The Work in Sports Podcast - Insider Advice for Sports Careers

Most people who think they are leaders in the workplace are doing it all wrong. In today's podcast, we're going to break down four important traits of real leaders! (Psst, anyone can be a leader, not just senior executives)Hey, it’s Brian before we get into today’s QA session on leadership - a topic I am very excited about, we want to welcome NYU to the Work in Sports family! The NYU School of Professional Studies Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport announces the NEW MS in Global Sport, a 36-credit, 16-month master’s degree. The increase in global events and sports development in countries like China, Brazil, and India, the growth of soccer and rugby in the US,  the expansion of US sports globally like basketball and baseball -- these are the events changing the landscape of sports. The sports industry is more global than ever, and NYU recognizes that fact with their new Masters in Global Sport.I’ll be honest - looking back I really wish I had done some international study - I’m fascinated by different approaches and techniques in accomplishing goals, and this program will introduce you to so much of that. Designed for busy professionals from around the world, the program is predominantly online and includes four one-week residencies—two in New York City and one each in Tokyo and Madrid. Ooh, Madrid is on my short list of places I really want to go -  wonder if they are hiring any adjunct professors. I should probably wonder that in my head rather than on the ad. Gain a comprehensive knowledge of sports business on a global scale.Learn more and Apply TODAY at S-P-S dot N-Y-U dot E-D-U slash Global Sport 1Thanks, NYU -- Now, let’s start the countdownHi, everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, Director of Content for WorkinSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast…I spent the last few days in New Orleans, Louisiana at the NASSM conference - that’s the North American Society for Sports Management conference, lots of sports management professors from around the globe sharing their research and having little breakout sessions to discuss their findings and open themselves up to questions from their peers. Some really cool stuff - and it was great meeting Kevin Cattani from the University of Dubuque, Karen Boleska from Husson, Sam Todd from the University of South Carolina, who we partnered with on some research into sports job seeker mentality,  and a bunch of other professors I had the pleasure of meeting.I was there in part to pitch our new online course focusing on the strategies and tactics of getting hired in the sports industry. And I have to say I’m pretty proud, all of the professors pretty much said ‘this is exactly what we need’You see professors and deans recognize that they are experts in their specific section of the sports industry -- maybe it’s finance, HR, public relations, event management - but they don’t really spend enough time talking about how to get a job once you graduate, and the strategies you need to employ to get hired.That’s what our course teaches. In fact, many colleges are going to start using our course as part of their curriculum moving forward - because we focus on actionable advice in the four pillars of getting hired:* Gaining the right experience* Building and maintaining your network* Mastering your resume cover letter and personal brand* And Interviewing for jobs and internshipsThis is the stuff no one teaches you-- but is so important!Now, if your school is going to use our course - awesome you are in luck! If not, you individual person dedicated to your craft of working in the sports industry - can buy it direct on our site starting soon. Or -- tell your professors to contact me bclapp@workinsports.com - and I can do a demo with them. If the school signs up you get a highly discounted group rate!

Kenneth Shropshire, CEO of the Global Sports Institute at Arizona State University joins the Work in Sports podcast to discuss the future of our industryHey it’s Brian before we start today's podcast episode with Kenneth Shropshire CEO of the Global Sport Institute … let’s talk about, the master's program at the University of Dubuque!If you’ve been considering getting a masters with a foundation in business, but an emphasis in sports, the Masters in Management - Sports Management at the University of Dubuque could be your perfect mix.I’ve long state my personal preference is for Masters in Sports Management to be rooted in business, since that is the language of our world. Sports is just another big business, but in a much cooler package if you ask me. The University of Dubuque program offers face-to-face or online options and is just a 30-credit hour program, so it can be completed in 1 year! The curriculum is focused on building leaders in the sports world and includes integrated field experience and professional development opportunities. Check out the University of Dubuque's program - visit dbq.edu/mmsm Now let’s start the countdown…Hi everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, Director of Content for WorkInSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcastSometimes we act like sports is settled science. Athletes play games, fans buy tickets and t-shirts, coaches coach, trainers nurture, businesses buy suites and entertain clients -- it’s the circle of sports.But in reality, there is much more than that going on in the business of sports. Sure we all still care about the box score of last nights game, we want to know why Kawhi Leonard is able to do what he does, how Tom Brady seems to defy the laws of aging and understand the rise of the Minnesota Twins… but in all honesty, sometimes that’s the superficial part of the industry. Yes, it’s the most important, without games and achievements and stars there wouldn’t be anything else. But, we should be proud that there is much more to contemplate. The sports product is more than beefcakes running fast and jumping high, there are intricacies and impacts that need to be studied and better understood.But sports is much more than the elite, it’s also the everyday. The athletes that aren’t on TV, still have questions that need answering - like should your child play football with a concussion? What are the chances your child can become a pro athlete? Should you drink Gatorade instead of water?The communities who support teams have questions - like should the public fund a new stadium in their city? And why aren’t more Latina girls participating in sports?These are the types of questions the Global Sport Institute at Arizona State University sets out to solve through research. But this isn’t the type of research that gets passed around from scholar to scholar never making a real impact, it’s the type that is filtered down into the communities and to the people that need them most. One of the massive advantages of the Global Sports Institue is that it works cross-functionally with other departments within Arizona State, from engineering to sociology, to the athletic department and beyond. That’s how they achieve the real depth of knowledge and game-changing research abilities.At the head of this program is Global Sport Institute CEO and this week's guest, Kenneth Shropshire. It’s funny, I’m 44 years old, so I don’t generally refer to people as Mr. or Mrs. that often -- I usually go first name and am comfortable with that. But Kenneth Shropshire is a Mr. Shropshire… he is a commanding presence with a global impact over his 40 years in the sports industry. We’ll get into his impressive background during the interview, but know this… if you hear me call him Kenneth,

