What I Do
Sports Media
- Job Title: ESPN Patriots reporter
- Years in Profession: 26
- Job and Daily Responsibilities:
To report on the Patriots on ESPN’s platforms, which includes reporting and writing for ESPN.com, appearing on television programs on ESPN, and on ESPN Radio. Depending on the day, the responsibilities can vary significantly. And depending on the season, the hours can vary, with the most intense schedule (essentially 24/7) coming during the regular season.
Education
Framingham High School (Class of 1993); University of Massachusetts (BS, Class of 1997)
Pre-Employment Experience
As a high school student, I edited and wrote for the local newspaper in my hometown. It was such a meaningful experience, learning from great mentors who taught me what it meant to be a professional and being part of a team. Among other experiences included volunteering for the local cable station in Amherst during college and broadcasting high school basketball games and broadcasting high school football games on a local radio station.
List of classes that are most important/applicable to succeed in your profession:
Classes can be important. Picking a major can be important, too. But some of the best advice I ever received is that the most important thing — more than classes, a major etc. — is getting your “Been There” degree. There is no substitute from getting out and gaining actual experience in the field. So I put my personal experience writing for the local newspaper, school newspaper, and working for the school radio station as the most important/applicable things to laying a solid foundation on which to grow from.
Advice From A Leader
One thing about this field: You’ll often be working (e.g. weekends, nights etc.) when everyone else is enjoying themselves and that sometimes isn’t the easiest thing. But as Bill Belichick often says about his own job, if you truly love what you do, “it beats working.” If you think that might be you, or you just want to learn more about the field, one suggestion is to compile a list of questions you’re curious about and reach out to those whose work you follow (possibly through social media) to try to connect with them. You might be surprised at how many people are willing to help, because they probably haven’t forgotten they were once in the same position you are now.