Entry-level Positions for Aspiring San Francisco 49ers Community Relations Staff
Saya's journey from an intern with "no guarantee of a job past four months" to a Community Relations Senior Manager highlights the importance of persistence and acquiring relevant skills. The advice to pursue "linear jobs or parallel jobs" that build applicable skills, such as working for a nonprofit to understand "how a nonprofit operates," demonstrates a strategic approach to career advancement in a competitive field.
Networking, Entry-Level, Career Development, Overcoming Challenges, Nonprofit Experience
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Saya Lindsay
Community Relations Senior Manager
San Francisco 49ers
Trinity College, 2012
N/A
International Relations & Affairs
Sports & Fitness
Communication and Marketing
Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Saya started as an intern and emphasizes that entry-level positions, even internships, can lead to full-time roles. She didn't know anyone at the company, highlighting that networking isn't always essential.
2. She advises exploring linear or parallel jobs within the industry to gain relevant experience. For example, she suggests nonprofit work to understand how nonprofits operate, which is beneficial when collaborating with them in community relations.
3. Saya stresses the importance of developing specific skill sets to become a competitive candidate and encourages persistence in pursuing career goals, even if it requires taking seemingly indirect paths or temporary positions with no guaranteed future.
Transcript
I don't agree with it. This was the one job I applied to where I knew no one.
I always take it upon myself to read everyone's resume and cover letter. I give everyone a chance because there isn't a clear pathway to get here.
Everyone's background and what you may have done to get here won't look the same. Different things will excite me about different candidates. Someone once gave me a chance, so I want to give someone else the next chance.
That being said, it took me a year or two of working to get here and get that internship. I always tell people to do linear jobs or parallel jobs that work in the same industry or ultimately get you towards your goal.
These jobs make you better at something. For us, it's not profit work; that's something we do as part of this job. I always tell people interested in this field to go work for a nonprofit for a summer or a year.
Just get an understanding of how a nonprofit operates. On the other side of this, it's so valuable when working with partners to say, "Yes, I understand what you're talking about. I can relate to the language you're using and the struggles you're going through."
That can be applied to any job. Hone in on a skill set and get better at that skill set. When an opportunity arises, you'll be the best possible candidate for the job.
I don't think I would have gotten this internship had I not worked for the nonprofit the year before. I left a full-time job in LA for this internship here, which was for months with no guarantee.
Again, it's about making yourself the best possible candidate and not giving up. It might not be exactly what you want to do, but it's getting you a step closer towards your ultimate dream job.