Listen in as Andrew Howard, NFL Communication Manager, joins host Brian Clapp on the Work in Sports podcast to discuss his career and role with the NFL!Hey it’s Brian, today’s Work in Sports podcast episode with Andrew Howard NFL Communication Manager is brought to you by the online master’s degree in sport management at the University of FloridaThe University of Florida program has three in-demand specializations - I love this because you can choose a program that fits you and you know what you are going to get, no surprises, no generic education - at University of Florida you’re going to specialize in Athlete Development, High-Performance Coaching, or Sport Law An optional Graduate Certificate in Sport Event Management focusing on the challenges and opportunities involved in organizing Olympic-level competitions as well as regional events.Also, don’t go thinking that an online program lacks the personal touch, the UF program, GO Gators, offers personalized one on one career coaching services - so you get the benefits of an online coursework and the personal touch of a career coach. For more info on this awesome program and to download a free brochure visit ufsport.orgNow let’s start the countdown...Tune in for Brian's interview with Andrew Howard, NFL Communication Manager! 

Is a company first approach to your job search a better strategy for you? We investigate!Hey it’s Brian, welcome to a Monday edition of the Work in Sports podcast, brought to you this week by the online master’s degree in sport management at the University of FloridaThe University of Florida program has three in-demand specializations - I love this because you can choose a program that fits you and you know what you are going to get, no surprises, no generic education - at University of Florida you’re going to specialize in Athlete Development, High-Performance Coaching, or Sport Law An optional Graduate Certificate in Sport Event Management focusing on the challenges and opportunities involved in organizing Olympic-level competitions as well as regional events.That sounds cool I would definitely get the graduate certificate. See that’s how I approach these programs if you read what they offer and find yourself thinking “that sounds cool” you are on the right track.Also, don't go thinking that an online program lacks the personal touch, the UF program, GO Gators, offers personalized one on one career coaching services - so you get the benefits of online coursework and the personal touch of a career coach. For more info on this awesome program and to download a free brochure visit ufsport.orgNow let’s start the countdown... Hi, everybody, I’m Brian Clapp Director of Content for WorkinSports.com and this is the WorkinSports Podcast…Before we get into this week’s question, a quick update on a few things. I am getting very very close to offering up our online course directed to all of you aspiring sports people. I’ve shared a ton of career-focused advice in this podcast platform and our blog, our private Facebook page, and more over the years, but this is incredibly unique.I’ve put all my best stuff together in one online course - there are written articles, downloadable worksheets and checklists, exclusive video segments, audio files, and quizzes and assignments to keep you on track. This course is insane and I’ve put my all into it. The cool thing too -- once you purchase you have lifetime access.Think about that for a second, you take the course you learn so much you get yourself primed and ready for the industry. Let’s say you get your first internship and you review all of my content on nailing your internship...then a year later you are updating your resume and you go back to the course to refresh, 10 years from now you are back in the market for a job and you want to review interviewing techniques and you review that.   This course isn’t going to be static, I will constantly update it, and you will have lifetime access to all the information. You’ll be part of a special community dedicated to mastering the art of working in the sports industry.And if you are listening and you are a professor, we have group rates so you could sign up your entire class each semester, like a cooler more important textbook, and they’ll have access for life. Heck, your entire department could use different segments of the course in their curriculum. As one professor told me after I spoke in one of their classes -- this information is life-changing for my students. And in the coming weeks...it’ll be available to all of you. There are 4 modules, *gaining the right experience*building and maintaining your network*Mastering your resume, cover letter, and personal brand*Interviewing for jobs and internshipsHere’s the deal - you’ll be able to buy individual modules for just $39 -- or you can buy all four for $99.And like I said if you are a professor - group rates for your students, it gets even cheaper so let’s talk. And if you are going to be at NASSM the North American Society for Sports Management conference later this month in New Orleans… so will I, so let’s chat face to face!Alright,

