2 answers
Liam
Student
Webster, New York
1
Question
Updated
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What is the best way for me to utilize my time in college to best set myself up for a good job in the sports broadcasting/analyst field?#Spring26
I am a senior right now and I am committed to Syracuse University for sports journalism on the sports media track. I have always been interested in sports but not nearly good enough to play professionally, so I wanted to find a way to stay involved with sports. I want to be a sports broadcaster/ analyst who also writes some articles, but I have little to know experience. I was wondering what are the best ways to maximize my time in college to set me up for the best career opportunities post college.
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2 answers
Amanda Gifford Lockwood
Sr. Coordinating Producer/VP at ESPN
12
Answers
Bristol, Connecticut
Updated
Amanda’s Answer
You're asking the right question - smart to think about this going in to college rather than when you're a junior or senior in college. Two pieces of advice: get as much experience on campus as you can...radio, TV, digital, social, writing, etc. - all different mediums to explore and all different jobs within those mediums both in front of and behind the camera. The more experience you have the more versatile you will be as someone entering the workforce.
Making connections with professors, fellow students and alumni is also very important. Syracuse is a great school and has a lot of accomplished alumni in the field. Learning from them is important, and it's also helpful when you're entering the workforce to be able to use those Syracuse connections to get your foot in the door or talk to a hiring manager directly.
Have fun in college - make the most of your time there, especially at a great school like Syracuse University.
Making connections with professors, fellow students and alumni is also very important. Syracuse is a great school and has a lot of accomplished alumni in the field. Learning from them is important, and it's also helpful when you're entering the workforce to be able to use those Syracuse connections to get your foot in the door or talk to a hiring manager directly.
Have fun in college - make the most of your time there, especially at a great school like Syracuse University.
Barry Abrams
Host/producer - "In The Gate" thoroughbred podcast at ESPN
38
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Barry’s Answer
Hi, Liam!
Thanks for reaching out. First of all, you are going to the right place (we Newhouse people rule the world. Everyone else will eventually figure that out). There is absolutely no question about that.
What you *do* there is up to you. Getting internships is obvious. What is not nearly as obvious, apparently, is cultivating relationships NOW with people in the field (like me). I have seen way too many people START making those calls just before they graduate college. You start doing that NOW, so that when the time comes, people like me have seen (presumably) all the hard work and dedication and are happy to help open a door or two for you.
What young people do not understand (apparently) is that no one wants to be "used" - simply contacted for the sole purpose of a reference. Established people like me are happy to mentor, but we do not just want to be "used."
A lot of what I did at SU was what is now called CitrusTV - the campus TV workshop located in Watson Hall. Three years ago, I made a rare trip to the 'Cuse to attend the end-of-year banquet. There was a whole table of alumni, but not one of the kids came up to talk with us. I get it - it was a celebration of all the work they had done together, and they were into...celebrating, shall we say. However, I found it a bit sad that they lost an opportunity to get face time with the people doing the types of jobs - in the types of places - where they want to end up.
So don't force the issue, but pay attention to cultivating relationships NOW. It will pay off personally...and professionally.
Thanks,
Barry Abrams
Thanks for reaching out. First of all, you are going to the right place (we Newhouse people rule the world. Everyone else will eventually figure that out). There is absolutely no question about that.
What you *do* there is up to you. Getting internships is obvious. What is not nearly as obvious, apparently, is cultivating relationships NOW with people in the field (like me). I have seen way too many people START making those calls just before they graduate college. You start doing that NOW, so that when the time comes, people like me have seen (presumably) all the hard work and dedication and are happy to help open a door or two for you.
What young people do not understand (apparently) is that no one wants to be "used" - simply contacted for the sole purpose of a reference. Established people like me are happy to mentor, but we do not just want to be "used."
A lot of what I did at SU was what is now called CitrusTV - the campus TV workshop located in Watson Hall. Three years ago, I made a rare trip to the 'Cuse to attend the end-of-year banquet. There was a whole table of alumni, but not one of the kids came up to talk with us. I get it - it was a celebration of all the work they had done together, and they were into...celebrating, shall we say. However, I found it a bit sad that they lost an opportunity to get face time with the people doing the types of jobs - in the types of places - where they want to end up.
So don't force the issue, but pay attention to cultivating relationships NOW. It will pay off personally...and professionally.
Thanks,
Barry Abrams