This conversation follows Brandon Estrada, corporate hospitality account manager for the Anaheim Ducks, as he walks through his path from student-athlete to corporate sports sales. He shares how organization, informational interviews, and a willingness to take a risk helped him move from the corporate world into hockey. We discuss balancing college athletics and internships, the shift from business into sports, and why being a good person matters as much as being good at sales in this industry. He balanced athletics, classes, internships, and jobs every summer. His biggest tool was organization, including planning his whole week on paper

He believes being good at your job matters, but being a good person matters just as much

In sports, people remember how you treat them. He shared that a memorable part of his job is seeing families return as repeat customers after attending a game. Some of his keys are:

· Do informational interviews

· Research teams and cities before applying

· Build genuine relationships because you never know where opportunities will come from

· Stay open to unexpected paths, even if your major or first job is not directly sports related

My First Job in Sports is Presented by SBRnet. Everyone's Career Starts Somewhere.

What if the fastest way into sports partnerships is not chasing a dream job, but learning how to make yourself impossible to ignore? Houston Texans partnership development manager Isaiah Fung breaks down the real path from Temple student to NFL dealmaker, and it starts long before the first full-time offer.

Neil Schwartz and Dr. Ashley Gardner sit down with Isaiah Phuong for a conversation that connects the classroom to the front office. Isaiah shares how growing up in Houston shaped his love for the Rockets, Astros, and Texans, why Temple University became the launchpad for his career, and how a single internship turned into a full-time path through Vanderbilt, the Florida Panthers, and back home to Houston.

You'll discover:

• Why Isaiah chose partnerships early, even when he had no clear roadmap
• How he used cold email, follow-up, and relationship-building to get on the radar of industry leaders
• What Temple's alumni network and sports business pipeline can really do when you know how to use it
• The three traits he says matter most in sports business: work hungry, remain humble, stay coachable
• Why public speaking, research, and understanding revenue are essential if you want to work in partnerships

My First Job in Sports is Presented by SBRnet. Everyone's Career Starts Somewhere.

For Episode 48 of My First Job in Sports, Dr. G. and I spoke with J.J. Zykan, Senior Content Strategist for the Colorado Avalanche. Now in her fifth season with the team, J.J. helps lead social media strategy and develops campaigns across the Avalanche’s platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, X, and more.

We interviewed J.J. on the afternoon before Game 4 of the NHL Western Conference Final. She shared how authentic player stories and natural, fun moments keep fans engaged, win or lose. Fans want authenticity and behind-the-scenes access, not just highlight clips. Her advice: read the room, stay confident in your team, and keep content relatable—even after a tough loss. It’s a strong reminder that while sports fans are emotional, they respond to honesty, passion, and storytelling that feels real.

My First Job in Sports is Presented by SBRnet. Everyone's Career Starts Somewhere.