<p><span class="p-body">The fast-paced world of sports is full of opportunities for graduates of the BS in Sport Management program at NYU SPS, something that alumna Samantha Hickey knows well. Poised at the epicenter of global sport, NYC is our classroom, and students can dive right in from day one. We were excited to catch up with Hickey to see what she has been up to since graduation, and how her time in the program helped shape her career. <br> </span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Hickey is from Fairfield, Connecticut, and has taken her talents across various sports fields, broadcasting trucks, and even ski slopes. &quot;I work in sports, so that's an obvious interest right off the bat,&quot; she quips, showcasing a sense of humor that has no doubt helped her navigate the dynamic world of sports media. Currently residing in Bridgeport, Hickey embraces a lifestyle packed with activities. From rowing to skiing, and even indulging in her love for travel, she brings her high-energy personality to everything she does.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">After high school, college presented a whole new world of opportunities, and NYU was not initially part of her plan. &quot;NYU wasn't on my radar at all when I started the college process!&quot; she recalls. It wasn't until her best friend, enamored by the NYU campus, urged Hickey to consider the university that she decided to take a closer look. &quot;The area around NYU appealed to me as its own hub in Greenwich Village,&quot; she shares. During her campus tour, Samantha noticed a degree in Sport Management offered at the SPS, a career path she had not seriously contemplated before. That moment, seemingly trivial, planted a seed that eventually blossomed into a flourishing career. &quot;The combination of environment and field of study was too great to pass up, and I've never regretted my decision to come to NYU.&quot;</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Hickey's time at NYU was a chapter of self-discovery and building a sense of community within a vast institution. &quot;There's always an adjustment period when you first begin your college journey,&quot; she notes. But once she got past the initial learning curve, NYU offered a world of possibilities.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Despite being one of the largest private universities in the country, Hickey found that the city's hustle and bustle and the diverse student body allowed her to &quot;tailor the experience to be uniquely my own.&quot;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Hickey describes her experience as typical of many NYU students: forging lifelong friendships, balancing academics with the thrill of city exploration, and navigating the complexities of young adulthood. &quot;It isn't as rosy or straightforward as it can sound,&quot; she admits, acknowledging the challenges of making friends, adjusting to harder classes, and managing time effectively. &quot;What kept me grounded through those typical college obstacles was staying true to myself and pursuing subjects and activities that were interesting to me.&quot; This self-awareness and determination not only guided her during her time at NYU but also became invaluable in her career.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Today, Hickey works as a font coordinator for the YES Network, where she formats graphics for live sports broadcasts, having transitioned from her earlier role in pre- and post-game shows for the Yankees and Brooklyn Nets. Reflecting on how NYU SPS prepared her for this career, she credits the program's diversity of courses that provided &quot;a rich background into the sports business and media landscape.&quot;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Taking a sports law course gave her &quot;an extra understanding and appreciation of how complex sports media rights deals and agreements can be.&quot; The well-rounded education she received at NYU helped her grasp the intricate nature of the sports industry, where everything from media rights to player salaries is deeply interconnected.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Hickey also attributes her early professional success to the rigorous professional development seminars required during her time at SPS. &quot;It was such a thorough overview and practical application of all that I would encounter during the job-seeking process,&quot; she explains. These seminars eased the stress of interviews and professional etiquette, allowing her to focus on her preparation and performance rather than the logistics of job hunting.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Like any career, Hickey's path came with its own set of challenges. At one point, she found herself struggling in a role where hard work and long hours didn't seem to yield the results she hoped for. &quot;Growing up playing sports and having the mindset of an athlete, it was frustrating to find that even with how hard I was working, it wasn't leading to results,&quot; she recalls. After a candid conversation with her supervisor, she realized that the job was not the right fit for her. Transferring to a different department helped her flourish, and this experience taught her a valuable lesson: &quot;It's okay to trust yourself when a situation isn't working out how you planned.&quot;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">On the flip side, Hickey has enjoyed some remarkable successes in her career, most notably winning two New York Chapter Emmy awards for her work with YES Network. One award was for her role in the graphics production of a 2021 Yankees game, where the team clinched a playoff spot with a walk-off hit. The other was for her work on the special pre- and post-game coverage of the Yankees vs. White Sox Field of Dreams game. &quot;Both were incredibly memorable and meaningful,&quot; she shares, adding that she was grateful to be able to give one of the statues to her parents in recognition of their support.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Hickey hopes to continue progressing in broadcast production and dreams of one day directing games on the YES Network. With a supportive team and mentors, she's eager to gain more experience, especially in the Tape Associate Director role, which involves managing game replays and highlight packages. &quot;I plan to advocate for myself and express interest in my career path to get the experience I need to end up where I ultimately see myself,&quot; she says with determination.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">For incoming NYU SPS students,&nbsp;Hickey is excited to share her advice. &quot;Enjoy and make the most of your time at NYU.&quot; She urges students to take in the full college experience without the pressure of having it all figured out immediately. &quot;Your path will be unique, and it might not be as linear as you'd hoped,&quot; she advises, reminding students to &quot;give yourself some grace&quot; if their first few jobs aren't their dream roles.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Hickey's internships during her time at NYU were instrumental in shaping her career path. From interning in the PR department at Adidas to working as an on-field emcee for a collegiate summer league baseball team, these hands-on experiences helped refine her career aspirations. <br> </span></p> <p><span class="p-body">&nbsp;</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Her time at NYU not only provided her with practical skills but also guided her in discovering what she truly wanted in her career. Hickey is one of many students who have thrived at the center of it all. Add your name to the roster when you pursue a <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/bs-in-sport-management.html" title="BS in Sport Management">BS in Sport Management</a> at NYU SPS.</span></p>