Career Path Of A Creative Manager For Social Media At ESPN
Mitchell's career path began with sports radio in college, leading to a job with UCSB Athletics; however, feeling "unfulfilled," Mitchell took a "sizable pay cut" to become an entry-level ESPN production assistant. This pivotal move, allowing Mitchell to leverage "creative control" in social media, ultimately led to their current role as ESPN's Creative Manager for Social Media, overseeing a team creating custom assets for ESPN's social accounts.
Career Development, Social Media, Creative Industries, Sports Media, Networking
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Mitchell Clements
Creative Manager, Social Media
ESPN
University of California, Santa Barbara (2013)
UCLA Anderson School of Management (2026)
Political Science, American Studies
Arts, Entertainment & Media, Sports & Fitness
Creative
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Mitchell's career path highlights the value of internships and networking. His early experiences in college radio and working for UCSB athletics provided a foundation for his career. He then took a calculated risk by accepting a lower-paying entry-level position at ESPN, demonstrating initiative and a willingness to sacrifice short-term financial gain for long-term career growth.
2. Mitchell's transition from sports broadcasting to social media at ESPN showcases adaptability and a proactive approach to career development. Recognizing the growing importance of digital media, he transitioned to the social media team, showcasing his ability to identify and capitalize on emerging industry trends.
3. Mitchell's journey underscores the importance of finding a role that aligns with one's passions. Despite initially pursuing a career in sports broadcasting, he found greater fulfillment and creative control in social media at ESPN, demonstrating the value of self-awareness and pursuing opportunities that spark passion and enthusiasm.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path? Please start with your experiences in college, any internships, or jobs you had before your current role.
I graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2013. From the moment I stepped onto campus, I was involved in sports radio, working with the student radio station, KCSV. I was the sports director there my junior year.
My goal at the time was to be a play-by-play voice for a basketball team or the San Diego Padres. This was my driving force for the early part of my career.
After graduating, I immediately got a job with the UC Santa Barbara Athletics Department. I stayed there for three years, continuing my radio work while also writing press releases and game recaps for the athletics website. However, I felt unfulfilled and that I was near my desired industry, but not in the right role.
I decided to cast a wide net and eventually landed an entry-level job with ESPN as a production assistant. It was a gamble; I took a sizable pay cut from my established career at UCSB and moved across the country at 25 to start at ESPN.
Despite the lower pay and not knowing anyone initially, I was happier. I cut highlights for SportsCenter, worked with talent on scripts, and eventually worked on the fantasy show. As a big fantasy sports fan, this was an incredible experience, including launching a new show from scratch.
Eventually, I moved to the social media team, seeing ESPN's investment in social and digital. I realized I could have more creative control over individual projects there than on TV, though it was more fragmented. I took pride in my work on the social team, starting as a social media specialist.
I worked my way up to my current role as the Creative Manager for Social Media. This means I run the team of talented designers who create all the custom graphics and videos you see on ESPN's social accounts. Our team makes all of those custom assets.