The Work in Sports Podcast - Insider Advice for Sports Careers

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Is Networking Dead? May 24, 2021

Show notes

Last week I had a friend reach out who was applying for a cool job with a professional sports team. Since I really like and respect this person, and I know people at the professional sports team, I volunteered to reach out on their behalf to my friends at the team and put in a good word.

Now, I didn’t bring this up to show off my altruistic nature and overall good dudedness. I bring this up because something very interesting happened, something I haven’t been able to stop thinking about ever since.

My conversation with my friend in pro sports, led me to wonder… Is Networking Dead?

Here is the scene.

I reach out to my friend, a former guest on the show by the way, and I tell them the details – got a friend in the final round, they’re great, wonderful addition to your team, hard-worker, experienced, can you put in a good word with the hiring manager?

Their response:

“Hey Brian, normally I would do this for you in a heartbeat, your friend seems like a wonderful candidate. But just two weeks ago there was a new company policy instituted whereby no employee can discuss or advocate for candidates to a hiring manager. The goal is to remove bias, and create a truly inclusive staff without favoritism, nepotism or cronyism. By keeping the process devoid of influence, we believe we will be stronger throughout our organization.”

Ok, process that for a second.

My initial thought was…good for you and your organization.

I’ve long been an advocate of D, E & I – but have always wondered how it will happen, how do we do it?

I talked with Vincent Pierson who at the time was the Director of D, E, I at MiLB, and asked, this is all wonderful in theory but what do we do? Like, how does this become a reality?

I’ve asked Kali Franklin, John Ferguson, Philicia Douglas, Dr. Bill Sutton and many others – what do we do?

This initiative right here, expressed by a professional sports team is the most concrete example I’ve heard to date of process change to adapt to a more inclusive workplace.

I’m here for it. But it begs the question – is Networking Dead?

One more thing before we get into what this means. I have always hated the “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” concept. It drives me insane and is such 1990’s era thinking.

Bear with me as I repat a story some of you have heard. I started at CNN/Sports Illustrated in 1996. There were probably about 30 of us entry level production assistant and associate producers hired at the same time. 4-5 of them, were there because they knew people. One had a dad who was a famous sports media columnist, other had influential parents or uncles.

They were hired because of who they knew.

Guess what, they all bombed out in under a year. They didn’t have the skills or the aptitude to do the job.

Organizations got smarter and realized – hiring unqualified people really hurts us more than some intangible idea of playing favorites to some influencer.

You can’t just know people and get by. You don’t get hired as a favor to your influential Mom or Dad.

Skills matter. Just listen to last week’s guest, Michelle Andres SVP of the Baltimore Ravens, she said “I need to see your skill set on your cover letter, not just that you are a fan.”

Now, let’s get back to the big topic – Is Networking Dead?

Sports Content Creation Takes Flight With Michelle Andres, SVP, Baltimore Ravens May 19, 2021

Show notes

Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, VP of Content and Engaged Learning at WorkInSports.com and this is the Work In Sports podcast...

As I talk to young people across the country, there is an undercurrent of panic in their collective voices. It sounds a lot like pressure and fear.

I’m no neuroscientist, but anecdotally is sure seems negative news accumulates in our brains much faster than positive. Using myself as an example, I’ll remember the one review giving one star and commenting that the “host has a weird voice and delivery. His questions meander and lack any interesting quality.”

That will stick in my brain FOREVER. It comes up in my subconscious as I write questions, it comes up live during interviews, it comes up during the editing process where I wonder if this person isn’t right.

The hundreds of positive reviews lack the power to cut through this dissenting voice.

Now let’s spin this to your existence.

Dot com Headline: Unemployment is High!
Sports Hiring Manager: We get 400 applicants for each job!
Podcast host: If you don’t get the right experience, you won’t get noticed!

The data you have coming at you is discouraging, panic inducing and amounts to pressure. I can hear the message you are giving yourself, “if I don’t choose everything perfect, from internships to majors to skill development to networking to interviewing technique...I’ll be lost and I will fail.”

Wow. That’s heavy. But again, that’s the voice I hear coming from the young people I speak with today.

