Stepping Stones: Early experiences in live sports broadcast with Sky Deutschland intern Lena Reinhard
Lena Reinhard is an intern at Sky Deutschland working across all aspects of the production process for live sports broadcast. Studying at the University of Cologne, she is focused on pursuing a career in this genre when she graduates and loves learning by doing on the job. Stepping Stones articles are here to showcase young talent in sports broadcasting. Read on for more!
What is your job role today and what do you love about it?
I’m currently an intern at Sky Sport, gaining hands-on experience in live sports broadcasting, primarily in football. My training covers various aspects of the production process, including camera operation, setting up commentary equipment and key elements of sound engineering. This internship allows me to develop a well-rounded skill set and deepen my understanding of live production.
Personally, I really love the variety the job brings. One day I’m out on my own filming for Sky Sport News and the next day I’m setting up the commentary equipment for a big football game. As an intern I get insights in many different aspects of live broadcasting.
I also love the fact that I’m allowed to participate in the production as a full team member. I get to take on certain positions completely independently and help out. As an intern it is a real privilege to be allowed to participate in this capacity. It’s really learning by doing, which in my case is a lot of fun!
What does your current job entail on a day-to-day basis?
No day is the same as the next. That’s the awesome part about it! Some aspects of my work are similar but the atmosphere around it changes with every single production.
On some days I’m taking one of our production cars and driving to Borussia Dortmund, for example. When I arrive at the training ground, I meet up with one of the Sky Sport reporters. On some days I’ll film the public training of the club and on others I’m filming the press conference. A large part of news production consists of filming the reporter going live. On the one hand, I have to make sure that the camera image looks nice and on the other hand, I am responsible for ensuring that everything is alright with the sound.
When we have big productions such as two Bundesliga games or Champions League games, my jobs vary. Sometimes I’m working as a camera operator; then I’m at the edge of the field filming the interviews with our moderators and guests.
Other times I’m working with the pitch technology at the edge of the field. This job consists of linking up the cable network for our production cameras as well as setting up lights, the microphones used by our moderators and the headphones they’re wearing.
Another position is responsible for the commentator’s station. I handle the wiring and the technology behind it. I set up the monitors and the commentator’s microphone. During the game, I oversee the commentator’s station, ensuring that they can commentate on the game freely for the viewers at home.
Can you talk us through your relevant education that helped you break into the sports broadcasting industry?
I’m currently studying at the University of Cologne. I am enrolled in a course called Intermedia, in my seventh semester, and I will complete my bachelor’s degree this summer. I am doing this internship as part of my studies, but mainly on a voluntary basis, and I’ve been training in the previously mentioned areas since the start of October.
For the first couple of months, I mostly observed my team members at work, but over the past one to two months, I have been increasingly involved in hands-on tasks. Since December, I have also been allowed to take on positions independently. However, as mentioned, my team in Cologne has gradually taught me everything step by step over the past few months.
Has your job inspired you to go further in sports broadcasting?
This is actually my first position in sports broadcasting. It’s essentially my stepping stone into the industry and has opened my eyes to the potential of this career field. I chose this internship primarily to get a first look into the industry and because I might pursue a master’s degree in this direction after my bachelors.
Where job would you like to be in in five- or 10-years’ time? What are your career goals?
After my internship, I definitely want to keep a foot in the door in this industry. Right now, my hope is to continue working at Sky on a part-time basis, either as a sound technician or a camera operator.
First, I need to complete my bachelor’s degree, and then I’ll have to decide whether to start a master’s programme or go straight into the workforce.
In any case, I want to stay in the industry. I want to continue working with media, especially in the sports niche. I can also see myself exploring other areas within the industry. I find the social media departments of football clubs particularly interesting. I’d also like to gain some insight into editorial work and journalism, but overall, I find the live production side incredibly exciting.
Since I’m still at the beginning of my career, everything is still open at this point. I don’t have any clearly defined goals yet. Right now, I’m just embracing the opportunities that come my way and trying to learn as much as possible.
Can you give us some top tips that really helped you get where you are today?
I think the top tips are really that you need to be open minded and willing to embrace new opportunities. You have to take the chances that come your way. For me, doing this internship was a big step out of my comfort zone because I had very little prior experience in the sport broadcasting field and obviously at first I was a bit intimidated because I knew how male-dominated the field is.
So, it’s important to be open to new things, even if you don’t fully understand them at first, and to try to learn as much as possible. Always ask questions; my team made it clear from day one that there are no stupid questions. I’ve been asking as many as I can, and it has helped me a lot.
And, most importantly, just enjoy what you’re doing!
Can you give us some tips on things not to do or to avoid when trying to get a role you really want?
I think it’s important to simply say yes to things and not shut yourself off just because something seems scary. New and unfamiliar things are always intimidating at first, but you shouldn’t let that make you feel small or doubt yourself.
Especially in the beginning, making mistakes is completely normal. You’re there to learn, and mistakes are part of the process. But it’s also important to stay humble and open to learning instead of thinking you already know everything.
You definitely have to speak up and not be too quiet, especially in a male-dominated industry. As a woman, you need to hold your ground and make sure you have presence.
And lastly, don’t just stand on the sidelines. When you’re learning something new, really try to be part of it and get involved. Learning by doing; don’t just watch, but take action. That’s in my experience the best way to truly understand why certain things are done and to grasp what might not make sense at first. So, just go for it!
What would you say are the barriers to getting a job in the broadcast industry?
I think one of the biggest challenges is that, from the perspective of someone who has only ever seen aspects of the broader media industry, there isn’t much information on how to get into this field. It feels like most people just sort of stumble into it, which makes it difficult for outsiders to find their first way in.
I personally only came across this internship through an online ad on LinkedIn. And as I’ve already mentioned, it’s a male-dominated industry. That’s why I was really glad that my boss was excited to have a woman interested in exploring this field. But the reality is that, in production, you’re often the only woman. There are some, but overall, very few women work in this area, especially in men’s football, which is heavily male dominated. That’s something you have to keep in mind when approaching this field.
Being a production technician can also be physically demanding at times, which is something you have to be prepared for. The working hours are also not your typical 9-to-5 job.
But, overall, if you truly want to pursue this career and break into the industry, there are definitely enough opportunities.
On Wednesday 19 March, SVG Europe Women is hosting A City United, a learning, inspiration and networking event taking place at the Hot House in MediaCity, Salford, in association with Dock10. Find out more and register here.