Back in the Game.
(F)unemployment is great, but...
I’m returning to what I enjoy! I spent the first week after leaving West Virginia chilling—like, wake up at 9am, send memes to friends (don’t ask about these, I’m not sharing), eat, maybe get some physical activity in, enjoy beer(s), and just live a little with no pressing responsibilities.
The second week was all about the job interviews. I met and experienced strong newsrooms with great personnel in them, and started myself back on the path of determining who and what I wanted to be. Upon returning home, I felt rejuvenated, which is nice—I’d spent nearly five years in pretty much constant motion between graduate school and immediately hopping between two jobs.
I took a leap of faith.
It’s not like I left my last job in the middle of unfinished business—but I stepped out of a place of security, believing and knowing I’d find solid ground; to that end, I’ve succeeded. This is not an easy thing to do, but it is for sure made less taxing thanks to being a young, single male without any life circumstances (legal/financial/etc) to hold me back.
The follow-through on this kind of decision is not always easy to make, primarily because your conviction will be tested. It’s bewildering to watch someone leave a sure thing to chase something better (the irony is that it’s almost always worth doing), so your motive will always be questioned.
For example, the common theme in conversations I had leading up to walking away from WOWK, and in interviews, was the risk I was taking in leaving in the first place. A selection of things I can recall:
“It’s easier to get a job if you have a job already.”
“It’s harder for men to find jobs in sports broadcasting these days, because everyone wants to hire women.” (Note: there’s nothing wrong with this, and I’d hardly consider it a problem—if anything, it means chase excellence and you’ll find the right thing.)
“What will you do with no job?”
“You really must believe in yourself to take this step.” (Note: I really do. I’m a proud man.)
“You really think you’re already large TV market material?”
There’s a difference between a leap of faith and just hoping for something better. I’m no fool (in this regard), and impostor syndrome is real enough to give me the heat check I need. The psychology of reaching for your goals is fascinating; navigating the mind is an important component of a healthy life. Knowing myself, my capabilities, and carrying healthy optimism for the future was totally worth it. Beside that, I know of only two reasons an outside party might introduce doubt:
1) You may encounter doubt from someone whose own self-limiting beliefs are so crippling that they choose to project them onto the ambitious.
2) You may encounter doubt from someone who is certain of your ability, but hopes something (primarily your confidence level) will hold you back for their benefit—which is a totally normal corporate thing to do, so don’t sweat this.
Either way, I believe we make our own luck. The only one capable of holding me back is me, and I have long chats with myself weekly to be sure everything is in order (and that I’m not getting in my own way).
I’m ready to get back into action.
“When you know, you know.” The last three years taught me to trust my instincts, and that not trusting them can lead to circumstances ranging from gravely annoying to life-altering. While each destination I visited was a positive experience, one in particular felt like home…for a number of very good reasons.
First, it’s because I’ve seen this place before. I’m a city boy at heart, and this one resonated with me from the moment I arrived for the first time, and never felt any less compatible with me over time. Quite literally—when my flight landed, it felt like I had never left. It’s clean, vibrant, and full of life. It’s easy to feel happy here.
Second—and this one is perhaps most important—it’s because the staff went beyond making me feel welcome. They stressed the family environment and, let me tell you, it’s an overwhelmingly positive sensation.
It feels right.
I’m joining CBS’ WCCO in Minneapolis, Minnesota to serve as their Weekend Sports Anchor. It’s a city I already love, with future coworkers who did their best within 8 hours to make me feel like I belong with them, and with so many professionals already in the city from whom I can continue to learn. My professional story just keeps bringing me back to the land of ten thousand lakes—and I’m delighted.
WCCO
Minneapolis, MN
Here’s the timeline:
Summer 2013: Graduate from Ole Miss
Summer 2013: Intern in Louisville, KY (with WLKY)
Summer 2013: Begin Master’s Program at Syracuse University
Winter 2013: Intern in Louisville, KY (with WLKY)
Summer 2014: Intern in Minneapolis, MN (with KARE)
Fall/Winter 2014: Intern in Syracuse, NY (with WSYR)
Winter 2014: Graduate from Syracuse University
Winter 2014: Begin career in Duluth, MN (with KBJR/KDLH)
Spring 2016: Continue career in Charleston, WV (with WOWK)
Summer 2019: Return to Minneapolis, MN (with WCCO)
I’m elated to get back to the Twin Cities, and to Minnesota as a whole. Having made friends in Duluth, some of whom have relocated to MSP, and with so much life to live in the area, I’m looking forward to enjoying life just a little bit more (like I said, I’m a city boy).
Professionally, I’ll be pushed harder than ever. I like it that way—I’ve always been the type to bite off so much that I might be unable to chew… but have yet to choke on my aspirations.
I’m truthfully in awe to have found such a great fit, and I look forward to giving all I have in service to great storytelling, community immersion, and giving back. After everything I’ve learned in my collegiate and post-graduate years, Minnesota gave birth to the professional in me—I intend to do all I can to offset that debt. I’m truly overjoyed, humbled, and determined.
Thanks for following along. This ride’s getting a lot more exciting. The one thing I do know about life is that the more you know, the more you realize you don’t know. There’s always room for growth and improvement; although I think great strides have been made, there are still many more important steps to take.