The best part about teaching, I’ve come to find out, is learning new things myself…And I have my students to thank for that…I never knew what a “digital native” was until last week…Don’t get me started on “foodporn!”…Who coined that one?…My computer doesn’t even recognize it as a word!…But luckily I can still teach a few things every now and then that these very same students will be able to use as they enter the workforce as first time sports journalists…. (When that’s not the case, you’ll find me elsewhere)…
It’s spring and another class is getting ready to graduate…And they’re scared…Four years has gone by way too quickly and the reality is here…I need a job…Well, you’re in luck…Because sports jobs are there for the taking and anyone who tells you otherwise simply doesn’t understand the landscape…Maybe not in Boston and New York and Los Angeles but as we’ve hammered away, Jackson, MS and Tyler, TX are the price you have to be willing to pay…
News Director Mike Redding of WCSH TV in Portland, Maine put it this way, “Sports will always have a rabid fan base, always. The sports industry will always exist so there will be jobs for you. You’re in a really good field that will always exist.”… What more do you want to hear?…ESPN isn’t coming to Elkhart, Indiana to cover sports…But WSVJ TV is and that won’t ever change…You might be a “one man/woman band” but those jobs will always exist…
And if that doesn’t convince you, listen to Boston Herald Editor Sean Leahy wax poetic about your readiness…”Most editors will glance at it (video) and not really absorb it but they’ll say he/she does video. So yeah, I want to see that. I want to see multimedia skills. I want to see(hear) you’re good on the radio, good on TV. We need people who can do more things and do them well.” Talented people will always find a place…
Which bring us to the issue of appearance…Television is notorious for hiring only good looking, spray tanned, coiffed, constantly smiling Barbies and Kens…Maybe, not so much anymore however, says Redding. “I want people to be critical thinkers. I don’t need beauty queens or movie stars. You don’t want people to get lost in what you look like because they’re not listening to what you are telling them. We’re supposed to look like regular humans and comb our hair and know how to put on TV makeup sure. Sports is the the place that best accomplishes that. Sports reporters in every television station are the best (on) camera people we have. News people are boring and stale and formulaic. And you just want to stab them in the eyeball!”
Reading that ought to get you “pumped and jacked“… Bit do yourselves a favor, don’t go calling a pass play on second and goal from the one!,,,You can do this, you’re ready!
13 Comments
Josh Schrock posted on April 14, 2015 at 6:02 pm
The most encouraging thing that I took out of the first jobs seminar was the overall level of optimism that both guests had about the current job market. Most of us were met with some level of skepticism upon deciding to venture into what a lot of people consider to be a dying field, but the thing that I got out of this seminar is that sports is in a way, recession-proof. There will always be those fan bases that crave information, so therefore there will always be a job for those who can supply and analyze that information. The most important message of the seminar, aside from the positivity surrounding our job prospects, was the idea of choosing where you want to live and then searching for jobs in those areas as opposed to just applying to anywhere and everywhere. It’s obvious that for most if not all of us, our careers aren’t going to start in a major market like the one that we currently reside in and will most likely begin in one of the aforementioned towns professor Shorr is so fond of throwing out there. I’ve been looking at the job postings on journalismjobs.com for a few months just to get an idea of where the jobs are mostly located and I wasn’t overly upbeat about Pocatello, Idaho or Minot, North Dakota. I thought the message of choosing areas where you want to live was a refreshing piece of advice that kind of put my mind at ease as someone who had been more worried about living in Montana than the inability to find a job. I also thought that the notion of spending at least a year applying for jobs before you think about considering a different path was an important take away. It’s only natural to think about a plan post graduation if the job offers just don’t come but I appreciated and took to heart the “don’t throw in the towel” to quickly attitude that was conveyed by both of the guests. Overall this seminar put me in a better place mentally about the job market come December.
Sara Varela posted on April 14, 2015 at 8:54 pm
It seems timing is everything when it comes to getting a job after graduation these days. Positions have to be open, you have to be ready to move if needed, and you have to wait, which right now is the hardest part. The good news is sports jobs are available. You simply have put yourself out there and take a chance. I was recently reminded that it’s never too late to start networking. Every person you meet can be beneficial to the job search, and as mentioned by our guests, networking with the leaders and active players in a company can be a way of getting noticed.
