The “One Minute Drill” is a weekly video series full of tips and tricks for getting ahead in the sports broadcasting industry. In this edition, SportsTVJobs.com founder Brian Clapp explains how to stand out when you are first getting started in sports television. If you are preparing for a sports internship or getting ready to start your broadcasting career this is vital advice.
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Standing Out as an Entry Level Sports Broadcasting Employee or Intern Video Transcript
Welcome to the One Minute Drill – today we’re going to talk about something very important for people just getting started in the sports industry either in entry level positions, or preparing to do sports internships while in college.
Here goes: You can’t be afraid to ask questions.
I know it sounds like a simple concept but most new employees or interns tend to self-censor and are afraid to admit that they don’t know something. I see it all the time, especially in sports, because everyone in sports likes to think they know everything. When you work in sports it tends to be a very debate riddled competitive world, where people argue over this little statistic and that little moment in sports history.
Because of this many people become a shrinking violet, afraid to stick their neck out there and admit they may not know how to do something. Entry level employees in sports broadcasting are often fearful of asking questions like “can somebody show me how to do this?” or “is this the best way to do this?”
Trust me, once I became management I looked back on my early career and thought “I wish I wasn’t so stubborn and had just asked people more questions early on!” It would have made my career progression much smoother and I wouldn’t have had to fake knowing how to do something (which I did on more than a few occasions).
You can’t be afraid to ask questions – it is not a sign of weakness, it does not mean that you don’t have the background or the knowledge that you should. It just means you have a thirst for knowledge and as management, you begin to appreciate those people that ask intelligent questions and then listen to the answer. That’s the other key – you can’t be thinking about what you next question is going to be, you have to ask a good questions and then listen to the response. It’s that simple.
Relevant Links for this Discussion
Become a Sports Video Editor (My First Job in Sports Television and still one of my favorites)
Lessons Learned on the Job, NOT in the Classroom
Become a Control Room Operator - Entry Level Position
Authors bio is coming up shortly.
