On any normal day $200 will get you quite a bit, but at the Professional Baseball Employment Opportunities (PBEO) Job Fair it’s probably not going to get you a whole lot. I am not trying to complain in this note (as some bathroom stalkers might think), because in all honesty I got to attend the MLB Winter Meetings and how many people get to say that. I am merely trying to accommodate those who might think of going in the future by quoting Rob Crain, Assistant GM, Omaha Royals, “Go to the Gala then go to the bar.” On Sunday Job Seekers (JS) were invited to attend a workshop which allowed us to understand the baseball industry, the fact that we won’t make very much money, and to expect the unexpected. I already knew I was entering a “man’s world” but of the JS there must have been 10-15 females and 500 males. During the workshop Crain was my favorite speaker with a relaxed speech and slide show telling us what would be going on during the week and to go out every night. He was right. Monday through Wednesday was a lot of waiting around for jobs and interviews to be posted. Of the 315 jobs, I applied for 13 and five were posted for interviews. Again I am not complaining because I know how busy the clubs were during the day. We learned quickly that going out was definitely the key. The Marriott is where all of the MLB teams were staying, so that is where we were every night. While wondering the lobby we saw people like Arte Moreno, Tommy Lasorda, and Tony LaRussa (who I stood beside at starbucks and didn’t know it). By Wednesday we started celebrating not having interviews and sat in the lobby during the day too. A lot of business was happening and we were right there to see it. Wednesday night we attended the Gala at Lucas Oil Stadium, Home of the Colts. We took a tour and were able to go right down on the field. I’m not going to lie, it was pretty awesome. After the tour is when I acquired contacts and got the ball rolling. I was able to meet a lot of the front office staff for MiLB clubs and was given business cards with an invite to send my resume through email. From the Gala we went to the Marriott (big surprise there) and then Howl at the Moon, the piano bar in town, to celebrate Megan and Chris’s birthday. While there we were still making contacts. It was by far the most productive day! While I left the Winter Meetings without a job I don’t feel that I completely wasted my time. I went out, I made friends and contacts, and I know that some clubs will be calling later. At the same time I don’t know that I would ever spend $200 again to attend the PBEO job fair. It was a good experience and I learned a lot at the workshop, but I can sell “me” better in person than on a piece of paper in a pile of 200 resumes.
Hello world! December 11, 2009
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