I really liked the advice to be strategic when looking for jobs because often people tell recent grads to just apply to anything they can, but that might not be what they want to do or even need to do. It’s best to look at your strengths and weakness and apply for jobs that fit your skills. Maybe one or two jobs will be out of your comfort zone, but that gives you the opportunity to learn and develop in an area that can help you in the future. I agree with our speakers about finding your talent and taking advantage of it, but I think a lot of grads enter the market unsure of their talents. I know I’m not sure what my stand out skill is or how to go about showing it on my resume, but the nice thing about entry-level positions is that they are great for learning and figuring out who and where you want to be.
Christina Patracuolla posted on April 15, 2015 at 3:40 pm
A huge internal debate I’ve been having with myself is whether or not I should continue to try and dive into the gargantuan market that is New York City or if I should take every speaker’s advice in aiming for the smaller ones. As much as it pains me, in the back of my head I realize I’m being stubborn and at some point I may hit a wall by not sacrificing by first few years to a smaller market.
Mike Redding and Sean Leahy went into the technicalities and delved into the real issues every senior in the past and present have been experiencing in this day and age and it was interesting to find out what the people looking at the endless emails and resumes we send out are actually thinking. I’m still trying to figure out if it was comforting or not about what kind of people they are choosing to hire out of college if they even decide to hire someone out of college at all. Do I fit into any of the descriptions of potential employees? After the seminar I even made a checklist.
Either way, every single speaker has pushed to meet as many people as we possibly can. Leahy added to this forceful, yet vital suggestion by telling us how to do that. I found his expansion on the subject extremely useful and better than just the hammering in of “Meet people!” After I always think but how? Where is the person I need to be meeting? He answered everywhere and anywhere and while you’re anywhere, raise your hand and volunteer and put yourself out there. Make them remember you and it is up to you to figure out how you’re going to do that depending on each situation.
I was a bit shocked when Redding talked about how the business we are currently in lacks smart people. I feel like the smartest people are out there getting all of these jobs, but now remembering back to other seminars and thinking about all of the broadcasters and writers that receive criticism, maybe some of the suggestions are right and certain reporters really should be doing their jobs better, regardless of how hott or sexy they are.
In the end, people are watching ESPN (for example) for the sports and the information, not to stare at some hott girl. That makes sense since there are plenty of other shows and places to go do that. It is critical thinking and having the mind to advance a story that will get any of us to where we need to be. The next article I began to write for my beat reporting class was based around that idea and that thought will stick with me. It makes too much sense not to!
Dylan Haines posted on April 15, 2015 at 5:34 pm
The two men in this seminar made the topic of finding a job fun, if that is conceivable. Seniors in college are weeks away from stepping into the real world, a scary thought for them. The optimism from the seminar hopefully changed the minds of the graduating classmates who are fearful.
Being the youngest (I think) in the class, I do not have the pressure of finding a job soon hovering over my shoulders. With two more years of BU left, I can apply what this seminar taught me to my final semesters in hopes of finding that first job.
Being multidimensional is a key skill that employers look for according to Leahy and Redding. As of right now, I am interested in print but it makes sense to learn how to operate a camera and edit film. It will only help me in the job search. As a journalist, it would be great to shoot my own video and set up my own podcasts or whatever I decide to do.
This seminar, along with the other seminars throughout the semester, added water to my sponge of a brain. All the advice I have received from the men and women that have talked to us in class has helped me get a better sense of what I need to do to land a job. With jobs being the topic of the past seminar, everything “clicked.” Treating Tyler, TX as Boston, MA will help jumpstart my career. We all start from somewhere, and there is no need to be pessimistic.
Keiko Talley posted on April 15, 2015 at 6:13 pm
I guess being a “digital native” I didn’t realize that “food porn” was a new digital term that people wouldn’t get (sorry Professor). As a younger generation I think we take for granted just how tech savvy we are, which will benefit us all in the work field. It seems as if everyone’s advice for people first applying for jobs is “know how to do everything” or “twitter is a big thing”. The things that we normally do for social reasons will in fact help us in the field.