Learn more about the business of hockey from Chris Wojcik, NHL Director of Event Communication and Player Relations.Hi everyone it’s Brian before we jump into today’s interview with Chris Wojcik, NHL Director of Event Communication and Player Relations let’s talk about today’s sponsor, the University of Florida – Go Gators!The University of Florida offers an online master’s in sports management, and I’ll tell you I have met many people connected to the program, students, alumni, professors – and it’s a top-notch masters program.Their online master’s degree in sport management is flexible and comprehensive.  The program is a perfect fit for those looking to have an impact “behind-the-scenes” in sport, exploring critical aspects such as sports analytics, facility operations, and guest relations.And the program is 100% online… and can be completed part-time or full-time – perfect for busy, working people who want to advance in their career with in-depth knowledge and expertise.For more information and to download a free brochure, check out  http://ufsport.org/ ---And the Work in Sports podcast is brought to you by WorkinSports.com, the number one job board for the sports industry!We currently have 12,501 active jobs in the sports industry highlighted on our job board. Think about that for a second, I have people telling me every day, it’s so competitive, it’s so hard, I’m not getting noticed.Look, I get all that, but on our site, you are going to get the formula you need for success – career advice and guidance from me, Brian Clapp, 20 year veteran of the sports industry… and every single darn sports job there is in the marketplace. All in one spot!12,500 active jobs right now – that’s crazy.I’m scanning right now in this moment... I see a marketing and Community relations coordinator opening, sports marketing associate for a major university athletic program, an NFL team hiring an associate producer for digital content, assistant athletic director – we have it all.Sign up today and get your sports career going in a direction that will make you happy!If you are a student, we have an incredible deal, just visit workinsports.com/studentsAnd if you are not a student… well, we have a deal for you too check workinsports.com/playoffs – we’re running a crazy 75% promotion right now in the heat of the NBA and Stanley cup playoffs…get in on it!!Alright… let’s start the countdown…----Hey, everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, Director of Content for WorkinSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast…It seems like forever we have put the big four sports on a pedestal, dominating the US sports market. But let’s be honest, the four have drifted apart. The NFL and NBA have clearly separated from the pack, and major league baseball and the NHL have been struggling to keep up with the top level growth.Not only that, they’ve had a bevy of sports attacking them from behind. Soccer has grown in the US, with the MLS entering it’s 23rd year and adding successful expansion teams each year. Lacrosse and Rugby continue to grow domestically.But the NHL still holds seat #4 in US-based team sports.The ratings for this years Stanley Cup playoffs are the highest they’ve been since 1994, despite the lack of many major market teams. Rangers and Islanders gone… that means no new York market. Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia…gone gone gone.But in Carolina, Colorado, Columbus, Dallas, St. Louis and San Jose each market set local ratings records.The reason for the spike in ratings – drama. We all love drama, and while the first two rounds of the NBA playoffs saw chalk results with best teams sweeping lesser teams. The Stanley Cup playoffs were just the opposite.The first two rounds included 34 one-goal games,

Group interviews are becoming more and more common in the sports industry. Here's our advice on how to be the stand-out candidate during a group interview.Hey, everyone, it’s Brian before we get into today’s episode on group interviews and how to handle them, let’s talk a little about the Masters in Management focused on Sport Management at the University of Dubuque!Their 30 credit hour program can be completed in just one year, with an option to take classes online or face-to-face – flexibility really matters when pursuing your masters since many of you are working, and want to push to the next level. Having an online option really helps.Another thing that helps is the programs focus on key areas of finance, human resources, operations and strategy as they relate to the global sports marketplace.These are the skills that will serve you well in the business of sports! I always look through the curriculum of masters programs, and look for classes that make me think, “oh that’s valuable”In the University of Dubuque's Master's program, you have the option of taking a course titled Analytics for the Business Environment. Longtime fans of this show will remember that Mailynh Vu Assistant Director of Talent Acquisition for the Cleveland Indians said the greatest growth in the industry as she sees it, is in business analytics.There you have it, people! Get on it…If you are considering your Masters visit www.dbq.edu/MMSMNow, let’s start the countdown…Hi everybody, I’m Brian Clapp Director of Content for WorkinSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast…And Kawhi Leonard’s shot is still bouncing on the rim. Dude that was amazing, buzzer beaters are usually that straight in flush moment, to have this one just dance up there on the rim… sorry Philly fans, that was gut-wrenching.As most of you know I live outside of Philly, but am from Boston, so my sports roots are further northeast. All morning driving around town, sports radio is in a crazy funk. They are just all wrecked. I feel ya Philly fans… that is a tough way to go out.I was so locked into that game I didn’t even watch Game of Thrones yet… that’s for tonight, so no spoilers, please!Alright, let’s move on to today’s question… it comes in via our private facebook group from Megan B – if you aren’t a member of the group, join in, search for the Work in Sports Podcast on Facebook, find our group, request to join, answer a question or two just so I know you are legit…and I’ll let you in.Megan asked this question and it’s a good one:Hi Work in Sports Podcast listeners! My name's Megan and I'm a current Sport Management Master's student at Long Beach State and will be finishing my degree this July.I wanted to reach out and ask for tips regarding Group Interviews. I'm in the interview process for an Account Executive position at a PAC 12 University and I have a group interview scheduled this Thursday. This is one of the final stages in the hiring process.Any advice on what to do or not do would be greatly appreciated! This will be my first interview for a full-time position (and first ever group interview) and I really want to knock it out of the park. Thanks in advance for any help!Group interviews!Think about this for a second, you get the opportunity to interview for a job you are all excited – you make sure you are on time your suit looks good, or your dress is perfect. You’ve researched, you’ve prepped yourself to handle one on one situations – you are feeling your best.Then you get led to a conference room and there are 5 other people in there interviewing for the same job at the same time.You are part of a group interview… and it’s awkward.Many times you’ll know in advance, as Megan did as part of her question. But I know employers who spring this on people, and it is the unexpected moment.