I did a little analysis with this thought in mind. I went through our podcast guests, who as you know are amazing people in the sports industry...and around 37% of them started their careers elsewhere other than sports. Even more than that, around 47% majored in something completely unrelated to their current career.

All of this is to say, take it easy on yourself. Your career is not a straight line, it is not something you can plan out perfectly, it is organic and takes shape as you live through it.

Have a plan, have goals, have accomplishments in mind like building your network and gaining the experience that matches industry demand...but don’t be rigid.

Today’s guest is a shining example of this pattern. Michelle Andres was a political science major. In fact, she so loved politics she received her Master’s in Political Science – Campaign Management.

But then, she didn’t love the work itself. I’ll let her give you the details...but think about that a second. She didn’t do 7 sports internships. She didn’t have a vast network of sports connections. But she landed a job with the Orlando Magic as the Assistant Director of Interactive Marketing, and her career has grown rapidly ever since, where she is now the SVP f Ravens Media with the Baltimore Ravens.

Why?

She will explain that, and a whole lot more... here’s Michelle Andres.

Answering Tough Job Interview Questions: "Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?" May 17, 2021

Show notes

Question incoming from Brandon in Bellevue, Washington. Brandon, I lived in Bellevue for 10 years, we’re practically neighbors despite the fact I now live 2,882 miles away. Yes, I googled it.

“Hey Brian, I’ve been doing a bunch of mock interviews to prepare and there is a pattern that keep emerging. I’ve had two of my professors and three different family members conduct mock interviews, and they all asked me the same question “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

Is this a very common question, and if so how would you answer it because my first instinct is, “I have no idea.”

Help?!”

Let's dig into this!

How the Sports Industry Must Adapt for the Future with Josh Walker, President, Sports Innovation Lab May 12, 2021

Show notes

Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, VP of Content and Engaged Learning for WorkInSports.com and this is the Work In Sports podcast.

Recovery starts with innovation.

I read this the other day and thought, this sounds a lot like what my grandmother used to tell me when she’d cobble some new fandangled way of plowing her garden fields with a series of hoes tied on to the back of her 1940’s era tractor.

Never short for an analogy or cliché she’d look at me and repeat, “Necessity is the mother of all invention.”

That saying has always stuck in my mind, when there is need there are creative solutions.

Never before have we faced more need, and never before have innovative minds been more in demand.

As teams and leagues and organizations look to pivot and change their revenue models and adapt to our new world — the innovative people in every organization are the ones leading the way to the future.

That is not hyperbolic or overly dramatic. We need innovation. We need a new way to look at our games, our stadiums, our fans, our revenue streams, our products our marketing — everything needs a fresh set of eyes.

I booked today’s guest, Josh Walker, President of Sports Innovation Lab because multiple people in my sphere of influence pinged me in April and said “did you read this article on how the sports industry will recover, it’s fascinating”

The article was pushed at me from multiple angles from people I respect with excitement and fervor I couldn’t deny, so I read it and immediately thought — who wrote this! I need them for this show!

The crazy thing is… Josh, the scribe responsible for the forward-thinking piece, developed the concept of recovery before there was a need for recovery. See Josh is the kind of futurist we need more of in sports, the ones who can utilize data and research and intuition to see what the industry needs to be, rather than what it is.

Josh is the President of Sports innovation Lab who, along with his co-founders, former NFL linebacker Isaiah Kacyvenski and former Olympian and 4-time gold medal winner Angela Ruggiero developed a fluid fan concept that sees sports in a way that earns the fans loyalty rather than expects it.

You’ll see what I mean.. Here’s Josh — get ready for some incredible, in your face, honest…and some exciting ideas on how to mold our future of sports.

Here’s Josh…

Follow Up Questions for an Internship Interview May 10, 2021

Show notes

Today’s question, and it’s a good one, from Janell in Missouri.

“Hi Brian, thank you so much for your show and the effort you put into its creation, it’s clear how much you care and want to help others. I have a question for you about interviewing for internships. I’ve heard you talk about asking follow up questions at the end of a job interview, and I wonder, do you ask different questions when it is for an internship versus a full-time job?”

