In my time doing research over the field of sports broadcasting I have learned a lot about what is necessary to be successful in my pursuance of this career. I have questioned myself on if I really wanted to pursue this career as well as fallen in love more with the field. If you are interested in sports broadcasting I hope this blog has been helpful in retrieving information so you can make your own judgment about the career. The field of sports broadcasting is a fairly large field to enter, however, for those who want to make it to the pinnacle of the field, you must begin early to develop connections, be enthusiastic about sports and be able to stand out among the numerous other people that are trying to take your job.
The most important thing to remember is that the people you meet along the way and the connections you make are key to becoming successful in this field. I believe it is the ultimate thing you have to do. It is a large field, stretching from high school broadcasters and news reporters that air only locally to Sports Center anchors on ESPN that is aired worldwide. Almost all of these people would like to move up, and with an uncountable amount of people trying to get a few open spots, knowing people is critical. You develop these relationships while you are in college. "Many travel the college road into sports broadcasting, but according to government statistics, only 12% reach their destination" (Madden para. 47). College provides you the opportunity to access interviews and internships which can establish connections which will help you reach your destination. This was very helpful for me because I now know that it is not just about getting a college degree and moving on to the next step. At my time at Michigan State I hope to develop these personal connections and capitalize on them.
Once you are able to meet these potential employers and people who could help you down the road, you must absolutely make sure they remember you. Most all professional and college employers in the field meet new people every day and have different interns every year so it is very easy for you to be just another blip on their radar. "It's not as much what you know, but who you know - and who knows you" (Madden para. 14). Standing out and being someone they remember will guarantee you more priority over someone they do not remember. With my personality and my love for sports I believe that I will be able to make a lasting impression on these potential employers.
With the establishing of connections and standing out once you do establish the connections you must also remember your job will be to talk about sports. Not many people can say they get paid to talk about and discuss something they love, so be enthusiastic about your field. I found it reassuring in my research to find that they still stick to their sports first mentality. "They want people who love sports first and foremost...The main concerns ESPN have are whether or not you are a sports junkie" (Smith xxii, xxiii). Once you do reach the top tier of your field you will be reporting to people who are fanatics of their team and they want to hear it in your voice as well.
In pursuing your passion of being a sports broadcaster you will run into hardships along the way and may even lose faith in realizing your dream. For myself, in doing this research for this blog, I have a better understanding of what to expect and what to do to get to where I want to be. I must stand out as much I as I possibly can when connecting with people who can help me get to where I want to go and never lose my passion and love for sports. I believe that I, as well as anyone else if they stick to these main points, will be successful and have a long and rewarding career as a sports broadcaster.
The most important thing to remember is that the people you meet along the way and the connections you make are key to becoming successful in this field. I believe it is the ultimate thing you have to do. It is a large field, stretching from high school broadcasters and news reporters that air only locally to Sports Center anchors on ESPN that is aired worldwide. Almost all of these people would like to move up, and with an uncountable amount of people trying to get a few open spots, knowing people is critical. You develop these relationships while you are in college. "Many travel the college road into sports broadcasting, but according to government statistics, only 12% reach their destination" (Madden para. 47). College provides you the opportunity to access interviews and internships which can establish connections which will help you reach your destination. This was very helpful for me because I now know that it is not just about getting a college degree and moving on to the next step. At my time at Michigan State I hope to develop these personal connections and capitalize on them.
Once you are able to meet these potential employers and people who could help you down the road, you must absolutely make sure they remember you. Most all professional and college employers in the field meet new people every day and have different interns every year so it is very easy for you to be just another blip on their radar. "It's not as much what you know, but who you know - and who knows you" (Madden para. 14). Standing out and being someone they remember will guarantee you more priority over someone they do not remember. With my personality and my love for sports I believe that I will be able to make a lasting impression on these potential employers.
With the establishing of connections and standing out once you do establish the connections you must also remember your job will be to talk about sports. Not many people can say they get paid to talk about and discuss something they love, so be enthusiastic about your field. I found it reassuring in my research to find that they still stick to their sports first mentality. "They want people who love sports first and foremost...The main concerns ESPN have are whether or not you are a sports junkie" (Smith xxii, xxiii). Once you do reach the top tier of your field you will be reporting to people who are fanatics of their team and they want to hear it in your voice as well.
In pursuing your passion of being a sports broadcaster you will run into hardships along the way and may even lose faith in realizing your dream. For myself, in doing this research for this blog, I have a better understanding of what to expect and what to do to get to where I want to be. I must stand out as much I as I possibly can when connecting with people who can help me get to where I want to go and never lose my passion and love for sports. I believe that I, as well as anyone else if they stick to these main points, will be successful and have a long and rewarding career as a sports broadcaster.
Madden, Michael. "How to Become a Sports
Broadcaster." HubPages. HubPages Inc., n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2014.
Smith, Anthony F., and Keith Hollihan. ESPN The Company: The Story and Lessons Behind the Most Fanatical
Brand In Sports. Hoboken, New Jersey: John
Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2009. N. pag. Print.
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