Wednesday, January 29, 2014

How Caitlin Crawford Got The Chance Of A Lifetime To Work With The Dallas Cowboys

By Judy Sullivan


University of Oklahoma graduate and Dallas native Caitlin Crawford got the internship opportunity of her dreams when she was chosen for the chance to work with the media department of the Dallas Cowboys. She was a longtime fan of this football team and was excited to be a part of it all and put the skills she had learned in the broadcast and electronic media program, which she graduated from in 2013, to good use.

In order to grab the attention of those in charge of choosing interns, Caitlin realized that it was important to show them just what she was capable of, that would set her apart from the rest, so she submitted her best produced articles and they were impressed. She was given a phone interview, and the rest is history.

Her advice to others who also hope to get a chance like she did, is to first of all work at gradually becoming more at ease in front of the camera, an essential skill in this field. Excellent written communication skills are also a must, such as those demonstrated by Crawford in her well-written sports articles. Technical know-how when it comes to producing quality video work is another key quality applicants need to possess.

Crawford was happy to get the opportunity to put some of her acquired technical knowledge to practical use while on her internship besides having the chance to become more comfortable in front of the camera, she also got to apply her skills with editing software and applications and was thrilled when they relied on her to operate a new playback system which no one else was familiar with except her.

Prior to beginning her work with the Dallas Cowboys media department, Caitlin realized the importance of doing some research about many aspects of the team including its scores, staff, and players. She was able to serve as an intern for two summers when school was not in session, and was even asked to collaborate on productions during other times of the year.

Her typical work day as an intern would vary. When interviewing players, she needed to do some careful scheduling since it was the off-season and they may be available at random times. She was involved in the production and coverage of televised programs during the training camp, and had to come up with some quality scripts and ideas for features based on each day's events.

The skills Crawford considers as most important to an organization like the Dallas Cowboys are first of all being punctual and not having a problem with working overtime. Persistence, dedication, and learning from one's mistakes are also valued. A strong work ethic is also looked upon favorably, which is shown in one being a self-starter, doing careful research, and being an "ideas person".

Caitlin Crawford gained valuable hands-on experience during her time with the Dallas Cowboys, and now has some impressive credentials to add to her resume along with the substantial amount of work she has done with the newscasting department at her school. Now a recent graduate, she intends to pursue a rewarding career in sport broadcast journalism with either a news station or sports organization in the near future.




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