I love this question, now, I know I say that a lot, but I really love this one.

Why?

Because Janell brings up a very valuable distinction between what you want to know when you are in the internship process vs. full-time job process. It is different and we need to discuss it!

Top Level Discussion: Motivation

When you are applying for a full-time job and in the interview cycle, you are trying to discover long-term fit. Will this culture support your growth? Are there career growth opportunities? Does their business have a long-term revenue plan so they will exist in the coming years?

You want to know these things before you commit!

For an internship, your motivation is different, your timeline is different. You need to make sure that your questions revolve back to the theme of, is this the right opportunity for me, right now.

As a college student you may only have the opportunity for 2-3 internships, you can’t waste that time stuffing envelopes for a nothing company. You need to maximize your opportunities, and the best way to know for sure, is to ask questions.

Quick tip:

Sticky notes! Most job and internship interviews right now are utilizing video interviews, for obvious reasons. Here's a low tech strategy to keep yourself on track! Put sticky notes all around you computer screen with prompts for follow up questions, topics you want to bring up, experiences, anything to trigger your memory just enough to push you further in the interview.
Have more questions ready than you think you need. If you only prepare for 2-3 follow up questions, and the interviewer handles them during the interview, what are you going to do, other than sweat profusely? Prepare around 8 follow up questions and you'll always have something to ask at the end, and sweating becomes optional.

Follow up Questions to Ask After an Internship Interview

1: What type of responsibilities and expectations do you have for interns at your organization?

2: Are there cross-training opportunities in multiple departments or are we isolated to a particular group?

3: What does the training and professional development look like for interns?

4: Is there a history of past interns becoming full-time employees?

5: If yes, are there certain traits or qualities that made them stand out?

6: What does a typical week look like for an intern on this team?

Listen in to the Work In Sports podcast episode 368 for more information and details on all of these talking points!

Going Global in the Sports Industry, Alicia Marinelli, President, Living Sport May 05, 2021

Show notes

Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp VP of Content and Engaged Learning at WorkInSports.com and this is the WorkInSports podcast.

There are two major assumptions that Americans tend to make about sports.

1: The big four – baseball, football, basketball and hockey - are the only sports that matter.

2: Sports happen within our borders, except the rare occasion of the Summer and Winter Olympics.

I get it, American exceptionalism and all, but can we all, at least on this show, agree these are falsehoods?

I love and appreciate the big four sports as much as anyone, but I refuse to submit to the premise that they ARE the sports industry. That’s it, just those four.

If sports represent activities involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment, and the industry comprises any one of thousands of roles surrounding these activities – our industry is much larger than say U.S. based basketball coach.

In sports, there are no boundaries. It’s a meritocracy. Whoever performs the best, while executing within the established rules – plays. Same in the vein of work, whoever performs the best, executes plans, supports initiatives – thrives.

You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again today, working is sports is a competitive choice. As a sports job candidate, you must actively think to yourself, “How can I make myself the best of the competition? What else can I do?”

One suggestion – go global.

Imagine for a second you have relevant international experience. Put yourself in the shoes of an employer, trying to hire the best, most talented, staff. Would someone who worked in Barcelona for a bike race, or Milan for a marathon stand out to you?

It’s not the big four sports, and it’s not within the US border – so does it matter? Of course it does, in fact it’s impressive.

But how? How would you achieve this kind of game changing experience?

LivingSport.

7-10 international study abroad trips where it isn’t all just tours and sightseeing, it’s work. The kind of work that will find its way onto your resume, broaden your horizons and alter your perspective for life.

Who better to explain this amazing program that CEO and Founder Alicia Marinelli, this week's high energy, let’s get after it, guest.

