I know I'm going out on a limb here, but would anyone here happen to have a contact of anyone who works at Upper Deck (sports cards and memorabilia) in Carlsbad? Here's my story:

I am graduating from USC's Marshall School of Business on May 14th, and have a offers from Progressive Insurance (claims adjuster), Raytheon (financial analyst - IT), Nissan (consumer affairs), and am still interviewing w/ Pinnacle Entertainment (Casino/Resort Co.). I need to make a decision by the first week of May as to whether I want to accept any of these offers or not.

However, I've always loved sports cards and memorabilia. I've been a card dealer on the side while going to school for 8+ years. It truly is my passion. Recently the Senior Director of Licensing and Acquisitions from Upper Deck came to speak at USC about his career. I spoke to him extensively after his presentation, walked with him to his car, and he ended up taking my resume. He told me that Upper Deck is the kind of company that you can almost only get hired into if you know somebody in the company, and they personally walk your resume in the door. He told me that he would do so and to give him a call to arrange a day when I can come down to the office and check it out. After this, I was ecstatic! I knew in my head and my heart that this is something that I'd like to make a career out of. His job is almost exactly what I've always dreamt of doing.

With my hopes high, I attempt to call and email him over the next few days, with no avail. He's a busy guy so his vmail always says he's out of town. I leave messages and send emails only to get an email back telling me to "give him a shout on Friday."

So with no responses from Upper Deck at all, I'm at a crossroad. I have to decide about my pending offers by the first week of May and am really unemotional about those jobs. I'm sure I'm being cliche and idealistic here, but I don't REALLY don't want to end up in a job that I don't like, and want to try to get it right the first time and find the company that I want to build a career around. I've had a lot of corporate experience through internships during my time at USC (worked at Nissan, Transamerica, and Merrill Lynch), and I've decided that I need to go for an industry that I'm truly passionate about, but the problem about the sports industry is that there aren't as many companies around here to work for. I'm not interested in working for a sport team, but rather a third party business operation.

I plan on attempting to call him until I can actually speak to him one-on-one, without the message tag. I want to first reemphasize that I'm willing to take any position that they'd offer me (salary is no object to me w/ Upper Deck). If nothing is available, I'd even offer to intern under him unpaid. Whatever it takes to "get my foot in the door." This would involve me getting another job to pay for my expenses (rent, etc.), which I'm not even sure I can get by on. Perhaps a job as a waiter or something, any suggestions? I don't even know how much rent costs down there for a studio or something.

So I ask all of you, it's basically a question between stability (accepting one of the job offers that pay decently) or going out on a limb and moving down to San Diego and roughing it financially (this is still assuming I can even get a position or internship there). And what if I can't get a hold of him, should I just accept an offer with one of the other companies, and keep trying, since I don't plan to start until July or August.

I apologize for rambling on, I guess I just needed to vent about this and hopefully get some career advice. So any leads or advice you might have would be greatly appreciated.

Don

 

Well I don't know any connections at Upper Edge but I wanted to congratulate on your graduation! Another fellow Trojan Alumni soon to be! Best of luck in your career path!

-Paul

Class of 2003
Public Policy & Management
School of Policy Planning and Development
University of Southern California
Fight on Trojans!

USC Beta Omega Phi - Upsilon Class: Fall '99

 

For now you should pursue your second favorite career choice that you mentioned above. You will be kicking yourself in the butt if you pass up these other job offers waiting and hoping for that job at Upper Deck.

Sometimes the career you choose might not be exactly what you want to do at the moment but in the long run, things might turn out much better. I for example got my BA in Criminology and was pursuing a career with the Secret Service and was well on my way on achieving this when I got a great job offer in insurance.

In short do not pass up another job offer, if things work out with Upper Deck you can always apologize to the other company and thank them for their time.

Ryan

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by RhinoS2K
Well I don't know any connections at Upper Edge but I wanted to congratulate on your graduation! Another fellow Trojan Alumni soon to be! Best of luck in your career path!

-Paul

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by redhurley