(January 20, 2012) How do you go about deciding between three different job offers? STAA client Jared Sandler has the answer – seek good counsel and be thoroughly informed. Armed with the advice of his mentors, Sandler has accepted a Program Director and Broadcasting position with ESPN 100.9 in Midland, MI and minor league baseball’s Great Lakes Loons.
In addition to the PD chores at the station, Sandler will host a daily sports talk show, broadcast football and basketball play-by-play, and serve as the Loons No. 2 broadcaster while assisting with media relations.
The Loons are the Class-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The unique opportunity to work for both a baseball team and a radio station was one of three offers that Sandler was considering. Sandler made sure not to rush the decision.
“I talked to my mentors in the industry, including [STAA CEO Jon Chelesnik], my father and my brothers. They made sure I was asking myself the right questions,” Sandler says.
“It was also a lot of time on the phone spent with each person that was offering each opportunity. I wanted to be sure I had all the information I could get to make the right decision. It was probably the most difficult decision I have had to make in my life.”
The tipping factor in favor of ESPN and the Loons was the variety in experience the position offered.
“On top of the six months of baseball, it’s the six months outside of baseball that really sold me – the unique opportunity to host a radio show and to broadcast basketball and football without having to worry about trying to find those opportunities during the summer. At the same time, getting to serve as the program director and getting to learn the industry from the administrative side is really intriguing.”
Sandler spent last summer calling play-by-play in the Pioneer League with the Great Falls Voyagers, after graduating from USC in May. College experience as the Sports Director at KXSC, plus part-time work at ESPN 710 in Los Angeles and a summer with the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers gives Sandler an excellent background to draw on for his new job.
With all the travel between summer jobs and college, Sandler, a Dallas native, is looking forward to settling in to a single location.
“This is the first time I’m moving somewhere [permanently] as opposed to being a rent-a-person. I am now making a commitment to move to a different city. I’m excited to start a life there and be involved in the community.”
Sandler appreciates convenience and credibility of his STAA Talent Page, but feels there is an even higher value in his relationship with STAA’s CEO.
“Candidly, the most beneficial part of [STAA] is the relationship I’ve developed with Jon Chelesnik and the mentorship and guidance he has provided. I always feel he is fair and I always feel I am the most important client he has even though I know he considers us all equal. His advice is never that you have to make a decision one way or the other. Instead, he gives his opinions, which I respect highly. That’s been the biggest benefit of all.”
(Visit Jared’s STAA Talent Page).