Western Carolina University communication department alumnus, Ryan Carpenter, shared his career journey and insight as an audio professional.
Ryan Carpenter graduated from WCU in May 2024 with a B.S. in communication, concentrating in broadcasting, and a minor in sociology.
A year after graduating, he began working as a primary audio technician (A1) at ESPN in Charlotte, NC, but has had various production experiences.
In his freshman year of high school, he worked at small events and church productions.
He further expanded his production experience in college through his work as an athletic video production assistant for WCU’s ESPN+ production and freelance opportunities with companies like Tupelo Honey.
“It was not until WCU that I began to consider production as a career. I began working for WCU’s sporting events and when I was home, I would help with Fox Sports in Charlotte, NC, where I had my internship,” said Carpenter. “Out of college, I did light freelance in the Charlotte area until I accepted my contract at ESPN.”
Education was valuable to Carpenter as it gave him foundational knowledge, an idea of where to start and ways to improve outside of school.
Carpenter mentioned that networking is invaluable in broadcast.
“You hear it a lot. ‘You need to network,’ but I don’t think people understand. From working with the Panthers to CLT FC, or Fox Sports to local dirt racing, it has all been because of networking,” said Carpenter.
Carpenter further emphasized that one mistake can end a career in TV, advising, “Never burn a single bridge. Always do your best to be a hard worker and be kind to others.”