Episodes
What if there was a way to use science to figure out the best career path for you? A way to narrow down the many options into a much more manageable choice. Well, Brian got a big hit of inspiration while watching Oppenheimer. He donned his lab coat and pocket protector, got out his calculator, and started testing. I picture Brian as more of a Bill Nye than an Einstein in the lab. Either way, he's giving you a new approach to finding what you are good at and what you will love and thrive...
Published 03/22/24
75% of resumes don't pass through ATS (applicant tracking systems). Recruiters spend an average of 7.6 seconds reading the ones that do. The sports industry is highly competitive because… well, sports. You need to take every advantage offered, and AI is the quickest way to get your resume into the right hands. Brian covers 21 ways —that's right, 21 ways—that you can ask Chat GPT, Gemini, Jasper, and all the other robots to not only make your job application materials shine but also do it...
Published 03/15/24
Get your portfolios, reels, and certificates ready… As Gangstarr put it, this episode is all about "skills, skills, skills." R.I.P. Guru. Skills-based hiring is trending in the sports industry, raising the question, "Do you really need a college degree to make it in the sports industry?" Join Brian as he breaks down the shift happening in sports job hunting. Is it a temporary trend or here to stay? Brian shares tips for job seekers to take advantage of the change, helping you win with...
Published 02/09/24
Whether you're just starting out or seeking a promotion in the sports industry, Brian Clapp shares the top strategies for advancing your career during this week's WorkInSports Podcast. Calling upon his journey from the video editing room all the way to the director's chair for a sports network, Brian can provide first-hand experience of how to lock down promotions. It's not always a straight path in the sports biz, and there are simple steps you can take to get your foot in many doors without...
Published 02/02/24
Everyone knows that networking is one of the keys to career success. YOU know you have to do it... but, like... HOW DO YOU DO IT? For real, what are you supposed to say? Networking is scary and awkward for many job seekers. Anyone can hit the "connect" button on LinkedIn, but the task is daunting after that. So Brian is laying out the exact blueprint for you to start building meaningful relationships. It's simple and repeatable, too! His tips aren't a magic pill to make networking suddenly...
Published 12/08/23
Join Brian Clapp as he explores three indispensable attributes you need to develop for a thriving career in sports: curiosity, competitiveness, and coachability. Brian breaks down the significance of these traits in the sports industry and offers tips for job seekers aiming to showcase these qualities during the interview process. Discover how curiosity fuels continuous learning, why competitiveness shows employers that you will outwork others, and the pivotal role coachability plays in...
Published 11/30/23
Sports internships are among the best ways to gain experience, connections, and skills as you build your career. In addition to providing an excellent training ground for you to apply your abilities, they also offer organic opportunities to build a network that can help you get a job. Getting varied experiences through multiple sports internships is one thing; taking advantage of the opportunities they present is another. Today’s guest on the WorkInSports Podcast is Alana Meraz, MLB...
Published 11/22/23
If you type “job search advice” into Google, you’ll come up with nearly endless results that cover the gamut. But there is one aspect of the job searching process that is often overlooked – the toll it takes on mental health. Brian not only provides practical tips for managing the stress and exhaustion of job hunting but also empathizes with long-term job seekers. Job search fatigue is a real challenge, and it is ok to feel lost. Whether you’re actively seeking employment or supporting...
Published 11/17/23
Emerging sports outside the big four of football, basketball, baseball, and hockey can face an uphill climb in gaining participants and a fan base. Leagues such as Fan Controlled Football and the World Surf League must get creative to find their niche among sports fans in a market saturated with options. However, when a sport catches on, it can grow rapidly. That’s the case with pickleball, which entered 2023 enjoying a three-year stretch as America’s fastest-growing sport. A 2022 survey by...
Published 11/08/23
Daily fantasy sports is booming. More customers = more money = more JOBS. The best part is that the competition for jobs in the industry is less fierce than in traditional sports because there is so much untapped potential. That's why we're speaking with our guest, Dylan Cooper, Senior VP of Revenue at PrizePicks, a rapidly growing daily fantasy platform. Dylan's unexpected journey into the industry started as a daily fantasy junkie, tracking every stat of every game like all good sports...
Published 11/02/23
Travis Kelce has dominated the NFL on the field for nearly a decade, but he's exploded in the media over the past couple of years. Two big-time players in his growth are Aaron and Andre Eanes, the leaders of A&A Management Group. The Eanes twins aren't just financial guys; they are true day ones that have pushed their clients, like Travis, into life-changing opportunities. While we've only mentioned Travis Kelce (and no T Swift mentions... at least 'til now), A&A represent other...
Published 10/25/23
When looking for a job, especially your first one in the sports industry, salary negotiation can take a back seat to getting a foot in the door and starting your career. However, starting at a lower salary leads to lost earning potential that you have to make up later. A pair of WorkInSports Podcast listeners are dealing with the nuances of negotiating salary in the sports industry and are looking for guidance: “Hey Brian, I’m a recent college grad who just got my first job offer! I’m stoked!...
