now, the stories are more about how teams perform on each race with little to no practice. Before the pandemic, when there were no practice restrictions nor limitations, stories were more about comparisons on how teams performed on each track in the past. That is why Alex considers that at the moment, one of the biggest stories would be about how the racing industry will bring fans back. 

"The best part of getting a new job is as you're doing it every day, you're going to get better, no matter what, because you're getting more reps" - Caly Mascitti.   Carly Mascitti (@WHEC_CMascitti) is the Sports Anchor/Reporter at WEHC-TV, an NBC affiliate at Rochester, NY.  She describes herself as one of the "few lucky ones" that know what career they'll pursue after graduation; she always knew she wanted to be a TV reporter. Carly worked in the local TV station WMBB-TV in the Florida Panhandle, where she covered the devastating category 5 storm Hurricane Michael in 2018.    The experienced anchor and reporter also worked behind the scenes, traveling with the casting department, and later with the contestant department at the NBC's show The Voice, in 2015. Carly believes that behind the scenes experience makes the work in front of the cameras easier. In her own words: "It helps you understand better everyone else's job around you."    She was born in Philadelphia and graduated from Temple University in 2016. Carly covered sports in Europe and across the United States; her sports coverage includes NHL, NFL, MLB, NCAA, NLL, and more.    If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. Got a question? I'm here to help. Call me at 844-9INTERN.

In this episode, I talk with Laine Higgins, a sports reporter at The Wall Street Journal. She described the intimidating experience of getting into a locker room for the first time at the age of 18; what are, according to her, the two ways of watching sports; the importance of having a strong portfolio, and much more, in a fascinating conversation. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a five-star iTunes review. Got a question? I'm here to help. Call me at 844-9INTERN.