A small change in job market strategy is leading to big results for Dominic Miranda. He is joining WCTV in Tallahassee, FL as a sports anchor/MMJ.
“Having the opportunity to report on Florida State is amazing, but there is so much more going on there,” Miranda effuses. “There’s the opportunity to tell the stories of so many athletes and teams that this was truly a can’t miss opportunity.”
Miranda gradated from DePauw University in Indiana in 2019. A month later, he joined WTHI TV in Terre Haute. He loved his time there and is grateful for it. Eventually, though his duties started trending more towards news than sports, especially during the pandemic. Miranda recalls, “A news anchor at WTHI who I really respected always said of me, ‘When you do news, it’s like writing with your left hand. When you do sports, it’s natural, it’s easy, it’s without thought.'”
Miranda decided it was time to look for the next step in his career.
Hitting the job market
The Indiana native initially confined his job search to Big Ten Conference country. “I’m a Hoosier through and through. My family, my girlfriend, my friends, and my network are all in the Midwest. I would be silly not to want a job somewhere up here,” he says. He later chuckles, “This is not a great tactic.” To his credit, Miranda came close on several jobs.
“A couple in Madison, Wisconsin. One in Toledo, Ohio. One in Indianapolis. And one in Green Bay, Wisconsin. All of which I found out about through STAA,” he says.
WTHI eventually told Miranda he was being moved to the weekend evening news anchor position. He was flattered but not enthusiastic. The move prompted a major change in his job market strategy. “It motivated me to expand my search,” he recalls. “At the end of the day, I was doing myself a disservice by limiting the location in which I could land a sports job. Not two weeks after that, the Tallahassee job at WCTV came through.
“It just goes to show that the right opportunity is out there if you don’t limit yourself. When things come about as easy, simple, and fast as this job did–that means they are meant to be.”
Getting uncomfortable
Moving to Florida is taking Miranda out of his comfort zone. That’s part of the reason he’s doing it. “People grow the most when they are placed outside of their comfort zone,” he says. “Everyone should experience being ‘alone’. That’s where you experience the most growth as a person. It will be hard at times, no doubt, but it will make me better.”
When Miranda is asked why he remains an STAA member two years and two jobs after joining, he smiles. “Where to begin?” he wonders. “The job leads are outstanding. You get them before anyone else. It’s huge. But knowing what to do with those job leads is the most important thing. The help and guidance that STAA provides is invaluable. Job market help, demo reel help, networking help, and encouragement. That stuff cannot be understated. STAA is undeniably the best investment I’ve ever made. I am incredibly thankful for Jon and the STAA team for doing what they do. Jon is incredibly supportive and personable. I would encourage anyone to truly, truly take advantage of what they have to offer. It’s an incredible help.”
Miranda’s advice to other sportscasting job seekers is simple, “Always bet on yourself. You can do this. You have the tools around you to make this career happen. Just keep grinding, be humble, and never lose faith in yourself. Hard workers and good people always, always, always find a job.”
Just like Miranda has in Tallahassee.
“I know the people at WCTV will help me succeed, and that will place me in an outstanding position to take the NEXT step 3 years down the road. I love the Hoosier state, and I will miss it, but this was too good of an opportunity to pass up.”