Meet Taryn Schmidt, alumna of the Integrated Marketing Communication Master’s Program.
Name: Taryn Schmidt
Degree: Master’s in Integrated Marketing Communication
Hometown: Weston, FL
Current City: Orlando, FL
Job: Manager of Live Stream Operations at NBC Golf Channel
Meet Taryn
Who do you admire and why?
I’ve always really admired my parents. Their selflessness by providing my brother and I with endless opportunities allowed us to become whatever we wanted to be. Every decision they made in their lives led me to where I am now, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
What Jeopardy category could you clear, no problem?
I’ll take Netflix Binge Watching for $600, Alex.
Favorite office snack?
Does coffee count as a snack?
Best account to follow on social media?
Chrissy Teigen, FOR SURE.
Best piece of advice you’ve received?
Being told to read “Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg. Every word written in that book shifted my way of thinking about both my professional and personal life.
The Career
Tell us about your job:
As the Manager of Live Stream Operations for Golf Channel, it is my job to coordinate, maintain and drive live golf tournament streaming on our website and apps. The Golf Channel itself only has 24 hours of usable space to fill a day, so there has to be a decision about what tournaments get shown on air and which ones can’t be broadcasted. With digital streaming on the other hand, we can provide our users with full coverage start to finish of multiple tournaments at once. The growth of streaming services across the board is outpacing that of cable television, so my job is not only to meet the demand of this growth consumer habit, but provide a quality user experience as well.
What does your average day look like?
My job works more in week-long sprints than individual days. A typical week has about four golf tournaments we are streaming from around the world, which translates into 15 or so live streams throughout the week. There are a million little things that go into it, but the big picture is that we build our schedule based on available tour coverage and work with the Golf Channel’s broadcast schedule to decide when coverage will switch from liner (on TV) to digital (on our website/apps) and vice versa. I work with teams in Orlando and Stamford, CT to coordinate streaming schedules and implement contingency plans when there are weather or other delays out on the field. The beginning half of my week consists of a lot of planning, and the latter half is solving problems as they arise.
How did your education prepare for your career?
My education from Florida State is the reason I have confidence in my career. My undergraduate degree in Digital Media Production gave me so much hands on production experience that I felt I had been working in the industry for years by the time I graduated. My masters degree in Integrated Marketing Communication provided me with insight into consumer habits and research methods that have made understanding the ever-growing world of streaming a much simpler task. I owe a huge part of where I am today to my professors and colleagues at FSU. How had working in your industry changed the way you look at the world?
Share a notable (funny, embarrassing, exciting) experience you’ve had at work:
On my first day of the job, they bring all the “nUbies” into the golf simulator to try a long-drive competition. I stepped up for my turn and completely missed the golf ball. I was the only one. It was cool.
Who do you look to for inspiration?
I often turn to books written by prominent figures in different industries when I need inspiration. I treat them like textbooks! Highlighting and bookmarking certain pages I want to come back to, even taking notes sometimes.
How do you handle work-life balance?
Put as much effort into your relationships & friendships as you do your job! Having hobbies and activities to do with friends outside of work is vital to maintaining a happy lifestyle, and that translates back into your work.
What advice would you give yourself in college?
Do more! I felt that I had a very full schedule in college, but now that I don’t have access to all the free events and movies and shows all over campus I wish I had made room for more when I was there.
