MACON, Ga. – Over the next few weeks MercerBears.com will be speaking with several graduate assistants in the Mercer University Athletics department. These people work behind the scenes while working toward their master's degree. It's our hope that after reading each of these articles, Bear fans will come to appreciate just how important each person is to Mercer success.
Our next profile focuses on
Jesika Moore, a sports information graduate assistant for Mercer Athletics. She sat down with MercerBears.com for a short interview which follows below:
Describe your job description?
I am a sports information director so I work with specific sports to handle their social media, stories, stats, and anything else under the media relations realm. I also help make graphics and videos for my sports to lighten the load on our creative service department. My department is also in charge of updating the Mercer Bears website.
How did you get started in this career field?
I got started in this field through an athletic communications internship my last semester of undergrad at the University of South Florida. They sent an email out looking for interns and after reading the job description, I knew that was what I wanted to do. I always knew I wanted to work in sports but didn't know exactly what until then. I owe it to my supervisors at USF with helping me find my current position at Mercer.
What's a typical day for you?
I don't really have a "typical day". Every day I could be doing something different. If it's a game day, I am making sure I have everything I need for the game. I will make sure I have people to staff the scorebook, tracking sheet, stats, and social media. Non game days are normally when I meet with coaches and see if they need anything or ask who they want to nominate for awards. I'll also try to get ahead for the next game day so everything is ready in case something happens last minute.
What are some challenges you face as a graduate assistant, and what are the rewards?
I think one of the biggest challenges I face as a graduate assistant is balancing schoolwork and my personal life during the season because there are some days where I am in the office until late at night. That throws off things I have to do at home so I end up staying up late so I can make sure the things that have to be done that day are done. The most rewarding part of my job is working with the athletes and allowing them to express their different personalities through social media so people get a feel of the team dynamic.
Fun Facts
- Birthplace: Rome, Ga.
- College: University of South Florida
- Favorite Sports Team other than Mercer:
- MLB: LA Dodgers
- NFL: Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ner's
- NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning
- College: USF, UGA, UNC
- Favorite Phrase: "No one cares. Do better."
- Favorite Social Media: Twitter
