"Dualing" Careers

I was one of the lucky off-schedule graduates at Hood, with a graduation date of January 2010. This allowed me to plan out my next move before walking at graduation in May. By August, I was starting my masters in Sports Industry Management at Georgetown University. This whirlwind two-semester program provided the opportunity to learn about the business of sports, make connections in the industry and take part in internships with the Harlem Globetrotters and the Washington Nationals. 
 

After graduation, I was finishing up my internship with the Nationals when a colleague mentioned an opportunity with the (then) Washington Redskins, and I got accepted to help the Public Relations Staff on game days. Fourteen seasons later, I’m now managing the Press Box for the Public Relations staff and helping coordinate roughly 10 interns on game days. My growth can be attributed to my writing and editing skills, which Hood taught me, and my willingness to foster relationships and take on tasks that others believe are below them.
 

After Georgetown, I had a long, arduous search and finally accepted a job at the American Society of Civil Engineers as a Conference Coordinator. Some might think these two tracks aren’t related, but every game day is an event – just like every conference. After two years at ASCE, I entered the government sector as a Meeting Coordinator with Leidos on a contract with the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) directorate under the United States Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC). 
 

I supported USAMRDC for 10 years in multiple positions. In November 2023, I started a civilian position directly supporting the Defense Health Agency, where I manage the service contract review program across the entire Agency.

Donna Bertazzoni was my advisor at Hood and I still follow her to this day, so I would say she had the biggest impact on me during my time as a student at Hood. During my time at Georgetown, I actually got involved in the Sports Information department at Hood through Adrienne Mullikin (former Sports Information Director), which played a huge part in my sports career track.

One piece of advice would be too difficult – here’s a few:

Every connection you make -- foster it. You never know what the connection might mean down the line. 

Build your writing and editing skills – no matter what your industry is, every job will appreciate you more if you can communicate through written word. 

If you want something – work for it. Every step toward the goal is meaningful, and there is never a task beneath you. 

PAY IT FORWARD. Always turn around and help the up-and-coming person behind you. I promise you’ll never regret it.
 

My off-season is typically January through the end of July, and during this time I tend to try to focus on my love of travel. The football season makes it difficult to travel because of being at games multiple Sundays a month. Aside from that, I focus on my government job, keep in touch with my interns, put them in touch with any contacts I have in the industry and write any sort of recommendation letters they request. I try to make myself as available as possible to each intern, whether they are recent or from multiple seasons ago.