After being told so many times that journalism is a dying field it was refreshing to hear our speakers tell us that SPORTS journalism will never die. I don’t think a lot of people think about that when they think about journalism. Sure the newspapers could eventually all go digital. And maybe, in the far future, well replace reporters with robots (although I really hope not). But people will always need to know the Red Sox score if they aren’t at the game, and that’s when we come in.
Recently I have been told that I wont be able to stay near Jersey (where I’m from) and that I’ll end up being in nowheresville USA, which if I had to guess would be somewhere in North Dakota or something. It was nice to hear the speakers talk about how they set out a map and labeled all the markets in that area and decided where they wanted to go based off where they were willing to live. Personally this winter made me realize I couldn’t work anywhere that snows majority of the year, id much rather be somewhere warm in the south.
Of course there will always be some type of sacrifice to be made when choosing a job, but its comforting to know that when it comes to sports journalism I have some what of a choice as to where I want to end up being,, and even more comforting knowing that hiring people want us to know things like social media and behind the camera work…two things I feel are my specialties.
Katie Peverada posted on April 15, 2015 at 9:02 pm
(I was only able to stay for the first portion of class – the 30 minutes before the guests spoke – but I was able to hear Professor Shorr speak and, in another class a few days later, HBO Real Sports producer Jordan Kronick and NFL Network Producer and COM alum Hilary Guy).
Professor Shorr’s straightforward presentation of the materials and resources we have at our disposal to use when finding that first job did what, I think, both Mike Redding and Sean Leahy spoke about. The resources – the listing of all the jobs waiting to be filled – showed that they are out there (and “there for the taking”).
As Josh and a few others pointed out in their posts, one reason for this is because the sports world will never go away. It’s like becoming a doctor in that the need for doctors will seemingly never dissipate. That is to say, covering local sports will never die nor will covering professional or collegiate sports, for that matter. Jordan Kronick said the same thing in my other class too. Sports just won’t go away – it’s the right industry to get in to. And both Kronick and Guy talked about always being the one to raise your hand and volunteer. Find that thing that is needed and do it. In her post, Christina wrote that she was shocked when Redding talked about how there is a lack of smart people. Again, Kronick spoke about something similar. He said that even now, with the young guns like us in the business, he’s still shocked to find them not volunteering to do something or to help out a producer or to just take that extra step. It’s taking those extra steps, both Guy and Kronick said, that really help you in not only that first job but also the jobs after that.
Luckily, I’m someone that really doesn’t care where I am as long as I am doing what I want or like, so taking that small school job at first isn’t discouraging at all. I recognize that everything is part of a process. However, earlier this semester Professor Shorr also spoke about not settling. We have to make sure that in applying to all these jobs and in moving up the career ladder, we aren’t just “doing everything” because we want to be in a certain market or industry. Take the job that makes sense, that will make you work and that will allow you to show that you have the ability to do the extra things. I think what Sara wrote about (not sure which of the gentlemen said it) speaks to this as well in that you should be strategic when looking for a job.
We need to find a job that works for us and will make us work. We also need to find the job where we can show we can do all the extra things that we know how to do and want to do. It might sound daunting or, according to some people in society, like a dead end. However, they’re out there.
Pat O'Rourke posted on April 15, 2015 at 9:25 pm
There were two elements I took from this lecture. The first was that there’s plenty of jobs out there, contrary to popular belief. You just have to be willing to do things most wouldn’t be willing to do. The second was that the industry isn’t out searching for beauty queens or movie stars. Which is good, because I’m not very good looking.
But in all seriousness, I took the latter element to heart. The fact that job-seekers aren’t looking for nines and tens, but people who can think critically (for the most part, at least). I feel my ability to critically think, and look at things in a way that isn’t black-and-white, cut-and-dried, in a way that others might not think of it though not contrarian, is a strength of mine. I think it’s important take an angle that’s not being written about or talked about, as opposed to echoing the sentiment of the masses.
