This conversation follows Brandon Estrada, corporate hospitality account manager for the Anaheim Ducks, as he walks through his path from student-athlete to corporate sports sales. He shares how organization, informational interviews, and a willingness to take a risk helped him move from the corporate world into hockey.  We discuss balancing college athletics and internships, the shift from business into sports, and why being a good person matters as much as being good at sales in this industry. He balanced athletics, classes, internships, and jobs every summer.  His biggest tool was organization, including planning his whole week on paper

He believes being good at your job matters, but being a good person matters just as much

In sports, people remember how you treat them. He shared that a memorable part of his job is seeing families return as repeat customers after attending a game.  Some of his keys are:

·      Do informational interviews

·      Research teams and cities before applying

·      Build genuine relationships because you never know where opportunities will come from

·      Stay open to unexpected paths, even if your major or first job is not directly sports related

My First Job in Sports is Presented by SBRnet. Everyone's Career Starts Somewhere.

What if the fastest way into sports partnerships is not chasing a dream job, but learning how to make yourself impossible to ignore? Houston Texans partnership development manager Isaiah Fung breaks down the real path from Temple student to NFL dealmaker, and it starts long before the first full-time offer. 

Neil Schwartz and Dr. Ashley Gardner sit down with Isaiah Phuong for a conversation that connects the classroom to the front office. Isaiah shares how growing up in Houston shaped his love for the Rockets, Astros, and Texans, why Temple University became the launchpad for his career, and how a single internship turned into a full-time path through Vanderbilt, the Florida Panthers, and back home to Houston. 

You'll discover: 

• Why Isaiah chose partnerships early, even when he had no clear roadmap 
• How he used cold email, follow-up, and relationship-building to get on the radar of industry leaders 
• What Temple's alumni network and sports business pipeline can really do when you know how to use it 
• The three traits he says matter most in sports business: work hungry, remain humble, stay coachable 
• Why public speaking, research, and understanding revenue are essential if you want to work in partnerships 

My First Job in Sports is Presented by SBRnet. Everyone's Career Starts Somewhere.

For Episode 48 of My First Job in Sports, Dr. G. and I spoke with J.J. Zykan, Senior Content Strategist for the Colorado Avalanche. Now in her fifth season with the team, J.J. helps lead social media strategy and develops campaigns across the Avalanche’s platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, X, and more.

 We interviewed J.J. on the afternoon before Game 4 of the NHL Western Conference Final. She shared how authentic player stories and natural, fun moments keep fans engaged, win or lose. Fans want authenticity and behind-the-scenes access, not just highlight clips. Her advice: read the room, stay confident in your team, and keep content relatable—even after a tough loss. It’s a strong reminder that while sports fans are emotional, they respond to honesty, passion, and storytelling that feels real.

My First Job in Sports is Presented by SBRnet. Everyone's Career Starts Somewhere.

In our recent conversation, Dr. G and I the pleasure of speaking with Radha Balani, or RB as she is better known.  She is a passionate advocate for leveraging sports to address social issues. As the founder of Think Beyond, RB specializes in purpose-driven programming, emphasizing the intersection of sports and corporate social responsibility. This post explores her insights and experiences, providing valuable lessons for anyone interested in the role of sports in creating positive change.  RB believes that sports possess unique inherent values that can profoundly impact individuals and communities. RB is an ideal example of how sports can be used to improve lives and the greater good at the same time.  

My First Job in Sports is Presented by SBRnet. Everyone's Career Starts Somewhere.

Ever wondered how to thrive in sports without a traditional path? 🏀

Jenae Rogers, Corporate Partnerships Coordinator for the Memphis Grizzlies, shares her journey from a dance-loving kid to a sports professional. Her story is all about saying "yes" to new opportunities and pivoting towards what you love.

How to Launch Your Career in Sports: Insights from Jenae Rogers

My First Job in Sports is Presented by SBRnet. Everyone's Career Starts Somewhere.

In this engaging interview, Maurice Manswell shares his entrepreneurial journey from sports to gaming, highlighting the importance of storytelling, networking, and leveraging technology like AI. Discover how Maurice built Varsity Grips from a simple idea to a product with over 60 university licenses, and gain insights into the skills needed for young entrepreneurs today.

My First Job in Sports is Presented by SBRnet. Everyone's Career Starts Somewhere.

For Episode 44 of My First Job in Sports, Dr. G and I sit down with Alina Leontarakis, a powerhouse in the world of racquet sports. With a deep background in sports media and event logistics, Alina shares insights from her time at The Dink, a premier pickleball media outlet. We also dive into her experience as the Director of Events for the Amateur Pickleball Association, where she managed nationwide tournaments and spearheaded complex on-site operations.

My First Job in Sports is Presented by SBRnet. Everyone's Career Starts Somewhere.

For our Welcome to Season 4 of My First Job in Sports, Dr. G. and I interview Cate DeProfio.  During this episode, Cate stresses the value of getting the right internship and how they all provided a great pathway to her first job in sports.   

My First Job in Sports is Presented by SBRnet. Everyone's Career Starts Somewhere.

For Episode 42 of My First Job in Sports, we talked with Emily Montenegro from the United States Golf Association (USGA). The USGA is the national governing body for golf and the organization behind the U.S. Open and many other events. We met Emily at the Get in the Game Sports Business Career event in Baltimore. Emily is a great example for students, showing how they can secure a role in an industry that might not have been their initial goal. Although Emily is new to HR in the golf industry, she has used her previous experience to help her succeed in her current role. The USGA is adopting a new approach to filling various internship roles across golf. She also demonstrates that you don’t need to love or even be familiar with a sport to gain valuable experience and start your career on the right track. Emily offers plenty of advice for students entering the workforce. This is an episode you won't want to miss. 

My First Job in Sports is Presented by SBRnet. Everyone's Career Starts Somewhere.

For Episode 41 of My First Job in Sports, Dr. G. and Neil veered off course a bit and spoke with Professor Lauren Bullock from Temple University, School of Communications. This episode is the first after the 2025 edition of the Get in the Game Sports Business Career Conference. Professor Bullock is the driving force behind the sports communication major within the larger School of Communications at Temple University. She discusses extensively the multitude of opportunities available in sports communications and how students can best prepare themselves for one of these positions.  

My First Job in Sports is Presented by SBRnet. Everyone's Career Starts Somewhere.