Lisa Bregman, Seattle Seahawks Director of Marketing joins me on the Work in Sports podcast!Hi everybody, I’m Brian Clapp Director of Content for Workinsports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast…Seattle sits in a corner of the country all by itself when it comes to the NFL.The next closest team, the Oakland Raiders, are 812 miles to the south… and they are leaving for Las Vegas soon. Head due east and the next team you hit is in Minnesota…1,674 miles away, head southeast and you’ll eventually hit the Broncos after driving 1,307 miles.To put that in perspective, the Washington Redskins have 16 other NFL franchises within 800 miles.This creates a completely different approach to marketing for the Seahawks.  There are no rival fan bases, no competing markets… the Seahawks own the northwest in pro football. They don’t have a situation like the NY Jets having to compete with the NY Giants, or the Redskins having to compete with the Baltimore Ravens for fan bases.But that doesn’t mean it’s easy – being the only game in the region, means it’s also hard to convince people the team is worthy of their time and money. In the ’70s ’80s and '90s the Seahawks were the Jeff Fisher of teams, hovering around 8-8 for three decades.In 1995, in the midst of another, you guessed it 8-8 season a local newspaper ran the headline: In Search Of An Audience Seahawks’ Ticket Sales Hit All-Time Low; One Longtime Fan Couldn’t Give Seats Away.It’s not enough to be the only game in town – you have to create an environment, culture, connection to the community and experience worth taking part in. The Seahawks learned this in the 2000s.I lived in Seattle for 10 years, the fan base is passionate, captive, starved, dedicated to their cause and come out in droves…IF they are nurtured. If they are treated well. If they feel respected and wanted and important.That is the key – the community of sports fans in Seattle is robust and as passionate as any, but as a marketing team in Seattle, you can’t take them for granted just because you are the only team within a thousand miles.You have to work at keeping them!No one knows this better than this week’s guest, Lisa Bregman Director of Marketing for the Seahawks – Lisa has worked in the MLS with the LA Galaxy and the Chicago Fire, she’s worked on the agency side with Wasserman, and she joined the Seahawks a little over a year ago.Her challenge now is to keep the fan base engaged, build that community, make them realize how important they are and to draw their energy into every event throughout the NFL calendar… and it sure doesn’t hurt to have guys like Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll forming a culture of excitement and passion.Here she is, my friend Lisa Bregman with the Seattle Seahawks…Questions for Lisa Bregman, Seattle Seahawks Director of Marketing1: Before we get into your background and role with the Seahawks – we just finished up the NFL draft, and since you and I had been talking about this interview for a while, I kept thinking…man for a marketer with an NFL team the draft has to be a very unique experience where you’re creative juices must be flowing – what was that event like for you?It’s not like you drafted a no-name offensive guard either – you drafted Zeus. I mean DK Metcalf is a beast – there has to be some excitement around that and other players coming to the team?1a: Sports Marketing is one of the more popular fields in the industry – over 25% of the available sports jobs we have on our website are related to marketing -- but it’s an extremely broad term, marketing covers a lot – we’ll get into your high-level experience soon, but to start I want to understand what someone graduating college and trying to break into the i...

Hi everybody, I’m Brian Clapp Director of Content for WorkinSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast…Coming up this week – very excited to have Lisa Bregman, Seattle Seahawks Director of Marketing on the show coming up Wednesday. We are set to conduct our interview later this afternoon, and if all goes according to plan, and it should, Lisa will be Wednesday’s guest.Just to show you all I practice what I preach – I met Lisa at the Sports Industry Networking Conference, SINC, about 5 years ago. At that time she was the LA Galaxy’s Manager of Digital and Social Media, and we struck up a conversation. I didn’t have the podcast at the time, so I wasn’t working the angles for guests, it was just a chance to meet someone in the industry who was interesting.  We’ve stayed in touch over the years, and just last month I thought – Lisa, of course, she’d be a great guest!I don’t like the word networking… I prefer relationship building, but whatever you call it, it matters and it works. She needed to get the Seahawks approval for the interview, and I’m telling you, if we hadn’t met before and built up a contact, I doubt she would have bothered having to run through the steps of getting PR approval. Busy people in high-pressure roles don’t tend to look for ways to add more to their plate unless it’s worth it.So Lisa on Wednesday… it’ll be awesome, she’s great.Now, a little behind the scenes of the podcast. I never know what I’m going to talk about Monday morning. I really try to shut off work over the weekend, so I’m not brainstorming ideas. I’m not thinking about relevant sports industry questions while I’m at my kid's soccer game… I’m thinking about my kid's soccer game.Not to sound preachy but, be present in your moments people.I start my day Monday morning and look for inspiration – what am I feeling, what are people asking, where is the conversation going.I checked our private facebook group – again if you are not a member of that group what is wrong with you? 1,251 people all focused in on networking and asking sports career focused questions and helping each other out..plus many of our past guests are active in the group,  like Chris Valente Director of Sales for Fenway Sports Management, he literally posted something this weekend when group member Shawn Stewart posted a question asking if anyone had heard of SponsorUnited a company he was interviewing with.Think about that a second – you ask “Just had a phone interview for a Virtual Sponsorship Intern position for the LA Chargers with SponsorUnited. Has anyone heard anything about this company? Wish me luck!”And the Director of Sales for Fenway Sports Management responds:“They are revolutionizing the way teams get data on sponsorships. We (The Red Sox) bought their product. Great company”Um, hello! Where the hell else does that happen! So join the group already – search for the Work in Sports podcast in Facebook, answer a few easy questions, and I’ll let you in.If you say something nice about me, I’ll let you in even faster. Flattery works people, don’t think it doesn’t.Anyway, I bring this up, because checking our private facebook group I see this incredible question from Marlon Vigan,“Do you think an advanced degree works against you in getting a job in sports? I already work for teams on a part-time/game day basis, but looking for advancement within. Any suggestions/advice???”This question had 26 comments and clearly sparked some important conversation – so it seems like a great place to start today’s podcast, right?Marlon! My man let’s talk advance degrees.First I want to start with a message for everyone – you have to pursue a master’s with a specific intention. A Master’s, especially in sports, is not a delay tactic. I hear this all the time, “I’m about to graduate,

