(December 8, 2012) When you’re just starting out in the sportscasting industry, it is best to go where the jobs are – even if it’s a small station in a town nobody has heard of. Fortunately for STAA client John Skudris, his first career break is going to happen right in his own back yard. Skudris has been hired as a Broadcasting Intern for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
The IronPigs are the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.
“With my experience limited to collegiate, non-commercial broadcasting, I was finding it hard to get my foot in the door when it comes to on-air positions with major stations,” Skudris explains. “Any job opportunity that showed interest were smaller gigs in smaller towns miles-and-miles away. At this point in my life, with student loans and a paltry savings account, it was tough to envision myself succeeding in such an endeavor. Therefore, when I found out about the Iron Pigs job, and the fact that I could live at home and still get the ball rolling on my dreams, I was hooked.”
An alumnus of Boston College, Skudris worked at the school station, WZBC, where he was a play-by-play broadcaster for hockey, football, men’s basketball, and baseball.
“This job came about when I received an STAA job opening email in November about an internship opportunity with the Iron Pigs. Being from the eastern Pennsylvania area, I was already familiar with the team and their parent affiliate, the Philadelphia Phillies. I was therefore able to write a thorough and commanding cover letter that highlighted not only my passion for the sport, but also my knowledge of the team and it’s history.”
Skudris uses the time saved with his STAA Talent Page demo and resume to improve on other portions of his job applications.
“The STAA application process is so much easier. Really, it allows you to focus on a strong and commanding cover letter instead of spending an hour filling out employment history information.”
“Again, thank you to STAA for helping me get my foot in the door with the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.”
(Visit John’s STAA Talent Page).