HOW I GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE HAWKEYE MARCHING BAND MEDIA TEAM
LONG STORY SHORT…
I JUST ASKED IF THEY NEEDED HELP, AND THE REST IS HISTORY. LET ME EXPLAIN. MORAL OF THE STORY, DO THE HARD WORK BEHIND THE SCENES AND FIND SOMETHING YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT AND JUST ASK WHO EVER YOU CAN FIND. YOU MAY GET SOME NOS BUT ONE DAY IT COULD BE A YES. THAT SAID, I HAD JUST GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA IN MAY 2023. WHILE I WAS A STUDENT AT IOWA TRYING TO MAKE MY BUSINESS HAPPEN IN THE BACKGROUND, I WAS ALSO IN THE MARCHING BAND AND PEP BAND AT IOWA. I WOULD TAKE PHOTOS ALL OVER THE CAMPUS AND FOR PAID GIGS WHICH I HAVE COVERED IN THESE BLOG POSTS.
THIS LEAD TO THE FOLKS IN CHARGE TAKING NOTICE OF ME AND MY WORK AND WILLINGNESS TO WORK ON A PROJECT FOR THE LONG HAUL WITH LITTLE TO NO PAY LOL…. AND WHEN I WENT TO ASK IF THEY NEEDED HELP, THEY WERE ABOUT TO REACH OUT TO ME AND SEE IF I PLANNED TO STICK AROUND IOWA AFTER SCHOOL. SOME MAY SAY I WAS LUCKY, I SURE WOULD, BUT I ALSO WOULD SAY I WAS READY FOR WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED ITSELF. I WAS GETTING BETTER AT MY CRAFT, LEARNING HOW TO WORK WITH A TEAM, AND IN ALL SORTS OF ENVIORMENTS WITH LITTLE TO NO NOTICE.
AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I HAD THE SKILLSET THESE PEOPLE WERE LOOKING FOR. SO I WANT TO SAY A BIG THANK YOU TO JOHN AND ALEX FOR TAKING A LEAP OF FAITH ON ME, AND I AM GLAD TO SAY, WE ARE GEARING UP FOR YEAR NUMBER 4 COME THIS FALL 2026. THAT SAID, I HAVE LEARNED SOMETHINGS ALONG THE WAY AND WANT TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU, FIND THEM BELOW.
5 TIPS AND TRICKS TO HELP YOU WHEN REACHING OUT FOR AN OPPORTUNITY
1. MASTER YOUR CRAFT BEFORE THE OPPORTUNITY COMES
Before anyone gave me a real opportunity, I was already putting in the work.
Getting better at photography and content creation isn’t about waiting for big moments—it’s about creating your own. Shooting consistently, learning lighting, understanding angles, and editing with intention all build your foundation.
When the opportunity finally comes, you don’t rise to the occasion—you fall back on your preparation.
Key takeaway: Don’t wait to get hired to start working like a professional.
2. PUT YOUR WORK WHERE PEOPLE CAN SEE IT
You can be talented, but if nobody sees your work, it doesn’t matter.
Posting consistently on platforms like Instagram or YouTube creates visibility. It builds a portfolio in real time. It shows people what you’re capable of without you having to explain it.
Opportunities often come from people watching what you’ve already been doing.
Key takeaway: Your content is your resume—treat it like one.
3. REACH OUT TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE (AND DO IT WITH INTENTION)
A lot of opportunities don’t just “happen”—they’re created through connection.
Reaching out isn’t about spamming messages. It’s about being intentional. Knowing who you’re contacting, understanding what they do, and showing how you can bring value.
Whether it’s someone connected to the University of Iowa or directly within the program, timing and approach matter.
Key takeaway: Don’t just ask for opportunities—present value.
4. BE READY WHEN TIMING FINALLY LINES UP
Sometimes you can do everything right and still have to wait.
Timing plays a bigger role than people think. The right opportunity often comes when preparation meets the right moment. That’s why consistency matters so much—you never know when your name will come up.
When the door opened with the Hawkeye Marching Band, it wasn’t random. It was the result of preparation meeting timing.
Key takeaway: Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.
5. TREAT EVERY OPPORTUNITY LIKE IT LEADS TO THE NEXT ONE
Once you get in the door, the work isn’t done—it’s just beginning.
Showing up professional, delivering quality work, and being easy to work with is what turns one opportunity into more. People remember how you made the process feel just as much as the final product.
That’s how you build relationships that last.
Key takeaway: One opportunity can change everything—if you handle it right.
Working with the Hawkeye Marching Band wasn’t luck—it was preparation, consistency, and being intentional about growth. Opportunities are out there, but they tend to find the people who are already putting in the work.
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