Partnership Activation Challenges in the NBA with Melissa Silberman Apr 28, 2021

Show notes

Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, VP of Content and Engaged Learning for WorkInSports.com and this is the Work In Sports podcast. There are so many interesting conversations to have right now surrounding the abnormal sports world we are currently immersed in. The other day I was asked during a panel discussion what I thought were the most important skills someone in the industry should be utlilizing right now. Now, in normal conditions I say coachability, competitiveness and curiosity. Those are literally my three favorite terms when it comes to employment in any industry. But right now I’ve had to adjust my thinking some — those three terms are still incredibly viable – but I’m going to throw three more at you. Flexibility, improvisation and innovation. Let’s break these down a bit because they are all aligned, but subtly different. We’ll start with Flexibility – there is a narrative in every industry that we continue doing things because that’s the way we’ve always done things. Routine. History. Legacy decisions. This is not acceptable now. The assumption that we just keep plugging along without change is flawed. We need to entertain ideas and we need to be flexible in their deployment. We need to be flexible in the ways we generate revenue, allocate resources and more. Processes and objectives need to change. Improvisation — this is the act of coming up with ideas on the spot. We all need to open up and engage the parts of our brain that spark creativity and different thinking. We’ve been so long following patterns, that we need to spark the fire of improvisation. We all need to consider the unconventional. Look at high school sports — the NBA can have a bubble, the NFL can test daily, high school athletes are at higher risk of contracting and spreading. This is beyond doubt. That is not a political statement, it is fact. So when people say “have you considered playing in spring, have you considered a condensed schedule…have you considered …have you considered…” We have to turn on the thought provoking sides of our brain and say “we should consider everything” Innovation — chaos breeds opportunity — Where is it? This needs to be the mantra of all businesses and employees — where is the opportunity, how can we shift, re-align, change products, change approaches, INNOVATE. Companies that changed their clothing textiles to mask development, innovated. Sports business that created digital platforms and webinars and podcasts and virtual internships… they innovated! We need that spirit back. Innovate. Improvise. Be flexible. No one embodies that more than today’s guest. Melissa Silberman is the Director of Partnership Activation for the Atlanta Hawks — simply put, she works to make sure team sponsors have impactful campaigns that reach their audience with powerful messaging. Well, a big percentage of that is through in-arena activations — the 21,000 crazy fans coming to State Farm Arena on game night ar seeing and engaging with sponsor activities. So how does Melissa and her team show their sponsor there is great value in associating with the Hawks, with only 3,000 crazy fans coming to game night. Flexibility. Innovation. Improvisation. Here she is, Melissa Silberman! Questions for Melissa Silberman, Atlanta Hawks Director of Partnership Activation 1: There are so many topics I want to get into today about your career and journey to the Atlanta Hawks – but let’s start with this, you got your Bachelors and Masters in Sports Management at the University of Florida and for the last 7 years have been working in Partnership Activation. You clearly had a vision to work in sports – but did you choose Partnership Activation as your path, or did it choose you? 2: I’ll admit, I’ve been in the sports industry for 20 years but I don’t know much about Partnership Activation – so explain it to us all,

