Kristen Shilton knew she wanted to be a sports journalist when she graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a degree in English. She explored her options and determined that the best plan to achieve her goal was to study Sports Journalism at Loyalist College.
By enrolling in Loyalist’s post-graduate program, she learned how to use her writing skills effectively in a journalistic style rather than an academic one. After completing the program in 2011, she continued her studies at Syracuse University in New York where she obtained her Masters in Magazine, Newspaper and Online Journalism.
Kristen is now an assistant in the communications department of the Chicago Wolves, the farm team for the Vancouver Canucks.
“Prior to working with the Wolves, I interned in the communications department of USA Football in Indianapolis,” said Kristen. “Now, I love living in Chicago. The energy in the city, especially in regard to sports, is fantastic and the opportunities are endless. I’m looking forward to the upcoming season of Bears, Blackhawks and Northwestern games.”
Since joining the Chicago Wolves in their off-season, Kristen has been working with the Media Relations Director, researching former players and assisting in creating and managing content for the website. When the sport resumes, she will be covering all of the team’s away games, writing web stories and contributing to the Wolves’ monthly magazine Breakaway.
“By immersing myself in sports journalism at Loyalist, I developed a solid foundation in the field, which has been the jumping-off point for me in everything I have done since then. We covered print, radio and broadcast, all sports, all day, every day. Going to Syracuse without this foundation would have been difficult. It really prepared me to take the next step.”
Now Kristen’s goal is to live in as many different places as she can while working within the sports industry.
“I’m only 23 years old. Over the past 18 months I’ve covered lacrosse, baseball, hockey, football, basketball, swimming, rowing, track and field and more. I have also written about every level of sports for a variety of platforms such as print, magazine and online. I’ve lived in three different cities, all with major sports bases. Right now I’m determined to continue gaining experience, making connections and being inspired by what I do. That’s what’s most important to me, to be happy in my work – and right now, I love it.”
Loyalist Sports Journalism is an intensive one-year post-graduate program specializing in sports broadcast journalism. Students gain skills in reporting, interviewing, editing, shooting and writing with an emphasis on the radio and TV media. They receive on-air experience at 91X, the College radio station, and the College television newscast. Prior to graduation, students also complete a 140-hour internship at a television or radio outlet or in a field related to sports journalism. For information, please contact Mary Jollimore at mjollimore@loyalistc.on.ca or Tony Orr at torr@loyalistc.on.ca or by phone at 613-969-1913. To apply for September, please register at ontariocolleges.ca.