A Dream Come True

It's been a dream of mine for years.

Last week, it came true.

Now before I tell you what that is, let me take you back.

Ever since I was a kid, there have been two things that fascinated me. Two things that, as I got older, were things that I could see myself being a part of. Something that would serve as a career goal for me.

Those two things were sports and broadcasting. I love being a sports fan. Something that was ingrained into me by my family ever since I can remember. And I've always been intrigued by broadcasting. I can vividly recall as a kid being in awe over seeing a TV news truck zooming by and as a kid, I made an appearance on the national news over my elementary school being selected for some honor.

Again as I got older, I saw being involved in broadcasting as an actual career. It's the field that picked once I went to college and where I earned my degree. And I really wanted to be involved in sports broadcasting as well. The way I saw it, it would be the best of both worlds.

And even then, if worst came to worst, I would love to be a part of one of the area sports teams, maybe as an announcer or something like that.

But little did I realize, that dreams are one thing. But, reality was something else altogether.

And the reality was, getting a job in broadcasting was as tough as putting a square peg in a round hole. Sure, I had interviews, went to job fairs and events, and sent out more resumes than you can imagine. But each time, something would happen that would set me back. And I'd be lying to you if I didn't say that it hurt me each time I got turned down. Or when I would see a classmate in college that would make it to the big show and think that it should've been me. Or hearing from those who would say that I should've given up on my dreams and settle for a more realistic goal. But I never gave up on that. Which is why I continued at my low paying job and continued to send out the resumes and went to the fairs and what not. Because I knew that somehow, someway a break would come my way. And that's all I was looking for: a break.

Last month, that break finally came.

I don't know what propelled me to, of all things, the Major Indoor Soccer League website that day. But there I was and I clicked on the website for the Detroit Ignition, an expansion team starting up for the league. It was there that I read about that they were looking for people to fill positions with the club. Somehow, after reading that ad, I felt compelled to send out my resume and hope for a response. Little did I know that a few days later, I would get a reply from that club. They wanted an interview with me, maybe to help with their public relations/communications department.

This was my chance. I saw this as my best opportunity to get my foot in the door. So I went to that interview, I sent out my list of references. I emailed and called them several times to see if there were any news. I wanted this. I really wanted this. Then last week, I was called back for a second interview, where they were telling me about working for the club not only in game operations, but also to help out with the team's cable telecasts. Again, I was especially interested in it.

A day later, after I got back from work. I got a message from the team. I called them back, and they told me that they were giving me the position.

I have finally done it.

Now, I'm still a bit fuzzy about my official title, but I do know that starting this weekend and for about 15 days over the next several months, I'll be a part of the Detroit Ignition indoor soccer team staff. I will work as a game operations intern as well as serve as a buffer for the team's ten or so telecasts on cable.

Now, this position doesn't pay, so I'll still be at my other job. But I don't care. My foot is in the door. I had finally gotten a break. And who knows what could come out of this. Or, where this could lead. All I know is I have my shot. And I'm not going to let the team down.

It's been a dream of mine for years. Last week, it came true. And now, this is one dream where I don't want to ever wake up from.