How to Handle Taking an “Off-Track” Job Apr 26, 2021

Show notes

Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp VP of Content and Engaged Learning at WorkInSports.com and this is the Work In Sports podcast... Question today comes from a regular of the show, someone I am personally very fond of, but who will remain anonymous for this conversation. Their question came directly via LinkedIn, which is a great way for any of you listening to get your questions answered on an upcoming show, connect with me and then message your question right on the platform! Alright here’s the question...and I know many of you will relate to it. This is from a recent college graduate: “I recently started in a shipping/inventory role at a local bike and ski shop. It’s not exactly the trajectory I thought I’d be in, but life throws you curveballs sometimes (like pandemics) and you have to work with the batting count you got. Anyways, I started in March and have taken on new responsibilities since then. It’s a small place but I think my movement shows my upward mobility and willingness to work hard. I haven’t updated my resume or LinkedIn yet, partially because I don’t know how long I will be here, partially because it’s such a small org, and partially (and I know this is silly and selfish) because I didn’t think I’d be in this position. Would really appreciate any legendary Brian advice on this situation. You’ve given me so much insight and knowledge over the years, I know you’ll have a great perspective on this." A little bit of background – this is a recent college graduate, who in my estimation has done everything right. They connect and build relationships, they’ve done really incredible internships, they’ve studied the market and know what is in demand, their resume and cover letter look awesome. I commend them, and I am enormously confident something more permanent and career-focused will come through soon. But it does go to show you, we are not in normal times. All this is to say, you sometimes have to throw out normal advice and adjust. Let’s start with this – in everyone I’ve talked to in hiring, they are more understanding than ever about the situations entry level job seekers are in. You all have been thrown into an untenable situation, something none of us could have imagined or prepared for. Now, that is not a "get out of pandemic free card" allowing you to take a year off still get a great job. Employers are willing to adapt and look at potential hires more open-mindedly, but you still have to show accomplishments over the last year. That is the number one question on interviews now, so what did you do during the pandemic? You have to have a story for that other than, I put on 15 pounds. To this specific question – I think you own this with pride. Put it on LinkedIn, show the upward mobility and turn this into a cover letter story. Let’s unpack this a bit. In the past I never would have suggested that you put temporary, non-transferrable jobs on your LinkedIn profile. Sharing that you worked part-time at Taco Bell or the Gap doesn’t really help tell your professional story. But these are different times. I would include that you are working at the local bike and ski shop (with a caveat – which I’ll explain shortly). And in so doing, I would try very hard to identify skills and opportunities you are exploring there that could be transferrable. For example, if you want to get into marketing for your career is there any chance to help with their google PPC campaigns in addition to your other work? Create some of their brochures or flyers? Any excel work you can do for them? Keep pushing yourself toward new skills you can highlight. I also believe this is your new cover letter. I can see it a little in my head – Something like, Two months ago, I accepted a position at a local bike and ski shop, and while it is not quite the career plan, I had for myself, I only know one way to work – fully committed.

The Sports Business Beat with Emily Caron, Sportico Reporter Apr 21, 2021

Show notes

Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp VP of Content and Engaged Learning for WorkInSports.com and this is the Work In Sports podcast. No surprise to say I grew up a fanatical sports fan. I have always loved game action. I remember vividly sneaking out of bed to watch Boston Celtics games when they were on the road, hoping my mother wouldn’t catch me. Homme games were on cable TV and we didn’t have it, only the road games. Sundays were jammed with NFL football, if my parents scheduled something that conflicted with games I wanted to watch, I was a pain in the ass. I vividly remember my mom getting us tickets to the ice capades, but in conflicted with a Cowboys – Redskins game, I was a pain the entire time, and got a massive lecture for being unappreciative of all she does for my brother and I. I deserved it, but I was, and still am addicted. I remember in high school watching late night west coast college basketball games, hoping to uncover some unknown but talented player that I could brag about knowing. Cedric Caballos is a perfect example, I saw him play a game for Cal State Fullerton, and then definitely name dropped him in conversations with fellow high schoolers to act as if I was some amateur scout, with more knowledge then they had. What a dork. My grandmother every year got me a subscription to Sports Illustrated and I read it cover to cover. Then I ripped off the cover and put it on my bedroom wall. All the iconic covers of the 80s and 90s were unceremoniously stapled to my walls, reminding me of those moments spent rifling through their pages. But... I could never get into the business side of sports. I tried. My mom would try to push me toward sports business shows or to read sports business content. Sadly, I admit, it bored me. Deals and TV revenue and sponsorships and marketing campaigns – not as exciting as Michael Jordan, John Elway, Wayne Gretzky, and Barry Bonds. Alas, as I have aged, rapidly some would say, my focus has shifted and now those same deals and decisions that bored me, represent the game happening for all of us. Sports business is the game we can all play, a language we can all speak, and forms the decisions that make everything possible. In June 2020, Sportico was formed with the mission of empowering readers with the context and insights needed to understand an evolving sports ecosystem – where teams are incubators and innovation labs, franchise values are soaring, players’ unions are accelerators and athletes will not stick to sports. Good write up there - - they did it, not me. Today's guest Emily Caron is one of the highly accomplished sports business reporters on the team at Sportico – Emily joined the sportico team at their launch after working for such high-profile brands as espnW and Sports Illustrated and she’s here today to share her journey AND insights into some of the biggest sports business focused stories in 2021! Questions for Emily Caron, Sports Business Reporter for Sportico 1: There are many important sports business topics to cover and I’m excited to jump into them with you, but let’s dig into your sports career journey first. From digging into your background and career, it seems clear you had a vision for your future self as a sports reporter from early on...why? What led you down this path? 2: While at University of Virginia, you completed an internship with espnW – that’s a coveted opportunity, how did you get the chance to intern for the worldwide leader and what was this experience like? 3: Most interns don’t write feature stories or find their way on to the set of Outside the Lines - you did both. I just went back and read your story on Penn State kicker Joey Juluis who struggled with binge eating and depression, and it’s wonderful. I was hooked at once. What drew you to the story and how did you pitch it and make it your own? I’ve been in hundreds of creative meetings and youn...

