Buchanan’s Kelsie Patrick has been laser-focused on landing a job in the world of network television sports on the west coast for years, and now, barely weeks after graduating from her beloved Michigan State University, she has scored her dream job with the NFL Network in Culver City, California.
The 23 year old Journalism and Media & Information major graduate starts with the NFL Network a little over two weeks from now and will be a Production Assistant in the On-Air Promotions & Marketing Department there.
Everything she has been doing throughout her collegiate career has helped build her case for the dream job. From her early work creating and managing all media for the Niles-Buchanan YMCA “Summer My Way” Camp program for more than two years, to her stint last summer as a production assistant intern with the Washington Redskins Broadcast Network, Kelsie has worked hard to earn her dream role.
She has also served as a production assistant intern with WKAR-TV filming local and MSU sporting events, conducting interviews and the like…an associate producer for the “Living Full Out” Radio Show in Santa Monica, California, finding show sponsors, creating media kits and such…a production assistant intern at WLNS-TV in Lansing performing similar tasks as she had with WKAR, and more than two years working as a production assistant and sideline reporter for Big Ten Student U, assisting with production of select MSU sporting events, and creating sideline reports for live broadcasts.
Kelsie made the Dean’s List at MSU right out of the gate and earned a Joe Falls Detroit News Scholarship in 2015 for her high academic standing and experience in the field of journalism. Joe Falls was an award winning sports reporter and editor for the Detroit News for many years — a veritable household name in the state of Michigan during his tenure.
Last year she also was selected from an elite pool of students to attend a week-long networking business trip to Los Angeles to visit multiple advertising and marketing agencies on the west coast.
That rich balance of experience and dedication paid off this month with her offer from the NFL Network.
Kelsie tells me, “I’m really excited to get started and put to use all of the skills I’ve gained over the years through numerous internships at Michigan State.” She adds, “It feels really great to have all the hard work pay off!”
If you’d like to take a peek at the passion with which Kelsie earned her dream job, just flash back to her Facebook post the day before graduation day back in early May. Here’s what she posted for all to see:
“I know they say in life you should collect moments, not things. Well, I’ve been collecting these media passes, these “things” over the years while at msu and I have to tell you… when I look at these, I don’t see “things”, I see a physical representation of my life over the years at MSU. When I look at these I see unlimited opportunities, unforgettable, even magical moments, windows to new adventures and memories I will forever cherish.
I see myself standing on the field at Ohio State University bawling in excitement as Geiger windmills across the field after a game-winning, playoff clenching field goal. I see Tom Izzo calling a timeout only to sprint across the floor and scream at a referee. I see that same Izzo team destroy U of M on their home court and later go on to defy odds and make it to the Final Four. I see myself not able to speak, shaking as I meet Magic Johnson for the first time. I see “THERE’S TROUBLE ON THE SNAP AND THE BALL IS FREE! IT IS PICKED UP BY JALEN WATTS-JACKSON AND HE SCORES ON THE LAST PLAY OF THE GAME!”
All of these moments are just a few of my favorite highlights represented by these “things”. But most importantly, when I look at these… I see myself being blessed to be able to have spent these years doing what I absolutely love. I see myself learning, growing and becoming the sports journalist I have always dreamed of being. And for that I thank you MSU. I thank you for these last few years, for these opportunities.”
You may recall the old song “My Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades?” Well, I hope Kelsie’s got a good pair of sunglasses when she hits the road to California, because her drive and determination have all the markings of a brilliant career ahead. Best of luck and we’ll be watching with great interest as you launch your career with the NFL Network,
