Class of
2000
Bio: Responsible for all men’s college basketball programming on ESPN’s family of networks. I work on acquiring rights and scheduling games on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, ESPNU, ESPN360, and ESPN Full Court.
ATVN positions and duties: Sports Anchor
How did ATVN prepare you for your current job?
ATVN does an unbelievable job providing students with the knowledge they’ll need, not just in television, but also in the working world period. It’s an excellent training ground for responding to pressure and deadlines and collaborating with peers.
What is your advice to aspiring journalists?
Are you really willing to move anywhere, or do you just say you are? I always told myself I’d never leave California, but when a dream job comes along, I picked up and moved to Connecticut, even though there are only 10 nice days a year here. If you really have passion for what you do, follow it wherever it takes you. Also, take advantage of the Trojan Family! We’re always glad to help.
What are the top three skills college journalism students should be working on in order to be prepared for their first broadcasting job?
1. Find out who your boss is. I can’t stress this enough, even the most amazing job can be absolutely awful if you find yourself working for the wrong person. 2. If the job is far away, please visit first. I imagine everyone visited USC at least once before deciding to attend, and this should be no different. Talk to people, see how morale is, both at a personal and professional level. 3. Professionalism - When you graduate from USC, you may feel old because you’ve spent four years at the same place and you’re the oldest of your peers. But as soon as you get out there, you realize what a kid you are, and worse yet, everyone else realizes what a kid you are. Youthful enthusiasm and exuberance is on your side, but try and temper it a little.
What is the most important thing a college journalist should know when he or she is trying to negotiate his or her first job?
You have little or no leverage. Don’t waste your time negotiating. Take what you can get and start working hard. Once you’ve proven yourself, there will be plenty of time to negotiate.
What prepared you most for your current job?
Combination of passion for what I do and a willingness to work hard.
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