If you're a student assistant in your athletics communications office and you're reading this blog, first of all, welcome. I hope that the things here on the blog have been helpful to you so far. This morning's post is completely directed towards you.
Let's face it - there are a lot of people out there who want to enter this profession. Some people want to enter the field because they're huge sports fanatics, but have no knowledge of the business of sports. Some people (of either gender) want to enter this field because they are so-called "jersey chasers." Some people want to enter this field because they think it will make them a celebrity or they will be able to mingle with celebrities.
How do you differentiate yourself from these people to best position yourself for experience and future jobs? And, I'm not saying this is what everyone wants. If you're volunteering in your school's athletics communications office just because it's something cool to do but you don't have any interest in pursuing it as a career, that's fine. I have nothing against those people. That's what college is for - finding out what you like and what you don't. I'm sure your athletics communications office greatly appreciates the time and effort you are able to provide, and the enthusiasm you bring to their operation.
But what if this is what you want to do for a career? Here's my advice - take it for what it's worth. It may not work for you. But I think many of these principles can transcend departments, schools and people - they're universal.
1.) Treat your position (whether it be paid or unpaid) with your athletics communications office like your full-time job. You've heard of the saying "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have." Let's adapt that - and it's even more true in this case "Work like you have the job to which you aspire." I'm not saying to have the EGO that you have an administrative position (definitely not), what I'm saying is to make your DEDICATION to the job equivalent to that of the top person in a job to which you one day aspire. In actuality, that may not be your own supervisor. Identify people across the country in the job to which you aspire that you can look up to.
How do you do this best? Be the person who is there in a time of need. Most students can't be found over Thanksgiving holidays or Christmas holidays. All athletics communications directors are scrambling for workers during events over the holidays. If you're there and none of your peers are, you're going to get something meaningful to do and have your opportunity to shine. You make your own luck happen. Give yourself these opportunities.
Spend most of your time in the office. It's my experience that a student who works on a schedule gets assigned less tasks and given less responsibility. For me, now as a full-time athletics communications professional, it's more work for me to make sure there is something to do for a student who shows up every Monday and Wednesday at 11 a.m. Fact is, students get assigned better jobs when they just happen to be sitting around and get assigned something when the SID is in need. For example, my freshman year I got better assignments while hanging in the office after 6 p.m. then I did during the traditional work-day. This goes back to dedication.
Make your own assignments. See something that could be done better? See something that other schools are doing that your school isn't? Do it and then present it to your supervisor or specific sport contact. They are less likely to say no to a completed project than they are to a suggestion without a finished product. Suggestions are much easier to give up than are concrete completed projects.
Ask your boss if you can attend the athletics communications weekly staff meetings. Maybe you're not sure you have something to contribute, but you can learn a lot (good ideas and bad) from what you hear in those meetings. Beginning with the summer before my junior year of college, I began scheduling my classes around that weekly meeting to make sure I was always able to attend and contribute.
2.) Never ask "Am I good?": If you are a student helping with an athletics event, never leave before the primary contact for that sport leaves. Always ask "What else can I do" and if there is nothing, just hang around until they are done working. It's always nice to have company and it's always nice to have a helping hand there if the primary contact thinks of something they could use assistance with. If all the work from the game is done, but the primary contact is staying around to update his/her notes for the next game, ask "What section do you want me to take?" or "What can I help you update?" If you ask "Am I good," odds are, the athletics communications director is likely going to release you because they don't want to hear you complain about having to be there. Just hang around and show your dedication.
3.) Always Work the "Lesser" Event: Most students, and some full-time staffers, tend to rank events. I'm definitely not saying this is right - every event your athletics department holds is a major event and should be treated as such without rank. But, for the purpose of example, if your school has a conference football game and a women's golf tournament going on at the same time, many are going to view the "women's golf tournament" as a lesser event. Where should you be as a standout student assistant? At the women's golf tournament. You are more valuable to that golf contact who likely has no help and that will reflect your dedication to being a "team player." And, if there's time when golf is over to go help at football, head that way. But don't rush to leave the golf tournament. Always work the so-called "lesser" event if it doesn't conflict with sports that you are either the primary or secondary contact for.
4.) Get to Know Opposing SIDs: At every event, whether it's football, volleyball or tennis, always make it a point to introduce yourself to the visiting SID before the event. This is a great way to make contacts and, as I've found over the years, a great way to make friends. Plus, people are most likely to hire the people they know, rather than people they don't know.
5.) Be Willing To Carry The Heavy Box: This was something I was terrible at when I first started as a freshman. Back then, I thought (completely wrong) if I was writing press releases and coordinating interviews, something most of the other students weren't doing, then why should I have to carry the heavy box? Isn't there someone else that has more time do this? I was completely wrong and am still somewhat embarrased about my behavior in those early days.
Here's why you need to carry the heavy box. First of all, the box needs to be carried. Someone has to carry it ... why not you? Second, it's good practice for your leadership skills. Employees dislike a leader who assigns tasks that he/she is not willing to perform him/herself. They are more willing to carry a box you ask them to if they have seen you do that task previously. Additionally, employees (or your fellow students) aren't going to respect you if you bark orders to carry a box and then walk to the arena with nothing more in your hands than your briefcase. Carry the heavy box.
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Most importantly, always be humble about it. Your goals aren't necessarily the same as those of your peers. That's fine (a lesson I also had to learn). I guarantee you all of your fellow student assistants are just as driven as you - athletics communications may be there hobby, while it's your career path. Maybe they want to become the next great lawyer or professor or museum curator. That's great. Encourage them to pursue their goals, even if they're not the same as yours. I promise you this, your fellow students in the athletics communications office are going to end up being your best friends for life. Don't miss out on that opportunity.
Always be willing to ask for advice or mentoring from professionals in the field. I'm always willing to help, so feel free to send me a note. Best of luck in your career pursuits.
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