The destination waits, still and unchanging, but the journey is a winding vine alive, untamed, and reaching in any direction it pleases. In 2018, I gave myself an ultimatum: one year to get a full-time job working for a pro sports team or walk away from sports entirely. In 2019, tens of thousands of applicants applied for jobs at the Atlanta Hawks. Each position was coveted, and at stake that year was a marketing position. For me, it represented a dream a dream job to start my dream adult life.The competition came from all over the country they were skilled and well-connected, like one candidate who was the godson of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. What would be my advantage? I wondered. In 2018, I began doing research and developed a framework for how I could land a full-time job in sports. It started with networking, where I quickly learned there are tiers to marketing. I chose digital marketing because I love creating online content that connects with people’s feelings and motivates them to act much like how the Air Jordan XII commercial inspired my love for both sneakers and marketing.
Weeks before my interview, I was balancing retail operations while preparing. During the 2018-2019 season, I had been working in the Hawks' retail store, where I learned the importance of analytical thinking. I discovered that metrics were the key KPIs for both the Hawks and the NBA. In retail, our main metrics had to be pulled from various databases a process complicated by frequent changes due to growing pain points. Through networking, I learned that marketing faced similar challenges, like managing jerseys for their Jr. Hawks program without an efficient system. So, I built one. Using Excel and macro coding, I created a database from scratch and prepared it to showcase during my interview. When I finished, I remember thinking, “I’m a genius. Let’s go I’m ready for anything.” Walking into that room, I wasn’t nervous I was locked in. I went to Iowa, where I was a high jumper, and before every big meet, my only focus was clearing the first bar. If I could nail that, I knew I was set for a good day. For the interview, my first bar was my intro. I slowed my pace, delivered it clearly, and completed it with confidence. From there, I worked to connect with each interviewer, tailoring my answers to their specific needs. In my preparation, I had studied project management and the PMP certification, learning to back up explanations with stories. My story showcased how I developed tools, techniques, and a relentless work ethic to deliver results paired perfectly with the visual of the database I had created.
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