LinkedIn Profile Best Practices for 2021 Apr 19, 2021

Show notes

Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, VP of Content and Engaged Learning for WorkInSports.com and this is the WorkInSports podcast... Super pumped for this week's expert interview with Emily Caron, a sports business reporter from Sportico.com. Emily has worked at espnW and Sports Illustrated before joining Sportico and she is awesome. What is fun about this conversation is that most of the time reporters are reporting on other people's opinions or the facts they can discover. But, in this episode, I probe Emily for so many of her opinions on what some of the big #sportsbiz topics mean for the future of our industry. Extremely exciting. Tune in for that episode on Wednesday April 21st. #Sportsbiz Stat Line for April 19th Three quick stats that give you an update on the health of the sports industry from a hiring perspective, and then three cool sports jobs posted in the last week on WorkInSports.com the leading job board for the sports industry and a proud member of the iHire talent community. Stat #1: 23, 581 jobs – increase of 2.3% and our highest total in over a year. Sportsbiz is back. Stat #2: 3,201 jobs added this past week an increase of 7.5% from the previous week Stat #3: which means there were 457 fresh sports jobs posted every day last week on average. Great reason to keep coming back every day to see what’s new. Three sports jobs that are incredibly interesting from the past week: Manager of Influencer Marketing for Brooks Running https://www.workinsports.com/search-jobs/view/brooks-running?id=548538 The Manager, Influencer Marketing is responsible for driving strategy and executing on influencer programming for the brand. You are responsible for creating and driving measurable strategies with clear KPIs to meet defined objectives, inclusive of building brand awareness and product discovery. All programming will be built in partnership with a cross-functional group of peers across marketing, including your colleagues in retail marketing, PR, sports marketing, social, sales and more. The ideal candidate will have proven experience identifying and engaging influencers, managing influencer outreach programs, and creating engaging, brand worthy content. Delaware State is hiring an Athletic Director https://www.workinsports.com/search-jobs/view/delaware-state-university?id=548442 General Description of the Position Under the Chief Operating Officer's supervision with oversight from the President, the Athletic Director (AD) is responsible for planning, developing, managing, coordinating, and supervising a competitive intercollegiate athletics program with 18 programs, 14 head coaches, and more than 400 student-athletes. The Athletic Director (1) provides visionary leadership, strategic planning, and policy development for the athletics program; (2) maintains an athletics program that is committed to the University's mission and strategic priorities; (3) works with the University's development office to raise funds for the Department of Athletics; (4) administers the overall athletic budget; (5) recruits and manages the coaching staff; and (5) ensures compliance with all University, national association and conference policies, rules, and regulations. This position also serves as a member of the President's Administrative Cabinet. Pittsburgh Knights Social Media Coordinator - LATAM https://www.workinsports.com/search-jobs/view/pittsburgh-knights?id=546819 Under the direction of the Social Media Manager, this position is responsible for the overall experience and value of the Knights' LATAM Social platforms. The Social media coordinator will focus on the daily maintenance, management, operation, and optimization of the Knights' LATAM socials and will play a crucial role in content creation. Assist in the creation of original, compelling content - such as static and motion graphics, as well as video - for the Knights' LATAM digital and social pla...

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The Work in Sports Podcast – Insider Advice for Sports Careers

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