What is partnership activation as it applies to the sports industry? Chelsea Zahn, Pittsburgh Steelers Partnership Activation Specialist joins the show to discuss that and much more!Hi, everybody, I’m Brian Clapp Director of Content for WorkinSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast…There is a hunt for fit in the sports industry. Thousands of people each year say to themselves…I want to work in sports. I love sports, I have a passion for sports, I need to make it my career. But they aren’t exactly where or how.That’s where we so often come in, helping to bridge that gap between a job seekers want and a employers need.But let’s take a deeper look on that job seeker side – it isn’t always a smooth process figuring out how to turn a passion, something that really energizes you, into a day-to-day career with earning potential, high ceiling and a dose of reality.I was one of those lost souls through the vast majority of my college career – loved sports – had no idea what to do about that fact. I thought physical therapy for a while… I dabbled in some other ideas… and kept getting back to the big question “What should I do in sports?”I didn’t have anyone to ask back then for advice, there was no Work in Sports podcast, there were no industry experts getting interviewed weekly, there was no LinkedIn where I could reach out and connect with experts in the field. You felt pretty alone in your journey. The vast majority of my professors cared more about how you did in their class, and their own research projects, than the bigger and more important question of “what’s next for you and how do we get you there?”Quick side story, when I first started to consider the idea of working in the media, I had an informational interview with the News Director of a Philadelphia TV station. Couldn’t connect with him on LinkedIn, so I literally reached out with a phone call…and it worked.I was very excited, practiced my questions, and really wanted to make a good impression for hopes it may lead to a job or internship.I remember one of my questions was about the standards he set for their station's news coverage, were there certain things he drew the line on and wouldn’t show, or was everything fair game.He said in no uncertain terms they won’t show body bags on the broadcast, he felt that was unethical and salacious.No joke…that night, feeling like a convert to their station, I watched their news to see this guy and his advice in action! Their first story was a massive car accident… and had at least three body bags in it.I felt rudderless and disheartened at this time. I really felt like nothing was pointing me in the right direction.Obviously, I persevered, and this isn’t all about me, so I’ll wrap up my little story time soapbox with this.I know what it’s like to feel lost, which is why I’m always trying to share my time and effort to help others find their way… in fact, I think I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to find new ways into the industry.One thing our podcast has proven is that there is no one way into the industry, for every Leigh Steinberg sports agency trailblazer, there is a Jennifer Keene, VP of Athlete and Property Marketing for Octagon…a psychology major at Cornell who started out her career at People Magazine in the sales department, or Mike Judge Cleveland Browns Director of Ticket Sa...

Big question today, what does it mean to be qualified for a job and is it appropriate to apply when you aren't a 100% match? Let's dig in!Hi everybody, I’m Brian Clapp Director of Content for WorkinSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast…A couple of quick updates before we get into this week's sports career focused question, which is a good one that just came in this morning from Bill Wang. I had a direction I was going to go this morning, then I woke up, checked my inbox, had a great question in there…and called an audible.But before we get to that… coming up on Wednesday is an interview I’m pretty excited about. Chelsea Zahn from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Chelsea works in a side of the industry I knew very little about, and what I found out after interviewing her is that her role is a great side of the business for people to enter and thrive in.She’s in partnership activation – which essentially means, once sponsorship sales team signs on a new corporate sponsor, it is her job to work with them in both a customer service style role and a strategic execution role. She's working with local businesses to keep them happy and fulfilled as part of the Steelers community of sponsors.Very cool role – she explains it better than I can… and a worth listen especially for those still trying to figure out their fit in the industry and learn about options.Last note, then we’ll get to the question…For the last 2 years, multiple times per week, I have been asked to personally consult with people about their sports career. To date I have told people, listen to the podcast and if you have specific questions reach out to me and I’ll help. I love helping, it’s what I do, and that’s why I have this and other forums available to all of you.That said, I’ve had hundreds of people ask for more. So we’re going to deliver more.The team at Work in Sports and I have created an online course – a work at your own speed and pace learning center – where you can learn the strategies and tactics behind all of my best sports career advice. How to gain the RIGHT experience and make sure it matches employer needs, Building and maintaining your network, mastering your resume, cover letter, and personal brand, making sure you nail the interview process…and much more.These are the pillars of getting hired in the industry, but it’s the stuff you never get taught!No one focuses in on this part in their college education, and then people come to me and say “Hey I’m a college graduate… how do I get hired?”This has long frustrated me – people graduate will industry-relevant knowledge, but have no idea how to get a job!  So we created this course to help bridge the gap between what colleges and universities teach, and what employers want and need.It’s not about GPA – it is much more than that.No matter where you are in your career, this course will help you…and trust me we’re making it way more affordable than I wanted to.Just being honest – I had a certain price point in mind, and my boss said “hey, let’s make this a little easier for people to afford” and then I said “But boss, this is all my best stuff we can’t just give it away” and then he said “we aren’t going to give it away literally, but kind of.”And then I gave up and said…” you’re the boss”Now it isn’t 100% done yet and ready for market – I’m still putting the paint job on it… but soon. And I wanted you all to hear it from me first.Ok, now let’s get to today’s question from Bill Wang:I am reaching out because I have a question that I think applies to a lot of people when job hunting. Should I still apply to a job if I don't meet all the requirements for it? There are a lot of openings that I think my experience/skills fit most of the requirements, but there are always 1 or 2 that I don't fit and it will deter me from applying because I don't think I am going to land an inter...