Published 10/04/23
Fundraising is the lifeblood of competitive college athletics. While TV contracts, ticket sales, and sponsorships make up a sizable portion of an athletic department’s revenue stream, securing donations is the main catalyst for the capital projects, scholarship funding, and endowments that drive programs forward. Getting these projects off the ground takes dedicated workers in development offices who can appeal to donors’ fandom and pride for their favorite programs. Today’s guest on the...
Published 09/27/23
Making it to the national stage in sports broadcasting is a tall order. WorkInSports Podcast host Brian Clapp made it far in his career behind the scenes with CNN/Sports Illustrated and Fox Sports Northwest. However, doing so on camera is even more competitive, with fewer available jobs. To climb the ladder on air takes a lot of repetition to create an opportunity in the spotlight, potentially a bit of luck for said opportunity to materialize, and nerves of steel to take advantage of what...
Published 09/20/23
With employers facing a shortage of skilled candidates, learning in-demand skills is one way to stand out in a competitive job market. That is what our guest, Director of Partnership Sales for the Pittsburgh Penguins Luke Mohamed, did. About the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Luke Mohamed Mohamed cut his teeth working for the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon for five years. He began as an intern, which required him to wear many hats on their small staff, and he learned to love the creative...
Published 09/13/23
Pulling off a career change requires preparation as you highlight how the skills you built transfer to a new field. Today’s question for the WorkInSports Podcast comes from Alex, an aspiring career changer looking to pivot into the sports industry: “I’ve listened to a lot of episodes where people don’t know what they want to do in the sports industry, but I haven’t been able to find one where it’s someone with a lot of experience but none in sports who wants to change. I’ve owned a company...
Published 09/07/23
With technology like artificial intelligence emerging into the spotlight in 2023, making your resume stand out is becoming more difficult. In a 2023 survey, 78% of job seekers who used AI during their search landed an interview, and 59% got hired. As these advances creep into our office and job search, how important is your resume? That’s what Uriel in Pennsylvania wants answers to these questions three from the WorkInSports Podcast: “Hi Brian, I am starting my junior year of college,...
Published 08/30/23
While ‘Deflategate’ put the Patriots’ equipment staff under a microscope the profession tends to avoid, this overlooked aspect of football is of utmost importance to teams. An NFL team’s equipment staff has numerous responsibilities, such as inflating footballs (properly), repairing and ordering equipment for the full roster, storing and cleaning jerseys, and packing/setting up gear on road trips. Along with a roster of 53 players and the coaching and support staff, equipment managers also...
Published 08/23/23
College is full of opportunities to form lasting memories and build the foundation of a fruitful career in the sports industry. Students have endless chances to create social bonds in all sorts of settings, but keeping your eye on why you are pursuing a degree in the first place is also important. Today's question for the WorkInSports Podcast comes from Jasmine, who is looking for strategies for launching her career after she graduates: "Hey Brian – I'm headed into my junior year of college,...
Published 08/16/23
Despite the likelihood that you or your peers have claimed to be expert multitaskers, almost no one can multitask effectively. If you work in the sports industry, you WILL be asked to juggle many projects simultaneously, and managing time effectively will determine whether your career prospects sink or swim. Today's question for the WorkInSports Podcast comes from Justin in Atlanta, who wants to know how he can build his time management skills into an asset in his career: "Hey Brian – I'm...
Published 08/02/23
While sports brands are ubiquitous on all social media platforms and snark is popular with many well-known company feeds, that wasn’t always the case. During their 2012 surprise Stanley Cup championship run, the Los Angeles Kings made waves with their Twitter account. They pushed the envelope and established a unique voice that drew humongous engagement from their fan base and opposing fans. Over a decade later, the Vegas Golden Knights refined that approach during their 2023 Stanley Cup...
Published 07/26/23
When VP of Content and Engaged Learning Brian Clapp speaks with recruiters in the sports industry, they say without hesitation that partnership sales jobs are the hardest to fill. With TV contracts providing a dependable income stream and ticket sales having a built-in cap of seating capacity, corporate partnerships represent a spot to continue growing revenue within professional and college sports. Previous WorkInSports Podcast guests making their name in this area include the Pittsburgh...
Published 07/19/23
Sports management programs have grown at colleges across the country. According to Georgetown University, sports management occupations are projected to grow 7% through 2029. While sports management degrees are commonplace now, not every university offers one. WorkInSports Podcast listener Joyce goes to one of those colleges and is looking for advice on how to break into sports without a sports management degree: The sports industry has numerous roles within it. For example, say you want to...
Published 07/13/23
There are many benefits to working in minor league sports. The WorkInSports Podcast chats with Zack Raab about possible career paths in the minors. One of the most effective ways to set yourself up for a long career in the sports industry is by gaining the right experience as soon as possible. While internships are a great way to get your feet wet in the business, how do you find your fit in sports? One area that can help you narrow your focus is minor league sports. One of the many benefits...
Published 06/28/23