Name: Sydney Jones
Major: Telecommunications
Hometown: Ormond Beach, FL
Sydney Jones is a sophomore, busy in all aspects of the telecommunications world at UF as president of the Association of Women in Sports Media, a multimedia reporter for WUFT-FM 89.1 and also working for ESPN Gainesville; she’s beginning to experience the excitement of the industry.
Her Campus: What is the Association of Women in Sports Media? How did you get involved?
Sydney Jones: The Association for Women in Sports Media (AWSM) is an international organization whose male and female members support the advancement and growth of women, both student and professional, in sports media. The Florida Chapter of AWSM was founded last year in the Journalism and Communications college by Kaylee Glyder. As a new organization, they participated in the Journalism and Communications college student organization fair. My friend knew I was interested in sports media, so she put me down on the email list and I started going to the meetings. I haven’t stop going since!
HC: What are the benefits of being a member of the organization?
SJ: There are many benefits of being a member of AWSM. By applying online at awsmonline.org and paying the annual $25 fee, students get great networking opportunities, scholarships and internships, job listings and a discount for the annual convention! Some of the internships that are included are with employers such as Sports Illustrated, ESPN, MLB.com, USA Swimming, and some of the nation’s most respected newspapers.
HC: What kind of events does the organization participate in to better understand the importance of the representation of women in a mostly male dominated field?
SJ: We participate in the annual AWSM convention. Last year, the convention was in Miami where many of our members went to listen to many of professional women in the sports industry talk about leadership, their journeys in a male dominated field and the lessons they’ve learned. Katie Nolan, an Emmy Award winning FOX Sports personality, also went and spoke about supporting women in sports journalism.
HC: What does being involved in the organization mean for you personally?
SJ: Personally, being involved in AWSM means a lot to me. Being able to be president of an organization that supports and directly relates to the field I want to work in is such an incredible opportunity. It’s a great feeling to be a part of an organization that supports and spreads awareness about respecting women in a male dominated industry.
HC: Speakers from the industry come and speak at meetings, who are some your favorites and what does it mean to see someone who has succeeded speak to the group?
SJ: Laura Rutledge from the SEC Network and Rachel Axon, who is also the organization’s advisor, from USA Today Sports were two of my favorites. It means a lot to the organization for these women to take the time out of their busy schedules to talk to us. As women aspiring to be in the sports industry, our members enjoy listening to their experiences and asking them questions about how to make it big in the industry.
HC: Do you have any advice for women who may be afraid to go after something they secretly love?
SJ: I think if there is something that you really love and are passionate about, there should be nothing holding you back from doing it. If it’s a true passion of yours, you need to go out there and just do it.
Photo Credits: Sydney Jones