An aging pro athlete once said, “Now that I’m old enough to know everything, I’m too old to use it.” Here are some things I have learned over the years that younger readers might still be able to use:
- You don’t know what you don’t know.
- Networking is the fastest way to build a career.
- Be clear about which team has the ball on a play-by-play broadcast.
- Good play-by-play is a story, not a narrative.
- The same people you meet on the way up are the same ones you’ll see on the way down.
- Employers notice attention to detail.
- Team players generally go farther, faster.
- What’s good for my station is also good for me.
- Landing a full-time radio sportscasting job in a major market is HARD.
- Play-by-play is largely a part-time industry.
- Entry-level sportscasting jobs really DO pay as little as my mentors had warned me.
- I thought I knew everything, but I really knew nothing.
- Programming small market stations is vastly different than programming in large markets.
- Hot chicks weren’t attracted to my $18,000 a year salary.
- Being Howard Stern in McPherson, KS ticks off the local listeners.
- Winning in the job market requires following up your applications.
- Talent alone is not enough for making it to sports broadcasting’s big time.
- You’ll forget the frustrations of your first job and one day remember only the great stuff!
What do you wish you’d known at 22? Please leave your answer in the comments section below.
