Episode 8: Stand Out. Be Real. Make it You. Guest: Tre' Pickel, Mount St. Joseph University alumnus and Business Development Manager for the Dayton Dragons What do employers really look for when hiring? And how do you turn your college experiences into a career in a competitive industry like professional sports? In this episode, Tre', a Mount alumnus, joins Christin to talk about his career across NASCAR, the NBA G League, the NFL, and Major League Baseball. Now working with the Dayton Dragons, Tre' shares how his time at the Mount, including playing basketball and working game days with the Cincinnati Bengals, helped shape his professional journey. Whether you're hoping to work in sports or simply trying to figure out your next step, this episode offers practical advice for building relationships, gaining experience, and making the most of the opportunities in front of you. Key Takeaways Experience matters. Employers want to see what you've actually done. Part-time jobs, internships, campus involvement, and leadership roles can help you demonstrate skills that go beyond what's listed on your resume. Get involved before you graduate. Career fairs, networking events, student organizations, and community events can help you explore career options, meet professionals, and discover what you enjoy doing. Build trust through the little things. Showing up on time, following through, asking questions, and offering to help others are simple habits that can make a lasting impression on your coworkers and supervisors. Be professional, even when working in your dream industry. If you want to work in sports, remember that you're there to do a job, not just meet players or coaches. Understanding professional boundaries and focusing on your responsibilities helps you stand out for the right reasons. Work ethic means being proactive. Don't wait for someone to tell you what to do next. Look ahead, anticipate upcoming needs, ask questions, and find ways to contribute when your current tasks are finished. Attitude and adaptability go a long way. Plans change, unexpected tasks come up, and sometimes you need to help outside your usual responsibilities. Being willing to step in and support your team can build relationships across an organization. Networking is about who knows you. Knowing people in your industry is helpful, but building genuine relationships and giving people a reason to remember and trust you can be even more valuable. Start conversations, stay connected, and look for ways to build relationships before you need something. You never know where one opportunity might lead. Christin shares how an internship that began as a college requirement eventually led to another internship, a full-time job, and national volunteer leadership opportunities. You don't have to know where every experience will take you to make it worthwhile. This Week's Main Character Challenge Make one networking connection this week. Think about someone you've met through a class, campus event, part-time job, or professional interest. Reach out through LinkedIn, congratulate them on an accomplishment, ask a question about their work, or follow up on a conversation you've already had. You don't have to ask for a job or deliver a perfect elevator pitch. Just start a conversation and begin building the relationship. Remember Tre' advice: it's not just about who you know, but who knows you. Keep the Story Going Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to Main Character Energy so you don't miss the next conversation, and share it with a friend who's exploring career options, interested in sports, or working on building their professional network. Main Character Energy Own your story. Build your future. A podcast from the MSJ Career Center, hosted and produced by Christin Reynolds.
