Julia Atkins (MSJ21)

Shooter and Editor at Madison Square Garden Sports

Tell us about your career path. How did you get where you are today?

After studying Sociology and Film at Tufts University, I attended Medill as part of the Sports Cohort. During my time at Medill, I fell in love with documentary filmmaking and live entertainment work. After an internship with the Chicago Bulls, I knew I wanted to work in the sports industry as a videographer/producer. Upon graduation from Medill, I worked as an Associate Producer at Overtime, producing docuseries on young basketball proteges, as well as producing podcasts in the sport betting field. After one year at Overtime, I had the opportunity to move over to professional sports. I now work for MSG Sports as a Shooter/Editor for the Knicks and Rangers organizations, and I couldn’t be more grateful. The Rangers are currently in the Eastern Conference Finals. I’m genuinely working my dream job.

What are your main responsibilities in your current role?

My main responsibilities include filming and editing games and practices for the Knicks and Rangers. I work on our content team, and everything my peers and I film/edit goes up on the Knicks’ and Rangers’ social media platforms.

How has your Medill training helped you in your career?

Medill transformed my career. Without Medill, I would have never discovered my passion for visual storytelling. Professor Craig Duff’s documentary course allowed me to familiarize myself with video equipment, including lighting, audio, and video. I also learned how to edit long-form content in an engaging way.

How has the Northwestern Medill network helped you advance in your career?

J.A. Adande was incredibly influential in my career. His shared knowledge of the sports media world left me better equipped to take the next step in my sports career. He also connected me to my internship with the Chicago Bulls, which led to my interest in working for a team.

How can your industry be more inclusive and representative of society?

My industry as a whole is still predominantly male, especially in professional male sports leagues. I am grateful to have so many female coworkers at MSG on the content team, but I would love to see more women in leadership positions across the sports world.  

How have your identities influenced the way you navigate your professional career?

I’m a young woman from New York. I grew up with parents who pushed me to be confident and fight for the future I want. They both epitomize the phrase “hard work always pays off in the end.” I take my upbringing with me to work everyday, and I allow my values to guide me through my professional career. At first I felt small as a young woman working for a massive sports corporation. In time, I’ve learned to speak up when I feel unheard, pitch ideas, take on challenges that I might not always be prepared for, and accept the mistakes I make along the way.

What advice do you have for someone considering Medill?

I don’t think there’s a more hands-on program out there. I wanted real-world experience that I could take with me into a professional role after graduating. Medill gave me that and so much more. Because of the skills I learned and experiences I had at Medill, I was able to graduate with solid job offers and confidence moving forward. I think, most importantly, I learned that work can be fun. I really enjoy what I do, and I have Medill to thank for that. If I hadn’t gone to Medill, I can safely say I wouldn’t be working where I am today and having the time of my life.