The Drive to Succeed

I figured I would share my story since I have had so many college graduates reach out.??A lot of you want to know how to get into the sports industry and I feel it’s only fair to explain it was never my initial goal as a graduate in 2006.??As a new graduate in a rising industry of Graphic Design I was on a hunt to find a full-time job of any kind.??For the past 5 years of college, yes 5 because I changed schools and my mind a few times I needed to find a job with benefits to start paying back the loans I had taken out to go to college. My parents couldn’t financially help me, so I worked as a part time manager at Bath and Body Works while I attended college.

What you need to know is the job search is hard, no matter what you are looking for because experience is key. At this point in my life, I had no actual design experience, but I did have managerial experience which helped. I loved working with people, I loved making connections, and by chatting with professors before graduation I took on a small job as well as my first unpaid internship.??My internship was at the Noyes Museum in Seaville near Stockton’s campus, while I was there, I designed mailers, flyers, and uploaded images to the website for events. I also took on my first freelance project of plugging in doors and windows into homes for a Home Depot catalog.??

After my first freelance project was over, along with my internship I had a rough time finding a graphic design job. I physically mailed applications, stopped into businesses, introduced myself and continued to make connections. Through the connection of a fellow coworker, I got my first design job a year later at a local print firm called the Gotham Group. While I was there, I learned so much that I didn’t learn in college, I also kept my job at Bath and Body Works because I took a pay cut to start working in my field.??I needed both jobs to pay my loans and my living expenses.??While I was doing this, I thought to myself, I am exhausted, I literally don’t think I am going to make it. But that negativity never helped anyone succeed so I put my big girl pants on and continued to work both jobs for the course of a year.??

Before the land of LinkedIn there were posts on your alumni website which showcased jobs available in the area.??There was a posting for a graphic designer at The Miss America organization. So, with little experience and a mediocre portfolio I applied.??To my surprise I got a call within a week, which at that time was fast being that you physically mailed your applications. I remember my interview like it was yesterday. Sharon Pearce was my interviewer and the Director of PR at the time. Her smile was kind and she really listened to everything I had to say. I remember telling her that I could make publications, which I never did, and that I had a love for history, which I really did. To my surprise I was hired on the spot.??

I worked at Miss America for 5 and half years. When I started, I knew nothing about pageants, not much about design, but enough to get by. I had a positive attitude, asked a lot of questions, and picked through the previous designer’s files, and watched many tutorials to learn how to develop a publication.??With the help of my Miss America family, I grew into a new role, senior designer, and archivist. I digitized most of the Miss America archives with the help of colleagues and interns over the course of a three-year period.??I couldn’t be prouder of my accomplishments or connections I made at the organization, but I felt like I wanted to continue to learn and grow.??My peers and my director encouraged me to move forward. I tried within but there was nothing more for me at Miss America. So, I began my search, and I found an ad for a Graphic Designer for the Philadelphia Eagles.?

Before I explain how I got to the Philadelphia Eagles you should know my whole family loves Philadelphia sports. My husband was the biggest Eagles fan I ever met and sadly I knew nothing about the game. I didn’t know the names of the players at the time other than Brian Dawkins. As far as sports, I played softball when I was young. That was the only sport I really knew or understood. My senior year of high school I helped with athletic training during football season but didn’t truly understand the game.? I knew how to wrap an Anke, fill an ice pack or give the team water. That was about it.

To my surprise once again, I received the call to come in and interview.??I remember the drive to NovaCare in 2013, I was so sick to my stomach, so I called a friend Frank, who was an inspirational speaker and he fired me up before my interview.??He said go in there and be yourself, there is no other Loraine Griffiths. They need you, they called you.???So, I did I walked into my interview, and I was myself, I laid all my work down and prayed for the best. The HR team was inviting, and I felt at ease when I spoke to them.??I remember telling Erik and Kristie that my family loved the Philly sports teams, that my father was a Philadelphia Phillies fan and season ticket member.??I started crying… in the middle of my interview. In my head I thought I blew it the minute I felt the tears run down my face.??I remember looking at Kristie and telling her I lost my dad to ALS a few months prior, and he always wanted me to work in sports. I laughed and told her; he didn’t understand the pageant industry. I also explained that I wanted to work for an industry that gave back to the community. I knew the Phillies were big into the ALS walk, because we participated but Kristie explained all the amazing things the Eagles did, and I immediately wanted to be a part of that.??

I wanted to be part of an organization that gave back to their community. I wanted to serve others and be part of a team. Most importantly I wanted to be part of an organization that embraced change and empathy.??Luckily, Anne Gordon, Kristie Pappal, and Erik Raush took a chance on me. I’ve been with the team since 2013.??Many of my peers and previous mentors have come and gone but I have continued to thrive. I work with an amazing team of two other graphic designers Christine, and Matthew, who literally complete me. All this was possible because I put the work in. When I didn’t know something, I asked questions. If I didn’t know how to do something I learned, it. The most important advice I could give you as someone who works in sports is this.??Every single job is an experience that will help you in your career. If you don’t know how to do something, you can learn it, that can always be taught. But the one thing you need to succeed is a positive attitude, good work ethic, and a drive to do your best, without that you won’t go anywhere.