IMG Academy is changing the way we consider education in America, training athletes in the classroom and the field at a highly concentrated level. This weeks guest explains how schools like IMG Academy are on the rise.   Hi, everybody, I’m Brian Clapp Director of Content for WorkinSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast…For centuries European soccer academies have scouted and hand selected youth players to come to their facility and begin training at an elevated level. This isn’t dad’s coaching their sons and daughters through weekend youth leagues, this is the big time, where unique skill sets are identified and honed at just 7- and 8 years old.These programs aren’t a lottery ticket, where success and patient development is guaranteed, quite the opposite. Players come in every year and if they don’t make the proper advancements, show the right mental toughness, or provide a strong enough glimpse of their athletic ceiling, they are bounced from the program without fanfare.   The youth academy of the famed Dutch club Ajax is aptly called De Togkst which means – The Future.The Ajax youth academy is not a boarding school, their players all live within a 35-mile radius of Amsterdam and the academy sends out buses to pick up the youth players halfway through their school day and then tutors them for half the day in academics before hitting the training pitch.Other youth academies in Europe, like IFX Valencia International Soccer Academy in Spain, are boarding schools, a full-time commitment to the players athletic and academic development.This concept of youth identification and then a deep focus on building the athlete within is common in Europe but relatively new in America.IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida is the most successful brand of youth athletic and academic development in the United States. Operating camps and boarding school programs in Football, Tennis, Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, Golf, Lacrosse and Track and Field Cross County.Elite athletes seeking the opportunity to develop under the watchful eye of professional coaches, flock to the gulf coast in hopes of reaching their true potential. Traditional high school settings no longer provide the necessary training and focus, while the IMG Academy model is full of success stories.The baseball program at IMG Academy has been extremely productive, with* 185 D1 commitments since 2006* 12 National Tournaments won* 34 Student-athletes earned All-American honors* 29 Student-athletes selected in MLB First-Year Players Draft* 30 Alumni have made MLB appearancesNow that is proof of concept.Today’s guest is Colbe Herr Program and Business Manager for the baseball academy at IMG, doing everything to managing the budget and team travel, to event coordination and management – but let’s let him tell you more about it… here is Colbe Herr, Program and Business Manager for baseball at IMG Academy.Questions for Colbe Herr, IMG Academy Baseball Business and Program Manager 1: Before we get into the background and development of young baseball players… let’s start with your background and development. You played baseball at York College in Pennsylvania – when did you figure out you wanted to make baseball your career?2: You graduated 5 years ago, played a little pro ball, did a little coaching, a little scouting…then joined the staff at IMG Academy – how much has being a former student-athlete helped you in your transition to the sports business world?3: IMG Academy is a one-of-a-kind experience in the United States – a full-time boarding school focused on academics and advanced year-round athletic training – personally, what drew you to this particular opportunity?4: Your title is Business and Program Manager for Baseball – what does your day-to-day role consist of?5: From content creation and operation budgets to team travel… you have a lot on your plate – it’s almost like you are an Athletic Director – what part of the ro...

