灯光，相机，开始! From Promotions Team Member to Camera Operator with the NJ Devils

迈克尔·J. 狐狸 ‘2020 graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Television and Digital Media with a concentration in Production.

“I had a few cousins that also went to Montclair and went in the same career path and figured that would be the best course of action. 作为一个电视专业的学生, I learned the ins and outs of control room procedures and got a basic understanding of where/ if I got an entry-level job.”

He is currently a Camera Operator for the New Jersey Devils and New York Red Bulls, working for StatCast 3D for Major League Baseball accompanied by remotely running commercials with Edgio for ESPN+.

When deciding to become part of the promotions team with the NJ Devils, 在2018年的春天, 他选的是俄语I. “I met this guy who was wearing Devil’s Promo team gear and got to know him. He helped me get a job with them the following season where I worked that position for two years.” He later transitioned out of that position into his current position. “During my two years, I was the first one in and the last one out. I worked very hard to stand out.” He states, “Sports is a very hard industry to move up in unless you have a connection.”

他一毕业, he began to express interest in the “Rockyvision” department at The Prudential Center, where they cover the in-house broadcast for the NJ Devils, 霍尔, 还有其他事件. Once he noticed that things with COVID began to lighten up, he finally got an interview and has been working there since July 2021.

“The best part about my job is being able to do multiple positions for different game days. 有时我做相机, and the best part of that is filming the fans and getting them up on the video board.在其他日子里, he is controlling the ice projections or doing engineering work, where you really get to see what the setup of a television broadcast is like. 他也很享受这份薪水.

As a student during the pandemic, there were some challenges he faced, “The biggest challenge is just getting your name out there. Television is a competitive field and there are not really any job postings for most of the positions available. It is more of who you know type of world. Standing out is the best way to secure a job if you lack those connections.”

But luckily, the 艺术学院 职业服务 Department was able to help. During his senior year in 2019-2020, he started working with a tour company doing a live broadcast across the country every week. 狐狸 was able to get credits for his work that went into the degree. “Victoria was very helpful and understanding, I still see her at 霍尔 games today and get her on the jumbotron!”

Once graduated, landing the first few internships was difficult. There were no sports, no real positions available, making him question his life decisions. “I started working at a liquor store and a power washing company to make ends meet. I researched every type of broadcast happening in the state of New Jersey, and found that horse racing was the only event still happening.“很快, he emailed their PR department and eventually found himself filming at the Meadowlands Racetrack. After that, things began to click very fast as the sports world was coming back. His previous boss within the Promotions Teams helped him secure his current position with the Devils.

As he looks back at his college career, his advice for current students: “The simple answer is to work hard and stand out. 应用 for an internship even if you do not think you will land it. 总会有东西撞到你的. If someone is looking to work in the sports industry, make connections now. The best thing I did in my college career was to join Greek Life where I made connections through past alumni to help me get some of the jobs I have today. Networking is very important in this field to get gigs.”

Gabriela Zamora写的