ASHLEY PRESTON

Ashley Preston is a senior at the University of Michigan. She studies communications and writing and will be graduating April 2018. Ashley has interned in the University of Michigan Athletic Department for two years in the communications office. She has worked with various sports at Michigan including women's lacrosse, baseball, volleyball, men's basketball and football. During her time in athletics, Ashley has grown her passion for sport and Michigan and has encountered some wonderful women along the way. She created this blog with the hopes that their stories won't go untold and that their influence on the sports world is recognized and celebrated.

To all the women who have blazed and continue to blaze a path in sports and any other industry they are passionate about, thank you.

Q: How long have you been working in the sports field?

I have been working in the sports field for two years. I began my first job in sports in August 2016 with the Michigan athletic department.

Q: When did you decide you wanted to work in the sports field?

When I was in high school, I had the opportunity to job shadow my now great friend, Katie Prchlik, at a Michigan football game with the sports marketing student interns. I got to help fold and toss t-shirts and observe the marketing activities that were part of a game -- not to mention getting to stand on the field for the game. After that experience, I knew not only that I wanted to work in sports, but that I wanted to do the sports marketing internship at Michigan as a student. I also grew up with a mom who has worked in athletics for over 30 years. Getting to see the cool perks she got like season football tickets and cool sports apparel always intrigued me and gave me a disposition towards the sports field. Growing up shadowing her and meeting her colleagues has been a huge advantage for myself in the sports industry. As many people say, it's about who you know. As great as it is to have grown up with connections in the sports industry, I also understand this puts me at a higher standard. Whenever I am given special opportunities, I work hard to prove that I deserve to be there and that it wasn't just my connections that placed me where I am.

Q: What is your best memory working in sports?

Hands down, working with the 2017-18 Michigan men's basketball team. As an intern, I got to attend all home games and write the game recap for MGoBlue.com as well as assist with social media. While this opportunity gave me some of the best experience I could possibly imagine in sports as a 21-year-old, being able to play a small role in a program that made it to the national championship game was truly amazing. I was able to interview Mortiz Wagner, Jaaron Simmons and Charles Matthews to write their features for the game programs at the beginning of the season, and seeing those individuals as well as the rest of the team become what they did was rewarding. Of course, it was hard to not let my fan side show through every once in awhile when I was a little girl wearing a Michigan cheerleader outfit in the Crisler Center stands not so long ago. I was able to meet John Beilein and continue to be inspired by the character he displays on and off the court.

Overall, working for Michigan Athletics was my "best memory" and showed me that I have what it takes to work in sports as well as reinforced my passion for Michigan.

Ashley and Michigan basketball head coach John Beilein

Q: How did you become comfortable working in a male-dominated industry?

I don't know if I've ever become fully comfortable with it. There are times where I worry that my lack of knowledge about some sports will be attributed to the fact that I'm a girl. I feel lucky, though, because the office I work in has some great women and men who will lend a helping hand. If I wasn't an intern, I would probably feel more intimidated about working in sports. Once I learn the ropes of a new sport or task, I quickly gain confidence that I have the ability to complete the task as well as a man. I've had great role models (as seen in this blog) to look up to.

Q: Share a piece of advice you would give yourself when you were just starting out.

Have confidence in yourself. It is easy to worry that you have no idea what you are doing when you first start out, but it is so important to have confidence in yourself. If you were selected, hired, chosen, or whatever it may be, for a job or internship, you have what it takes. Don't wait until you feel comfortable to be confident. If learning something new is hard -- good. Have confidence in your ability to master it. Because you will. You won't settle for less.

Also, on that note, it is okay to feel uncomfortable. I remember my first time covering pre-game social media for Michigan basketball: I was down on the court taking videos and photos for Twitter. The majority of the time I felt like I didn't belong. I quickly learned that it was my job to be there, just like everyone else. I also learned that I could tweet play-by-play and write game recaps for men's basketball, despite the fact that both felt foreign and somewhat unreachable to begin with. My advice is to learn to embrace discomfort. It means you are about to grow.

Finally, learn how to lose with pride. If you work in sports, its likely that you enjoy watching and being a fan of sports, also. It's important when you are working that you separate your fan side and your employee side. I learned this lesson pretty quickly when I had to help coordinate the Michigan State post-game press conference after they upset Michigan in Ann Arbor. Rivalries are fun, but you don't get to be a fan when you've got a credential around your neck. Have fun, but be professional.

Ashley working at the 2017 Michigan vs. Michigan State game

Q: How do you find a work-life balance?

Being a student and working in sports (in addition to a retail job) is sometimes difficult. From juggling classes and homework to late night and weekend games, it is important for me to manage my stress. Fortunately, going to games never feels much like "work." Although it is work, it acts as a break from school rather than a hindrance of it. I usually find working games to be therapeutic. One weekend in the fall I had six different events in three days -- three volleyball matches, a field hockey game, football and a soccer game. It got a little hectic, but I enjoy it so much that it never feels like work.

Now, I do sometimes need an escape from both school and work. I like to exercise or spend time with friends and family to decompress. I find hitting the gym a couple days a week to relieve stress during the week and heading home to see family and my boyfriend on the weekend to be most beneficial for my well-being. I also live and die by my planner and check-lists for keeping myself sane.

Q: In your experience, what is the best way to set yourself apart from others?

In my experience, being teachable and asking to learn more are really important things that can make you stand out. When I first started working in Michigan Athletics, I had a lot to learn. By being teachable and willing to go the extra mile, I was able to excel quickly. I am really big on embracing the concept of passion. If you are passionate about something, you will likely do what you can to prove you belong and be the best you can be. Having a passion for what you are doing is something that will undoubtedly set you apart. A passion isn't something that hides beneath the surface -- it shows in all the work you do.

Q: What is the level of importance of getting master's degree in the sports field?

As a newcomer to the sports field, I don't know if I can give a concrete answer to this question. I know that I, personally, will not be pursuing a master's degree immediately following my undergraduate career. So far, I have found my work experience to be exponentially more valuable than my education (sorry, higher education). While I know this isn't true for everyone, it has been in my case. I would like to pursue an MBA sometime in the near future, but would like real life experience before I head back for more schooling (and spend more money on tuition).