Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooklyn Dean
Hi Brooklyn, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hi! I am Brooklyn Dean. I am a Crosslake, MN native who is a Minnesota girl through and through! My professional background involves a lot of social media, and a lot of sports (especially hockey…super shocking for a girl raised in the State of Hockey, I know;) ) I guess you could say the road to where I am now all leads back to Dec 16th, 2012 — my first hockey game [picture from first game attached]. From the moment that game came to a close, I was hooked. And as cheesy as it sounds, my life was changed in that moment. Since that December day, hockey has been a part of my everyday life and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
When the time inevitably came in my junior year of high school to decide “what I wanted to do with my life“ I found myself reeling a bit. What DID I want to do with my life? Some people are passionate about science, some history, and others want to be doctors. I found myself realizing I wasn’t passionate about any of that stuff, the only thing I was passionate about was sports. Surely that’s not going to work, right? I wish I could go back and tell 16-year-old me that it would all work out in just a few years.
Fast forward, I am now about to be 22 years old, I am engaged to a former hockey player and current hockey coach, I currently work as the Digital Media Manager for the Iowa Wild hockey team — an extension of the Minnesota Wild organization — and I have worked for the University of Minnesota Athletic department and Minnesota Wild as a Social Media intern. So when I say our lives revolve around hockey, I mean it! So, how did I get here? Well, passion, dedication, hard work, and a TON of great mentors along the way.
After taking a photography class in high school and falling in love, I began to take my camera with me to all the hockey games that I attended every weekend as a fan. As college decision time inched closer, I began to think back to my many weekends spent at the Breezy Point Ice Arena and pinpoint potential interests — what I determined was maybe I should do something related to photography, advertising, and marketing. From there I started to do informational interviews with professionals in the communication field to see if it would be a fit. While it seemed interesting, I was hesitant to commit to a major that I had no experience in. How could I be sure this was going to be a fit for me? After graduating high school with my AA degree and shaving off 60 college credits ahead of time, the last thing I wanted to do was “waste that” by having to change majors.
Growing up, my family and I would travel on down-and-back trips to Minneapolis to watch the Minnesota Golden Gophers play sports. That alone had always made me want to go to the University of Minnesota, so I was thrilled to learn about their Strategic Communication major, which allowed us to get into the major first, get some experience under our belt, and then decide which track to go down. Right away my freshman year I got involved as a game day Social Media Intern with the athletics department and joined the Sport Management Association (SMA), which gave me great experience and introduced me to a ton of amazing people who have continued to support me and help me advance in my career to this day.
In my second year at the University of Minnesota, I took on heightened roles as an in-office Social Media Intern and the Social Media Coordinator for SMA as a board member. These roles gave me valuable leadership skills and pushed me out of my comfort zone. Going into my final semester 2.5 years into my time at the U, a friend brought to my attention the Minnesota Wild Social Media Intern job posting. As a lifelong fan of this team (see attached photos for little Minnesota Wild fan Brooklyn) I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work for my dream team in my dream role. But what are the odds I get it? There’s no way I can make it through with that many applicants. Well, I made it through. And I had the best experience of my life. I learned so much, I gained the best mentors (and friends) in the world, and I achieved my dream…at 20 years old. What else could you ask for? As amazing as all that is, it leaves you wondering, now what? I’ll tell you what — you make new goals, and you go all out for them again!
Next, I set my sights on a full-time role with the Minnesota affiliate, the Iowa Wild, and that’s where I am now! So what’s next for me you may ask? Time will tell, but right now I am just trying to teach myself to enjoy the moment and where I am now.
My advice to students currently going through their career search journey is that no matter what career path you want to go down, no matter what industry you want to work in, you have to WORK for it. And you have to love what you’re doing. Skills and knowledge are great, but they can be learned. Your love for what you are going to spend the majority of your days doing, can’t be. And you can’t do it all by yourself. Surround yourself with people who want you to succeed and will vouch for you. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my people! To all the students out there feeling lost, wondering if it’ll work out — it will. It may take some time, but it will.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Imposter syndrome and self doubt are SO real. Especially when you go to school with all the people fighting for the same jobs and careers that you are. It can be hard to not compare yourself to others and wonder if you’re good enough, but don’t just brush off compliments and don’t brush off your achievements. Learn to appreciate your wins, no matter how big or small!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I work in the marketing and communication field in the sports industry, or even more specifically, I work as a Social Media Professional. While I have covered many other sports, I specialize in covering hockey due to my extensive knowledge and background in the sport.
I would say I am best known for graduating college in 2.5 years and landing my dream role while in college/fresh out of college, which also happens to be what I am most proud of! Going into college I was a very shy, introverted individual who cringed at the thought of having to go up to people and ask them a question. Now, I have given presentations in front of rooms full of people, I ask our players to do things such as create content for me on a daily basis, and I have tons of connections I have made from going out of my way to talk to people. I am proud of that, and I am proud that I pushed myself to chase my dreams. I grew up wanting to go to the University of Minnesota and work for their athletic department, wanting to work in sports, and wanting to work for the Minnesota Wild and I achieved them all.
What sets me apart from others is my drive, my determination, my passion and love for sports and my family, my innate organizational skills, and my intrinsic motivation that always pushes me to be the best I can be.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Remember, everyone’s path is different. Just because someone does it one way, doesn’t mean you can’t do it another and still succeed. Don’t give up, keep pushing, and you will achieve your goals!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brooklynmdean33.wixsite.com/brooklyn-dean
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooklynn.deann/
- Other: https://gondola.cc/brooklynmdean33
