Last summer APSE president Gerry Ahern called on every member of APSE to recruit and sponsor one college student as a member of our organization.
For a $25 fee, students gain access to the minds and events that will shape the future of sports journalism. Ahern also asked sponsoring editors to help help mentor the student as they prepare to enter the profession.
To sponsor a student member, go to http://apsportseditors.org/registration/
Several APSE members have answered the call. To recognize them and the new members they've brought into our organization, we'll be posting bios of the first wave of student members.
Today, meet a Penn State Erie senior sponsored by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sports editor Jerry Micco.
Name: Brandon Boyd
College status: Senior at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Graduating in May 2013.
Sponsoring member: Jerry Micco, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Experience: Sports intern at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for one summer. News intern with the Erie Times-News for two summers. Managing editor at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College's newspaper, The Behrend Beacon. Covered events like the NFL Draft, NHL Draft, and Steelers training camp.
How did you become interested in sports journalism? "I think like a lot of people who start in the industry, sports journalism combines the two things I love most — sports and writing. I job shadowed Duane Rankin, then with the Erie Times-News, at a Cleveland Cavaliers playoff game and Jon Saraceno, with the USA Today, at a Buffalo Bills game. Learning from those two confirmed my interest in sports writing."
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned? "I keep my head down and work hard, but I also have fun when I can. I think I've learned that while you need to stay focused and tough, you have to be willing to laugh things off or let things go and just enjoy what you're doing. There are a lot of people who aren't able to find jobs in this industry, so I try to make the most of my opportunities when I have them."
Dream job? "I would love to be a beat writer covering an NFL team or working for an NFL team in some capacity. I would also enjoy working on covering the NBA, MLB, or several collegiate sports."
Interests/hobbies/activities: "Playing football and basketball with friends. Playing Madden on XBOX 360. Traveling and trying new things. Attending sports events."
Brandon’s work appears on: goerie.com, post-gazette.com, thebehrendbeacon.com
Follow Brandon on Twitter @brandonmboyd