The Big Question today, can you apply for multiple jobs at the same organization at the same time? Let's dig in.Hi everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, Director of Content for WorkinSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast…For all of the professors in the audience – and I know you are out there - I’m going to be at NASSM conference in New Orleans for a few days this year. First time at NASSM, so connect with me if you’d like to connect.For those of you that have no idea what I’m talking about – NASSM is the North American Society for Sports Management – which sounds so official. The Society for Sports Management. Well, they have a yearly conference and I’m going.Why am I going – a couple of reasons:1: I speak in a lot of college classrooms about getting hired in the sports industry, and I’d like to meet some of the professors face-to-face.2: Our product WorkinSports.com is an incredible tool for students, not just to find sports jobs, although we are the absolute best at that, but also as a research tool into the industry, so again talking to professors on that.And finally #3:  We are creating an online curriculum on the strategies and tactics students and aspiring sports workers need to employ to getting hired in the sports industry. Colleges often do a great job of teaching you the theories and skills… but they don’t focus on 'the how to get hired' stuff. That is where we come in, and I’m telling you, after spending months and months on this… it’s balling.Videos, written word, assignments, podcasts, downloadable worksheets, and checklists… it is so ridiculously thorough and is your key to getting hired.We’ll be doing group sales direct with colleges, and individual sales for anyone via WorkinSports.com…  as you can tell I’m super excited about it and if I’ve piqued your interest…connect with me and we can talk more.As for today's sports career focused question… it comes in from Kavolshia Howse – I met Kavolshia at our Sports Career Accelerator event in Atlanta back in September… and she had a question about her job hunt, now she mentions some specific companies in this email, and I’m taking them out but you’ll still get the gist of her questionHi Brian,I hope you are well. I'm reaching out because I need some job-hunting advice. I have an interview coming up for an associate producer role with [a certain network]. However, another network under the same umbrella of companies recently posted an associate producer opening as well. I would like to be considered for both positions but I don't want to jeopardize a potential relationship with the larger company.Do you have any advice for me? Kavo – good question and I’m going to go two angles with this.1: Your example is with a huge organization with many separate business units/branches/bureaus --But 2: Another similar question I get all the time is can I apply to two jobs at the same company at the same time.Let’s start with #2… No, you can’t. If it is the same organization, same building, same HR department, same, same… applying to multiple jobs is a red flag.Applying to two different jobs at the same company at the same time sends the wrong message. It tells the employer, I want any job with your organization, not this particular job, just any job.That is not the message employers want to hear.For example, if the Savannah Bananas have an opening for a Director of Fan Engagement and a Director of Ticket Sales – pick the job you want and are the best fit for, and apply.If during the process it becomes clear you aren’t going to get the job you originally intended – then you can pivot - but only after the message that you aren’t getting this job is clear.Let’s say you are on an interview for the job in Fan Engagement,

Being a coach means you are always in the public eye, but rarely understood. Dr. Amy Giddings from Temple University joins the Work in Sports podcast this week to discuss the unknown world of being a coach.Hi everybody, I’m Brian Clapp Director of Content for WorkinSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast…There is something magical about coaching. From dad’s coaching their daughter’s soccer team (ahem that may be me) to Bill Belichick leading the charge to multiple super bowls… we can all watch, judge, admire or hate the coaches we are surrounded by in our daily sports life.It makes this career unique. No one watches and judges an accountant on their work. The public at large doesn't question the decision making of a mid-level manager at the local insurance company. Coaching at every level is an inherently vulnerable position where you will be umpired by parents, fans and media members on the daily.  The first couple of years I started working in the sports industry, in a way, I hated to talk to regular people, in regular industries about sports. It was frustrating. Everyone has an opinion on sports, everyone thinks they are an expert, everyone who watches SportsCenter or listens to some overdramatized debate show has an attitude about their sports knowledge.When people found out I worked in the sports industry, they’d always try to quiz me or throw out some random fact that they knew and I didn’t. It was frustrating as hell.It exasperated me because early in my career I definitely looked down on people, just being honest here. I looked at them and thought…you think you know stuff? I have access to the greatest reporters in the land, I speak with coaches, I hang out with players, NFL MVP Shaun Alexander is on my speed dial! How dare you!But that’s the thing about sports in general, the information is so public, that everyone can be an expert on some level. As I got older, I cared less and less about who is the smartest in the land, but you get my vibe here.Always being tested, questioned, and prodded by armchair experts can be irritating.Coaching is even worse.There are more subtleties and dynamics to coaching than just X’s and O’s and substitution patterns, game plans and rotations – but everyone thinks they are an expert. When I used to sit and chat with coaches who were analysts with our network, you’d be amazed at the depth of knowledge they have and how they seem like savants in their sport.And yet - we all sit in a bar stools judging every move as is we have a vision into the future that they don’t.This isn't to say fans and parents and media can't have opinions or judge the coaches they watch perform - that's part of the gig and every coach knows it - but it does mean sometimes we should all listen more than we judge. Coaching is an art form, a fascinating one at that, which is why I wanted to have Dr. Amy Giddings from Temple University on the show. Her research into the dynamics of coaching is fascinating and represents a chance for us all to listen and learn...Questions for Dr. Amy Giddings, Temple University1: I’m really excited for this conversation because your research and background goes deep into aspects of coaching, not only as a career but as it relates to gender and the needs of today’s athletes… but before we get into that, let’s dive into your background a bit.You went from undergrad at the University of Dayton, right into your Masters at Temple and then your Ph.D. at Temple and now you teach at Temple – did you always know your future was in higher education and why this path?2: I’ve always believed student-athletes make great employees – they are disciplined, competitive, have strong time management – you competed as a student-athlete at the Div 1 level,