I was fortunate enough — or unfortunate enough, depending on how you look at it — to cover last weekend’s Frozen Four. In case you haven’t heard, BU lost the national championship game to Providence, 4-3, with the game-tying goal coming on a mishandled puck by Terriers goalie Matt O’Connor, who bobbled the puck out of his glove after catching a Tom Parisi dump-in. The puck fluttered into the back of the net. Two minutes later, PC scored the game-winner. Six minutes after that, the Friars won the title, Parisi officially becoming to BU hockey what Mookie Wilson is to the Red Sox.
After the game, O’Connor was obviously the story. I could’ve just done what the cool kids were doing on Twitter and put a crown of thorns on the head of O’Connor. A strong case could’ve been made for that, and plenty of people were making it. But I knew I couldn’t just say what everyone else was saying, or my voice would blend in with the crowd.
So instead, I took the angle that Providence had been carrying the play in the third period to that point. I cited that PC had outshot BU 13-4 between a Jack Eichel penalty taken about 4 1/2 minutes into the period and when the goal was scored, with 8:36 to go in the game. The game was beginning to look like a veteran team (PC) playing against a team of underclassmen (BU), and college hockey is no young man’s game. We learned that in 2009, when BU faced Miami in the title game. The Terriers were on the opposite side that year, a veteran team who made a big comeback against a young team. Not that the mistake wasn’t pivotal, it was. But I implied that the goal didn’t swing the momentum, it opened the floodgates.
That’s how you have to think in this industry. You have to look for things that other people don’t look for, take angles that other people don’t take. I feel that takes precedent over your ability to write, shoot, or edit. Though it helps to know how to do those things too.
Conor Ryan posted on April 15, 2015 at 10:18 pm
From the moment that we first entered college as journalism majors, it seems as if it’s been drilled into us that entering this field of work would be a huge gamble.
For years, we’ve been hit with the reality that newspapers were on death’s door, a lively job market was quickly shriveling up and that shelling out six figures to grab a degree in journalism might be the most literal interpretation of fool’s gold when regarding the current climate of the industry.
When the time comes for all of us to finally make that jump into the real world, I feel like — at least for me — that I have been instructed to apply anywhere and everywhere, desperately trying to latch onto any opportunity that can make me money.
However, as both Redding and Leahy acknowledged last Thursday, it’s ok to go against the grain in some regards, especially when it comes to the hunt for jobs.
While it can be tempting to fire out apps to pretty much any outlet offering some semblance of compensation in return for clean copy, both Leahy and Redding harped on the idea that individuals just entering the market should wait it out, plan ahead and evaluate what your biggest strengths are when looking at new jobs.
When it comes down to it, the fact of the matter is that the job market for sports journalism is still churning out opportunities left and right.
Newspapers might not be viable option anymore, but there are plenty of outlets available for new writers, especially with countless number of blog networks like SB Nation quickly spreading across the web.
It can be easy to get caught up in the rigmarole regarding a future working in journalism, but there’s no sense in fretting about it. If your resume can stand out, opportunities will come. Better yet, the ball is in court when it comes to charting your path.
Lee Altman posted on April 15, 2015 at 10:31 pm
Some of the biggest sports journalism stars come from the humblest of beginnings. Not every sports journalist can be Joe Buck, who was seemingly born with a mic in his hand and a full head of perfectly combed hair. For those aspiring sports journalist who don’t have a Jack Buck-like father figure, the best way to advance in a fulfilling yet convoluted field is to keep your head up and your legs churning. Beat the pavement and pay your dues. Make the most of every opportunity that you are presented with.
For instance, I saw a posting on the Red Sox website advertising a sports career expo at Fenway Park. I knew that the fair would most likely not produce jobs or internships for its attendees. Personally, I was interested in attending for the educational value and for the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals pursuing a career in sports. I expected the event to be pandemonium and my hunch was confirmed when I took a left on Lansdowne Street and was greeted by a never-ending line of hopeful faces, standing shoulder-to-shoulder along the Green Monster’s outer wall, waiting to enter the event. The attendees ranged in age from baby-faced high schoolers to men and women with peppered grey hair. Most were dressed in suits and held plastic folders or leather portfolios full of resumes. Even with their differences, all of these people have one thing in common; they are interested in pursuing a career in sports. Although the expo turned out just as I had expected, I couldn’t help feeling a sense of awe while I stood in line with fifty others to speak with a representative of the Red Sox.
