AfterTMU - Nikki Jeffrey

What attracted you to the Radio and Television Arts program at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)?

I had spoken to many industry professionals and alumni about the Radio and Television Arts program and that it was a fantastic education. I also liked that it was a 4 year program. I was wait-listed the first time I applied. I knew I did not want to study anywhere else, so I took a year to gain more experience, volunteering and working, took night school classes with the Chang School, and reapplied the following year. I was elated to have been accepted! 

Can you share specific skills or experiences gained during your time at TMU that have proven valuable in shaping your career?

After the first few days of first year, it already felt like we were all family. It really was an amazing feeling. We were all social, inclusive, supportive of one another, had similar interests, and such a fun group. I felt like I had found my people! Many of my classmates I have continued to work with in the field and remain friends with today. 

Before attending TMU, I had decided that I wanted to work on-camera. However, the program made you try different things. We had to rotate being switcher, audio, talent, camera operator, writing scripts, producing, lighting etc. Now, when I am working on-camera, I understand framing, what audio levels from me would be best, and cues from my producer. I understand how a control room works and how it’s a true team effort from absolutely everyone. I can mic myself, I’m looking for the best lighting, seeing what is behind me in the frame. Everything and everyone works together and that comes with experience. 

You were a member of the first-ever all-female-run sport broadcast during your time at TMU. What did that accomplishment mean to you?

At the time, I don’t think any of us realized how significant doing that broadcast would be. My classmate came up with the idea after realizing how few women were working in sports at her summer job. Our accomplishment was recognized by TSN, CBC, and many other news outlets and sport hosts. There were articles written about our accomplishments. It meant a lot to us because it showed that we are ready and capable of working all different types of jobs in the industry. Everyone including the switcher, director, replay, camera-ops, audio, talent etc. were female. We shouldn’t be overlooked or questioned whether we deserve to work. To this day, I still feel so proud that I was a part of that broadcast in 2016, and it’s something I reflect on with a full heart. 

Looking back, what advice would you give to female students and alumni starting out in the sports industry?

Unfortunately, sometimes the “Oh, you’re a woman who likes basketball? Name 5 basketball teams then” is true. People will question you. Most of it stems from other people’s insecurities and them projecting. Stay true to who you are and know your stuff. You also will more than likely run into the same people at different workplaces since there is a lot of freelance. So if someone has been nice to work with before, I’ve remembered them and they’ve remembered me.

Among your career accomplishments, which one stands out as your favourite, and why?

There are many accomplishments I am proud of, but I think becoming the Toronto Blue Jays In-Game and Events Host stands out. I was actually working the Olympics at CBC an hour before my audition and had to ask the producer to let me run across the street to do it and come right back. I was trying to run the lines in my head and concentrate on work at the same time. I was nervous thinking that all of these other people auditioning probably prepared all day and I couldn’t. They really tested me, asked me questions I couldn’t get wrong, and tried to throw me off by talking in my ear while I was saying my lines. I mean, any distraction can happen at a live sporting event and you have to be ready. It’s not something that everyone can handle. A few days later, the Blue Jays called to say that I got the job and I was so happy. I thanked that producer a million times for letting me step out to audition. I had worked so hard for many years with minor league teams for little or no pay because I wanted to build up my demo reel and get experience. It had finally paid off. I was called up from the minors to the major league! Absolutely no crazy fan, foul ball, or quick turnaround could distract me or throw me off for the 5 years I worked as their host, and that’s something I really prided myself on. 

There are a lot of TMU grads working in sports media. How has building relationships and being a part of that close knit community helped you in your career?

It’s always awesome to work alongside someone I went to TMU with. It’s a great feeling to see that we are putting our schooling to work and we have that connection while doing so. Some of my work has come from those connections, with friends referring me to jobs or suggesting I apply somewhere. In my experience, my classmates and I always had each other’s backs. It never felt like a competition. We wanted to see each other succeed and ended up working together many times. Everyone is good at different things and we worked in harmony. Some of my classmates have even gone on to create their own businesses and have asked me to work with them on freelance jobs. I went to Fort McMurray, Alberta, with Sportsnet covering The Western Canada Games and recommended 2 classmates to come work with us there.

If you could start all over again, would you change your career path in any way? Why?

No, because the way I did it is something I would recommend to others. During high-school, I was volunteering with Rogers TV as an on-air host. During university, I was interning at TSN, working with Sportsnet and CBC, making connections and gaining experience while I was in school. When it came time to find my internship in fourth year, it was easy! I had already made connections with TSN, and ended up interning for their features department. I still talk and work with those colleagues today. Working with smaller teams was the best way to gain experience for leveling up to work with bigger teams. I wore multiple hats and could do so many more things than just on-camera work. I had put my foot in the door at multiple places early and I’m glad I did it the way I did. 

Any final words of advice you’d like to share?

Being a soccer player, I had always thought working on-camera with Canada Soccer would be a dream come true. I follow the national teams closely. I didn’t know anyone that worked there, so I started doing my research. I cold emailed someone who worked with them and had my fingers crossed for a response. He replied to me, we set up a zoom call, came up with some ideas, and I have been freelance for them since. It taught me to really go for the things you want! Put your name out there, because you never know what could happen.