June 12, 2013) It is said that success is when preparation meets opportunity. That is certainly the case for John Peterson. An STAA client, Peterson has accepted a job as the play-by-play broadcaster for the Austin (MN) Bruins of the NAHL.
In addition to broadcasting all 60 of the Bruins’ regular season games, plus playoffs, Peterson will write game recaps and update the team’s social media. It was a stroke of good fortune that led him to the opportunity.
“The broadcaster who held the job for three years before me took a similar broadcasting/media relations position with an expansion team in the same league,” says Peterson. “He was in charge of finding his own replacement and a friend of mine – fellow STAA client Steve Pesek — informed me of the opening.”
The job is the next step towards Peterson’s goal of one day broadcasting in the NHL. “My passion is hockey, and with the Bruins, I’ll be able to call games in a talent-rich, growing league. Additionally, I’ll be working with great people in Austin who have said they’ll help me gain exposure within the hockey media community at the junior and college levels.”
Peterson suggests other sportscasting job seekers keep their eyes open and be prepared. “Last summer, there were seemingly more job openings, especially in hockey, than there have been so far this year. I made looking for the next opportunity almost a full-time job in itself last summer but struck out. This summer, the Austin Bruins job essentially fell into my lap, and I credit that to being prepared. I spent much of the spring updating my resume and demos so that if a potential employer saw it, they might be intrigued enough to give me a call, even if I hadn’t yet applied.”
Peterson’s preparation and attention to detail in creating a variety of demos paid off handsomely. “I directed both the former Bruins’ broadcaster and the team’s owner to my page and they had high praise. It was rewarding hearing that, given how hard I worked to make my STAA Talent Page as presentable as I could. What really made the application process easier was absorbing all the helpful hints from the monthly [STAA] eBlasts and simply asking for advice via email.
“I’m looking forward to the upcoming season in Austin, starting in September, and I’m grateful to have the support and resources to succeed that STAA provides.”
(Visit John’s STAA Talent Page).