Standing there, in the underbelly of Fenway, I had an epiphany; sports journalism is like professional baseball. We, as aspiring journalists, are like undrafted players looking to prove ourselves and earn our future. Editors and news directors like Leahy and Redding are like big league GM’s. They want aspiring journalists to succeed so that we can one day contribute to their organizations. “Work up the chain,” Leahy said. “You can break in, but first you have to work up the ranks.” Redding echoed the same sentiment. As a news director of the Bangor and Portland Maine news stations, Redding also acts somewhat like a Major League scout. He attempts to evaluate prospective employees and gauge their potential. News stations like Bangor and Portland are the Farm System of the WBZ’s and WHDH’s of the world. The smaller markets are an opportunity for young journalists to cut their teeth. Redding looks for 5-tool prospects, who can produce, “shoot, write, edit and perform.”
You can’t control when the breaks will come so the best thing to do is to do your best. Focus on the aspects that you can control such as your knowledge, skills and effort. As Leahy said, “good things come to those who work hard and wait.” Just like the Red Sox’s newest star Mookie Betts, we too can make it to the big leagues one day. We need to bide our time, learn and develop. Whether it’s the Lowell Spinners or Bangor’s WLBZ, humble beginnings do lead to golden futures.
Nick Garrido posted on April 15, 2015 at 11:02 pm
I was never one to believe anyone that said, sports journalism is a dying field. Sure, newspaper jobs may not be as popular as they once were but bottom line, as both speakers reiterated to us, there will always be jobs in sports journalism because sports will never go away.
I’ve looked around several job posting websites to see what jobs I want to apply for. The market has impressed me so far. There are so many job postings. I obviously am aware that some jobs aren’t realistic but there are plenty of entry level positions available in a lot of fields that I am interested in. It was great to see both speakers be so positive about the job market and they reiterated the strong feelings I already have about landing a job by the time I graduate.
I’m not sure I learned anything new from this seminar honestly, but it was still important to me because every college senior who doesn’t have a job at this point are starting to feel the pressure about where and what is the best position for them. It was encouraging to hear them say that we should give it some time.
In my one-on-one with Sean Leahy after the seminar, he told me to read him what is on my resume and he mentioned to me that my resume has so much variety on it and that he thinks i should be successful in breaking in somewhere. I’ve talked to a good amount of people so now its all about hoping to hear back from someone and get that job interview.
There are ways of improving your chances at getting your first job, such as applying to smaller markets, networking, and being polite to anyone you meet. Those are things I am sure most of us had heard before, but as we get closer to graduation, it was nice hearing it again from two successful people in the journalism business.
Alex Hirsch posted on April 15, 2015 at 11:14 pm
This is the lecture that every student wants to hear. Who doesn’t want know that there are jobs everywhere? I mean, that’s the hope. We go to school in order to get a job, and here we go! There is hope in this world for us at last.
The catch is that we got to be well rounded and pay our dues. It is funny, because how is that a catch? That is just normal. Every employer wants people that can do multiple things. It makes others expendable and saves the company money. And as for paying our dues, if you think you are starting as an anchor for ESPN, the lawyer for Aaron Hernandez, or the CEO for a fortune 500 company, than your delusional. Almost all companies make you work your way up. So, we have to start in Jackson, Mississippi. I would rather start there than not have a job, and I know that with everything I have learned and the hard work that I will put in, I will be able to move up through the ranks fast. So what if I start out making 25 thousand dollars a year? I do not have anyone to feed but myself, and I will not be making that forever. We are in school to help us get these jobs, but our studies and programs have made us more marketable than lots of the people that are already out there. We are not just being prepared for our first job, but for our second and third and fourth. We are the lucky few.