An insiders viewpoint on sports social media with Zachary Galia Pittsburgh Steelers social media managerHi, everybody, I’m Brian Clapp Director of Content for WorkinSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast…More and more in today’s sports world, teams have become their own media outlets.For years those of us in the traditional broadcast media feared a couple of things… the immediacy of information and teams taking things in house.The immediacy of information was a big one. At the sports networks I worked for we could rely on people tuning in at noon, 6 pm and 11 pm to get their in-depth sports information.But that changed so dramatically at the turn of the century. Everyone could get information immediately – news, videos, stats, data – it was all available. Many traditional broadcast networks are still struggling to figure out how they are relevant in this new world order…that has been around for a decade plus, but some of us are slower to adapt than others.The other big fear was teams utilizing their access and turning into their own media provider. Think about it, as a former news director I’d be working angles with the teams to allow us access to players. Everything ran through PR, and half the time they’d say no.We couldn’t get in the locker room, we couldn’t get into the workouts behind the scenes, we couldn’t see players in their natural environment.When we’d do a yearly threat assessment, this was always a big one for me… what if the teams decide to do what we can’t? What if they become their own media source?This is our reality now, and it is incredible for the audience. Information in the moment. Connectivity to the athletes. Behind the scenes looks at the world of the elite athlete. Visuals and moments shared instantaneously.But this doesn’t happen on its own – this new reality is backed by creative people knowing and deciphering what is interesting about what is happening.They are the new agenda setters for our world. They tell us what is important with their team – they inspire us to share, life and engage with their content.They are the gatekeeper to our knowledge - letting us in on a story or holding back on it, deciding this isn’t the right time to explore this angle.The new power operators in the sports information game are the team social media members – like today’s guest Zachary social media manager for the Pittsburgh Steelers…Questions for Zachary Galia Pittsburgh Steelers Social Media Manager1: Before we dig into your role in social media with the Steelers, let’s go back a bit to your beginning.So many people assume you must go to a big, well-known school to make it in major professional sports. You went to Adrian College in Michigan, a small school with just over 1600 students, which is probably smaller than some high schools in the Pittsburgh area – fast forward a few years and you’re the Social Media Manager with one of the biggest brands in sports.Broad question but… how did this happen?2: Before the Steelers you were the Digital Content Coordinator for Michigan International Speedway, managing their social media presence…but you also wrote, produced, shot and edited all videos for YouTube and other social channels.How important is it to have the technical skills to create, not just the creative skills…and how did you learn these techniques?3:  In your first race weekend your social media channels reached over 10million users and 121.8 million impressions. That’s some crazy exposure – and a heck of an impression made on your bosses. I can picture the person who hired you giving themselves a high five. Those numbers were second only to the Daytona 500 that NASCAR season.Explain that to me – what was different about your approach than every other race that season…what was it that cut through the...

When you exude confidence in your job interviews, it gives the employer confidence in hiring you. Here's how to do it!Hi everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, Director of Content for WorkinSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast…The last few weeks we’ve had some incredible guests on the show, if you haven’t listened yet I suggest you go back and give the episodes with Lauren Sisler, SEC Network reporter, and Gloria Nevarez, West Coast Conference commissioner a listen.Great information, and inspirational stories. Coming up this week – Zachary Galia Pittsburgh Steelers Social Media Manager – Zach and I have a very cool conversation on what goes into his day to day experience with the Steelers!For those of you new to this show – welcome! – I love new listeners! On Mondays, I publish an episode going deep on a fan question about their sports career. If you want to submit a question, you can hit me up on LinkedIn, message me on our private facebook group which you can join by searching for the Work in Sports podcast on Facebook and answering a few questions – or you can email me bclapp at Work in Sports dot com.Plenty of options! If your question is read on the show, I’ll give you a free month to our site which is way worth it.ON Wednesdays are our expert interviews – and the cool thing about those, especially if you are a new listener, all of them are just a relevant today as they were the day I published them. I don’t ask questions that are in the moment or directly connected to that day's sports news.We focus on career advice, their journey, how they go their first job, the challenges of their role, what they look for when hiring. So again, if you want to go back and listen to my interview with Leigh Steinberg, or Mailynh Vu talent acquisition manager for the Cleveland Indians, or Mike Judge Inside Sales Manager with the Cleveland Browns, or Shaun Richard Associate Athletic Director for Ohio State – go for it, the information is still on point I promise.One last pitch before the question – we also have a Facebook LIVE session every Thursday at 7:30 pm est from the Work in Sports Facebook page where I answer all of your sports career focused questions LIVE – super fun, I love the interaction, so come join me on Thursdays.Ok, let’s get to today’s question – it comes in from Jack in Nebraska.Hi Brian – love the show, I have learned so much from your programming! I find the Monday editions to be so incredibly informative and I hope this question is good enough to make the cut. Congratulations Jack it is!I feel like my confidence is low going into interviews, I have so many things running through my head that I don’t think I project the best version of myself. In the past, you’ve talked about being self-reflective after an interview and trying to figure out what went wrong – well, for me, I’ve concluded it’s my confidence. Any chance you can help?   Jack – first off I am so impressed that you are being self-reflective after an interview, this is so important. Every interview should be a learning experience, but only if you put the work in.After an interview, I’ll ask someone how it went and they’ll say “fine”. I probe, and they have very little to give back. Then they don’t get the job and wonder,” What went wrong?” to which I respond…I don’t know, I wasn’t there.It is on you, the individual, to write things down after an interview… was there a certain question I didn’t handle well, did I mess up the handshake, did I forget to make eye contact, was my energy level low, did I forget to smile and show some enthusiasm?