Breaking Into Sports Media Production: What Hiring Managers Actually Look For

Ryan Sampson shares his journey from multimedia production student to Executive Producer of Digital Media at the New York Post. Episode Snapshot:Ryan also reveals how he navigated the challenging world of sports broadcasting and ultimately built a sustainable career and found a better work-life balance. As an experience EP, Ryan also gives advice on career paths in media production, on attitude and your ability to edit content in the digital age. He also drops a few bombs offering interview and hiring advice like only a native New Yorker can! Heeeeyy!What You’ll Learn:Started at Ashland University with no clear career path before discovering a passion for media productionPursued graduate studies at Elon University, producing a documentary in Guatemala as his master's projectSecured coveted position at ESPN through networking and persistenceWorked grueling hours (5pm-3am) at ESPN cutting highlights, operating the teleprompter, and logging footageCreated his own role as a breakdown producer for NFL talent, including Randy Moss and Matt HasselbeckLeft ESPN after seven years due to limited advancement opportunities and work-life balance concernsJoined the New York Post and helped it transform from a traditional newspaper into a digital media companyNow leads teams developing original video content, podcasts, and digital strategyEmphasizes editing skills as non-negotiable for anyone entering media production todayValues initiative, pitching ideas, and willingness to learn in potential hiresAbout This Guest:Ryan Sampson is the Executive Producer for Sports at the New York Post, where he leads teams producing original video content and digital sports storytelling. Before joining the Post, Ryan spent seven years at ESPN, including work on NFL Countdown, where he cut highlights, supported on-air talent, and helped shape weekly football coverage. He studied journalism and digital media at Ashland University and digital and interactive media at Elon University, and brings a strong hiring-manager perspective on what skills actually matter for aspiring media producers.Pro Tip: "If you can't edit in this current modern-day digital world that we live in, because everyone needs to be an editor, you have no chance of working in this business."  -Ryan Sampson, Executive Producer of Multimedia, NYPostGuest BonafidesWebsite: NYPost SportsIG: NYPostFB: NYPostX/Twitter: NYPostEXPLORE MORE:Check out our other great ZWOF podcast Episodes!Grab my new Mastering Composition eBook!Link and follow for more great #learnphotography content:IG: @tvcommandomedia | FB @ZoomWithOurFeet