Hands shot up when Melanie Newman asked audience members if seeing others' career successes on social media ever made them feel inadequate.

“We're almost becoming desensitized to success,” Newman said.

Newman, a radio and television broadcaster and studio host for the Baltimore Orioles, spoke to Oklahoma State University students on Oct. 28 as part of the Patti and Ken Moyes Speaker Series. Although Newman's career journey offered insight into the world of sports broadcasting, her message about navigating uncertainty extended beyond students pursuing careers in sports media.

Dr. Jared Johnson, director of the School of Media and Strategic Communications, looks for guest speakers who represent the industry well and inspire students about their futures.

“We want people who have had big accomplishments in the field, but who are able to still relate to students and help them in their career,” Johnson said. “So when I'm looking for somebody, I'm looking for somebody that fits that mold.”

Newman fit the mold.

Inside the Student Union Theater, she spoke candidly about her nonlinear career path, sharing the successes and setbacks she experienced after graduating from college.

“I had no idea what I was doing after graduation,” Newman said. “I didn't have a blueprint for live sports jobs, especially for a woman.”

Rather than waiting for opportunities, Newman sought them out. She took on odd jobs, navigated difficult work environments and reported on sports she knew little about, learning new skills and adapting to challenges along the way.

“I think the most realistic part of life is being comfortable pivoting,” Newman said.

And for Newman, pivoting has been a defining part of her journey.

From the uncertainties of life after college to packing up her 2005 Nissan Altima and starting over for new job opportunities, Newman has learned to embrace change and make the most of every season.

“I cannot emphasize to you enough the true joy in being where your feet are,” Newman said.

Trinity Kohnen, a senior studying strategic communications from Morris, Oklahoma, identified with Newman’s reflections on uncertainty.

“What made an impact on me was knowing she had struggled while she was still in college, figuring out what she wanted to do,” Kohnen said. “That made me feel a little bit better about the direction I'm heading in.”

Sports broadcasting has historically been a male-dominated field. Despite the challenges women face in the industry, Newman was determined to break through barriers with hard work and perseverance.

"I became more seasoned but kept in mind to not be jaded in the process," Newman said. “I was still navigating the waters of being a woman in this space.”

Newman continues to pave the way for other women aspiring to careers in sports broadcasting, an industry that Johnson says benefits from diverse perspectives.

“If you look at the history of our series, we're trying to show that this industry is changing and evolving, and it's not just for men anymore,” Johnson said. “Women can and do succeed, and we want to give the women in our program someone to look at and say, ‘Hey, I can do that.’"

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Story By: Rachel Teran | rachel.teran10@okstate.edu