SPORTS SERIES – This April, we’re casting a spotlight on T. Howard Foundation (THF) alumni who are working and/or pursuing careers in Sports. Each week we will highlight an alumnus who will share their experience(s) working in the industry, how they got started and advice for others interested in pursuing a career in sports.
Brandon Morales (THF ’17)
Please describe your career aspirations and how you are working to fulfill them.
My desire to support sports for the enjoyment of other people is what led me to pursue a career in the sports industry. I have been fortunate to achieve this through different areas that range from operations within sports broadcasting to ticket sales for Major League Soccer. While the specific responsibilities have been different, the importance of each position allowed me to fulfill this inner motivation through my work. My current career aspirations focus on growing as a sports industry professional to eventually have a significant role for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in which the United States will be a host country.
In what way did this type of work interest you and how did you get started?
I grew up playing soccer and following it on TV, which made me develop an appreciation for sports as an activity and a form of entertainment. Both aspects create positive life experiences for people and encouraged me to major in sports management to become involved in relevant work. I started by volunteering for any sports events that I could find and then focused on obtaining a first internship. I ended up with an internship outside of sports, but it was a valuable first professional experience that helped me attain an internship with NBC Sports afterwards.
How has your affiliation with the T. Howard Foundation influenced your career?
The T. Howard Foundation gave me the opportunity to intern for one of my dream companies and prepared me beforehand on how to make the most of it. During the summer intern orientation, it was great to be surrounded by so many other driven individuals and a sense of community that expressed, “We’re all in this together.” It inspired me to go into my internship with the confidence to push myself outside of my comfort zone and the determination to succeed. I have learned to maintain this same mentality in all my work experiences since my internship.
What professional journals, publications, podcasts and/or organizations should someone interested in this type of work be aware of?
I recommend subscribing to a free email newsletter called Cynopsis Sports, which provides a summary of sports business news every weekday morning. It has an emphasis on sports media and is a simple way to stay up to date with the industry. I also listen to podcasts when commuting and have enjoyed The Corp that features former baseball player, Alex Rodriguez, as a host. Its episodes are a series of interviews with successful personalities in sports and beyond. In addition to giving helpful business insights, they are filled with personal anecdotes that are inspiring and one can learn from.
What personal attributes have been essential to your career success?
Adaptability has been essential for me when adjusting to new roles and environments across the range of my different experiences. There have been instances in which I had to start from zero and learn new skills, procedures, and knowledge to handle my responsibilities. Things can appear overwhelming at first, so it helps to trust in your ability to adapt. Having a strong sense of curiosity has been valuable for me as well. Not only does it prompt me to ask more questions, but also leads me to having a better understanding of the impact of my work and further motivation to do it successfully.
What advice would you give to THF interns or alumni as they begin their careers?
From my personal experience, I believe it is important to be patient with one’s career path and any changes it might take over time. As ambitious young professionals, we can become eager to see our careers unfold according to plan right away. However, new interests and circumstances can have you trying something different or waiting a bit longer to reach a desired role. Whatever the case, appreciate every career step along the way and remember the journey matters more than the destination.
Use one word to describe how you practice self-care?
Exercise
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
I am a night owl working hard to become an early bird.
What’s your favorite sport?
Soccer