How Identity Has Influenced A Social Media Manager At ESPN's Career
Mitchell's first-generation college experience, driven by parental support but without pressure to pursue a specific field, provided four years to "figure things out" and develop crucial professional skills. This journey, culminating in a career at ESPN, highlights the value of higher education in fostering "how to think and how to communicate," ultimately proving that hard work and teamwork lead to success.
Career Exploration, Communication, Teamwork, Overcoming Challenges, Achieving Goals
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. College provided a foundation for professional development and critical thinking skills, which were essential in his career at ESPN.
2. There was no pressure to choose a specific major; college was a time for self-discovery and exploration, ultimately leading to a career in sports media.
3. Hard work and teamwork are key to success—a lesson learned during his college years and applicable to his professional career.
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a first-generation college student, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
For me, my parents met in the military. That was their college. My step-parents, who are a huge part of my life, did trade school. So, for me to go to a four-year university, especially one like UC Santa Barbara, that was the plan for a very long time.
My parents did not want me to enlist; they wanted me to pursue something different. It was ingrained in me from a very young age that I would go to a four-year institution. I'm really happy they made that a priority because it opened up so many different doors for me that probably wouldn't have been there if I had gone a different route.
Now, you might just see "Poli Sci major" at face value. But working at ESPN, college taught me how to think, how to communicate, and ultimately how to be a better professional than I was at 17 when I first stepped on campus. The impact of college for me was from a peer and professional development standpoint, helping me figure out exactly what I wanted out of whatever industry I pursued.
It ended up being sports media, and it's paid off very well. As a first-generation student, there wasn't really any pressure to earn a degree in a specific field. My parents just wanted me to be in a position where I had a four-year college degree.
That was important for them, but they also understood that once I was in college, I would find my own way. It was essentially four years to figure things out, and that's exactly what it was. I'm happy I didn't experience certain pressures, but I'm also happy my parents guided me in this direction.
I used college as the time to figure things out. If you work hard and are a good teammate, success will come your way. I'm convinced of that. I've seen it in examples from people who graduated from UC Santa Barbara with me and others who took different paths. The common thread has been learning how to be that good teammate, and that's what college taught me.