I have enjoyed learning journalism so much. None of this feels like work to me. It is all so enjoyable, and what is even more awesome is that one thing that employers want me to learn is Twitter. Twitter! They are not asking me to learn how to code, or put together a floor model for a new skyscraper. They want me to learn how to use Twitter. That may be one of the most enjoyable tasks I may ever get to do.
What I am essentially saying is that, Mike and Sean did not tell us anything that Professor Shorr has not been telling us. He knows that. They were here to reaffirm what he has told us, because sometimes students need more than one person to drive a point home. There is hope. And paying your dues…it really is just another way of saying work hard.
Joe Weil posted on April 16, 2015 at 2:05 am
Mike Redding said something that really resonated with me. “There will always be jobs in sports journalism.” It’s a concept that we hope to think, but to hear an actual employer say is extremely refreshing. As Nick pointed out earlier we are told by so many people that journalism is dying, newspapers are on their way out, yadiyadiya. But it’s not. Jobs exist, and it’s all about plugging way.
I think It’s easy to forget that we go to a great journalism school. For the most part, we are taught the skills needed to succeed in the field. I liked that Mike said that not everyone they hire is amazing at everything. A five out of five is how he put it. But that’s ok. I found that assuring. I’ve been trying to perfect my reels and make sure that I have everything on website. I’m aiming for that 5 out of 5 but if I’m a four out of five,that could be enough.
We’ve sort of beaten this theme to a pulp, but the whole concept of not worrying too much about getting a job right away is important. Before I took the class (and honestly before this year), I was extremely worried about the ability to find a job. I looked at people who’ve graduated and found jobs and wondered if I too would be able to get one. But now, my mind is more at ease. That doesn’t mean my drive will change. I’m still hungry as ever to find an on-air gig.
As I continue to put together my reels I want to make sure I use clips that make me look relatable. As Mike said, employers are looking for someone that will make them say, “I want a beer with that dude.” With that advice, I’m starting to add more clips that showcase my sense of humor and broadcasting style.
As we continue to move forward in the sports seminar series, I’m feeling a lot more confident about finding a job post-graduation.
Nicholas Picht posted on April 16, 2015 at 8:03 am
So…it turns out there are jobs for college graduates after all.
I think this seminar was incredibly well timed, not to mention necessary, to sort of pull us all back away from the edge of the cliff. Mike and Sean’s words were very reassuring and made me feel like they completely understood and empathized with our current situation.
The quote that resonated most with me was from Mike. He said, “In sports, you want to make the people watching say ‘I just want to have a beer with that guy!’” When I heard that, I thought about all the sports reporters/personalities that I admire – Frank Isola, Mike Breen, Scott Van Pelt, and many others. Mike’s words perfectly encapsulate the way I feel when I watch/listen to/read these people. Despite their differences (Isola a writer, Breen a play-by-play guy, and SVP a Sportscenter host), each and every one of them makes me want to go and have a beer with them. They are so natural and conversational in their work, while also providing crucial information and intelligent sports takes. They are able to simplify things so that people do not have to be sports geeks (like me) to understand what they’re saying. And in sports, I think that’s a crucial skill to have. If you’re relatable and give those watching the sense that they are watching a regular guy, you’ve done your job.
I’ve never really given much thought to Mike’s other quote, the one about entering a field that will always exist. But I’m glad he said it, for more than one reason. It obviously serves as an eye-opener and a personal reassurance to know there will always be a job, even if it is in Elkhart, Indiana. But, it’s also a great rebuttal for the countless aunts, uncles, and other family members who lecture me about journalism being a dead profession.
Speaking of dead professions, we know journalism has changed drastically over the years. The Internet threw a wrench in almost every news director’s or newspaper editor’s plans. That being said, we’ve heard all semester, and last week was no different, that writing remains pertinent in today’s journalism, just as it did years ago. Both Mike and Sean stressed how essential strong writing skills are in their reporters, and I’m sure that goes for every news director in the country. I think that’s a testament to the profession, and to those doing the job as well, that what journalism was founded on is still crucial to its survival in the Internet-driven world. Great stories are still out there, and I’m glad BU is still teaching us the fundamentals to tell them.