Media grads scoring big league jobs thanks to experience covering varsity sports
Hania Elakawy, second from right, worked as a floor director for TSN/Sportsnet at the city’s first ever WNBA Toronto game in 2023. From left: TMU grad Savanna Hamilton, host and reporter, Sportsnet & NBA TV Canada; Kylee Templeton, director of photography; Jenna Madalena, producer, MLSE, who is also a TMU grad; and Sara Labadie, sound mixer. (Photo courtesy of Hania Elakawy)
For students with big dreams in sports media, the chance to cover varsity sports at TMU is a win-win.
A partnership with Athletics and the university’s Career Boost program, which provides students with part-time employment opportunities, is proving to be a key stepping stone for students to land big league jobs in the sports media world when they graduate.
Through the work program, students in programs such as journalism, digital media, broadcasting and photography are gaining real world experience covering the Bold in volleyball, basketball, hockey, soccer and more.
Among many roles, jobs include giving play-by-play commentary, producing cool videos and graphics for social media, shooting photo and video content and interviewing athletes and coaches.
“TMU grads who have worked with us are being snatched up by top media outlets including TSN, MLSE, CBC Sports, Sportsnet - they’re everywhere,” said Louise Cowin, executive director, Athletics and Recreation.
“We’re so proud that the experience they’ve gained with us has helped them hone their craft as they pursue their careers. And the coverage the students generate of our varsity teams - it’s next level,” she said.
Below, meet Hania Elakawy, a TMU alum who was part of this incredible program, and who is now a producer at MLSE. Elakawy is the first profile in this three-part series showcasing the success of TMU grads in the sport media industry.
Hania Elakawy
Year of graduation: 2021
Program: RTA Sport Media
Age: 25
Current role/job: Producer, Commercial Creative at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment
Hania Elakawy, centre, is on-set for an MLSE partner production along with junior producer Anna Xia, left, and senior producer Angela Su, right, in July 2024. (Photo courtesy of Hania Elakawy)
Describe your Career Boost role with Athletics.
I’m super grateful to have worked a range of positions with the Athletics department when I was at TMU – a social highlights producer in my first year and a video producer/editor in my second and third year. I was also hired as the production manager for Rams Live TV in my third year (it actually worked out perfectly since I was always at the MAC!)
My hours were pretty consistent – I aimed to be at the MAC for games a few times a week as our job ranged from creating content for our varsity basketball, hockey, and volleyball teams. Throughout the week, I would prep our broadcast crew schedules and allocate volunteers for all our Rams Live productions.
What skills/experience did you learn and gain in the role?
My jobs with Athletics really went hand-in-hand with what I was learning in RTA’s sport media program. It allowed me to gain practical experience working in the field and it was almost an extension of what I would learn in my classes. It sharpened my skills in working with editing platforms like Premiere Pro/After Effects plus working with a range of DSLR, mirrorless cameras, and film cameras.
It was also great to work and interact with the varsity teams at TMU – it was a valuable stepping stone to where I now work with professional/major league teams and their players.
Why/how has that been valuable?
While RTA’s sport media program offered a variety of practical, hands-on classes – being out and working with the varsity teams at TMU along with colleagues who appreciate the value of content creation was definitely something else. Our Athletics department gave us flexibility and creative freedom to create content that you wouldn’t otherwise see on other team university pages. There were so many opportunities – whether it was event or game coverage – to develop my skill set in digital, broadcast and video production.
How did this experience as a Career Boost student with Athletics help you in your current career?
I started working at MLSE in my second year thanks to the experience I gained with Athletics, along with all of the practical hands-on learning in RTA’s sport media program. Working in Career Boost gives you a surge of confidence in your practical skill set. I was able to build a strong portfolio of videos I produced and edited with Athletics while applying for my first industry job at MLSE back in 2018 – this is so important if you’re looking to work in media or film!
Talk about your career goals and how your current position relates to that.
I’ve always dreamt of being a producer in the sports/entertainment industry. I’m so thankful and grateful to be where I am today as a producer for commercial creative at MLSE. We’re an agency of creatives, strategists, and producers who come together to create really unique spots and commercials for MLSE’s partners ranging from Google, PlayStation, BMO, etc. I’m super excited to continue to grow in the position and explore more of the Commercial Creative industry.
What would you say to a TMU student in your program, or a similar program, re. why they should apply for a position with Athletics as part of the Career Boost program?
I always mention to students that Career Boost jobs are your first launch into your career. Having a portfolio of work and a university job on your resume is critical to getting your first job in the industry. Working in Athletics could benefit you in multiple ways – creating connections with colleagues and university staff, plus also using this time in your Career Boost role to discover new areas where you could route your career in the future.
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