Exit Interview: Creative Services Trainee Tom Kaufman

Creative Services Trainee and Bronx, New York native Tom Kaufman last week became the third of the Gwinnett Stripers' nine trainees to accept a full-time position in sports.
Kaufman, who attended Buffalo State College in New York, is headed back to his stomping grounds to work for the Buffalo Bills. His last day with the Stripers is August 19.
Media Relations Trainee Dan Reiner sat down with Tom to reflect on his experience with the Stripers and how it prepared him for his new role with the Bills.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Dan Reiner: What's the position you've accepted?
Tom Kaufman: I'll be taking a Video Producer role with the Buffalo Bills. My responsibilities will include creating video content for their in-house video boards, as well as their social media channels. My job will be to create a fun, exciting atmosphere through video.
DR: How does that compare to what you've done here with the Stripers?
TK: I won't be relied upon to be in the control room like I was here. We have a gameday staff here that comes in. When it comes to my job in Buffalo, it's solely focused on creating content. They've got their own gameday staff, they have their own gameday shooters. It'll be cool to have a bit of an emphasis on social media.
DR: You have experience working for the Atlanta Falcons, but what's something you learned here, working with Creative Services Coordinator Nick Gosen, that you can carry with you to Buffalo?
TK: What I learned is that when the pressure's really on you, and you have to perform, to just stay calm, cool and collected. Nick and I are a team of guys that are doing the job of five guys. But if you have creativity and you have the drive, you can put together any sort of show you want, no matter what level of sports you're at. You could be Single-A, Triple-A, you could be a Minor League hockey team, you could be the NFL. If you've got the passion, the drive, the creativity and the love for what you do, you will be able to make magic happen.
DR: What are your favorite memories from your time here in Gwinnett?
TK: My fondest memory is forging a real relationship with Nick Gosen. That guy is talented, and this organization's production experience is intact with a guy like him. Another, on top of meeting Nick, is building a friendship with (former Corporate Partnerships Trainee) Kevin Brannon. He gave me great life advice and is just a phenomenal person. I also appreciated all the opportunities, especially "Off the Hook" (pregame report), being able to be the face of a show that gets put up on the videoboard. I was a radio guy in Buffalo, so I've never really gotten an experience like that. To be able to have that on my résumé, I feel like it's solid content at any level.
DR: What are you most looking forward to with your new position?
TK: I'm most looking forward to a fresh start. Even though I'm from Buffalo, it'll be a new feel. Before I left Buffalo, I had no professional sports experience - I was an assistant gym teacher making $11 an hour. I felt like I was wasting my talent and my opportunity. I can take that proverbial "stop and smell the roses" moment and just say "I've made it."