From Trainee to Full-Time: Nick Gosen

The path to a full-time position in professional baseball is different for everyone. Long and winding with many teams and levels for some, short and direct with the same team for others.
For a few members of the Gwinnett Stripers' front office, their journeys to full-time status with the club started with a pivotal stint as a Trainee.
Trainees are employed each season from January through September, and work alongside a specific department head to ensure off-field success while also learning and developing important career skills. Previous Trainees have worked in Stadium Operations, Ticket Sales, Corporate Sales, Sports Turf Management, Creative Services, Media Relations, Community and Promotions, Social Media and more.
Part three of this Q&A series features Nick Gosen, who joined Gwinnett as the Creative Services Trainee in 2017 and was promoted to Creative Services Coordinator in October 2017.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What were your responsibilities as the Creative Services Trainee?
My main responsibilities were focused on creating video and motion graphics content for our in-house and MiLB.TV broadcast production. I was also responsible for creating television commercial spots that aired in the metro-Atlanta area.
Had you worked in sports before joining Gwinnett?
Before joining the Stripers I was an assistant video producer for the Atlanta Falcons during the 2016 season. Before moving to the Atlanta area, I worked gamedays for the Great Lakes Loons (Class-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers) and the Saginaw Spirit (Ontario Hockey League).
What were some of the biggest things you learned as a Trainee?
I was definitely able to take my graphics and video skillset to the next level. I learned about all of the essentials that go into putting on a good show for the fans.
What were your favorite parts about being a Trainee?
I would say my favorite part was being able to see fan reactions to the videos that I created. It was a very rewarding payoff for all the hard work.
Was there anything that surprised you about being a Trainee that you didn't know beforehand?
I realized how many long hours go into the job and the numerous roles a person fulfills when you work a season in baseball.
As a Trainee, what was your interaction with the full-time staff like?
It was a positive experience. Creative Services communicates with every department in the ballpark, so it was good experience being able to work with all the different departments and see how they operate.
Moving up to the Creative Services Coordinator role, how much different or expanded are your responsibilities now?
My role now has more of an emphasis on coordinating the scripting and producing of our in-game presentation and MiLB.TV broadcast. I also create many of our print materials and giveaways (pocket schedules, magnet schedules, t-shirts, etc.) as well as designing elements around the ballpark (tickets, signage, concessions menus, etc.). I now oversee our video production part-time gameday staff as well.
How did your experience as a Trainee prepare you for your position?
My time as a Trainee helped me see and understand the responsibilities that go into being full-time in baseball. I tried to soak in everything I could during the season just so I could learn and take away as much information as possible.
What advice would you give to someone applying for the Stripers' Trainee Program?
It's a lot of hours and dedication, but you'll come out of it a much stronger asset and it will help you greatly in the future.
The Gwinnett Stripers are currently accepting applications for the 2019 Trainee Program. Submit your application via Teamwork Online.