A champion of future storytellers: Alicia Szeto, ESPN NEXT production assistant, on the impact of attending AAJA
🎶 Siri, play the SportsCenter theme song. 🎶
While some would say the soundtrack to their life consists of songs from their childhood or young adulthood, for Alicia Szeto, production assistant in the ESPN NEXT program, ESPN was the ever-present background music to her life. From a young age, she was always watching and absorbing, from live games to long-form stories told in only a way ESPN could.
After working for a professional sports team, she decided it was time to push herself toward more growth in her professional career, and that led her to attend last year’s Asian American Journalist’s Association (AAJA) conference in Austin, Texas. She attended panels and sessions and then connected with an ESPN recruiter. Now, after a year with ESPN, she says she hasn’t just shaped sports stories - they’ve shaped her too. We asked her about her own story and what she would share with those attending the conference this year.
Last year, you attended AAJA and it led you to working with ESPN. Why did you attend the conference, and how did you connect with ESPN while you were there?
I was in a season of growth and called it my “summer of getting mentally ripped.” I made it a personal mission to be proactive and use my natural curiosity to learn. Later on, it meant cold-messaging people across the sports industry - NBA, WNBA, NFL, you name it - simply to learn from people and their unique journeys.
One of those conversations was with Howard Chen, an NBA International Producer at ESPN. He quickly recognized how eager I was to learn and told me about last year’s AAJA conference which happened to be in Austin where I was living at the time. Between his recommendation and my quest for continuous learning and how to communicate better, attending felt like a no-brainer.
What I didn’t expect was how strong of a presence ESPN had at the conference. It caught me by surprise in the best way! After a packed day of panels and conversations, I’d heard about a career center where companies had booths set up, and I figured I’d swing by. I walked into the convention as a learner and walked out with a literal golden ticket: an invitation to ESPN’s candidate reception. That invitation wasn’t just a piece of paper - it was an opening, an unexpected door that led me into rooms filled with people who believed in the power of stories, perspectives waiting to be heard, and in the value of genuine connection.
Did you already have an interest in ESPN or any connection to the brand prior?
Absolutely. I grew up watching ESPN, and it was so influential in shaping my childhood. I lived in a college town where sports was the heartbeat of the town, but it was ESPN that became the bridge, connecting me to the wider world of sports and beyond. It introduced me to what would later become my favorite athletes and teams, and that’s when my love for sports was truly set aflame.
I would watch it every day, wake up to it, even fall asleep to it. I could describe ESPN as the soundtrack to my life, or better yet, the ever-present backdrop to my life.
As I got older, that fascination only deepened. I came to realize that what I truly loved wasn’t just the competition, it was the storytelling. The ability to make people feel something through sports. That’s when I knew this was something I wanted to be part of. I’ve always been enamored with the community aspect of sports and its transformative power to bring people together and give people hope. And to me, ESPN has always been the gold standard of that mission. I remember thinking, “Working there would be a dream.” It’s a beautiful pureness in how sports can connect us, inspire us, and uplift us and ESPN has always been at the heart of that.
Watching ESPN and working there is a different experience. What has it been like being a part of the company over the last year?
Being part of ESPN has been such a formative experience. Growing up, I only saw the polished final product - the highlight reels, the powerful features, the seamless storytelling. Now, I witness firsthand the dedication and teamwork behind seconds on a screen. The mornings, quick pivots, and split-second decisions reveal a level of care and collaboration that deepens my respect for the craft. Being part of the team that millions watch has been both humbling and electrifying. Storytelling here isn’t accidental, it’s purposeful and the people we do it for is at the heart of it. What may last seconds on air may take hours of coordination and communication between people, all connected by a shared purpose.
What’s your role with ESPN? Tell us what a typical day looks like for you.
I work in production on NFL Live based at ESPN headquarters in Bristol. Most days start with our morning production meeting, where the team comes together to discuss the day's show and generate ideas. From there, I shift into execution, whether that means crafting visual elements, helping write the script, or supporting the show live from the studio.
The best part? No two days are alike. It’s a space where creativity fuels collaboration and every moment challenges you to adapt, think fast, and stay connected to the why behind the content we create.
What has been the most memorable moment so far?
When they announced that our show had won an Emmy, the show’s first! It was a surreal moment that confirmed what I had known but now had public acknowledgement of: my teammates and producers are the absolute best in the business. I’m tremendously grateful to learn from the best of the best every single day. Our team is very talented and supportive. It’s a true blessing to show up to work and have the chance to learn from such amazing people and grow alongside them.
What makes ESPN a great place to work?
It’s truly a place where passion fuels purpose. If you have an idea, no matter how audacious or abstract you think it is, there are people here who will help bring it to life. There’s this culture of collaboration and creativity that makes it feel like anything’s possible.
Plus, if you’re a die-hard sports fan, you’ll never run out of people to converse, dream, and build with. It’s a place where your love for sports isn’t just understood, it’s shared. You grow through the work, but also through the people here.
Circling back to the conferences, your career path changed by attending. Why do you think it’s important for ESPN to attend the journalism conferences?
It’s incredibly important because “emerging talent” doesn’t always look one way. There’s no one-size-fits-all mold that makes someone great for ESPN, and if the company isn't in those rooms, at conferences such as AAJA, it might miss out on some amazing voices and stories.
Accessibility, opportunity, and education matter. When ESPN shows up in these spaces, it sends a clear message: “We’re not just watching from afar, rather, we care enough to show up and invest.” I’ve always believed that when people feel seen and appreciated, they go above and beyond. Attending conferences is one way to show that appreciation early-on to potential employees and lifelong fans.
Will you be there this year? What are you looking forward to?
Yes! I’ll be at AAJA this year as an ESPN Ambassador and it feels like a full-circle moment. Just a year ago, I was an attendee on my quest for continuous learning, eager to soak up every bit of knowledge like a sponge. Now, I return on the other side as a representative of the company that believed in me, and I couldn’t be more excited. I’m especially looking forward to returning to the Pacific Northwest, where I grew up in Oregon, and have the chance to make an impact in the very community that shaped me and my love for sports. Being able to give back to that same community means everything to me.
More than anything, I want to share my passion for using sports as a vehicle to empower and uplift others and keep that spirit alive by shaping the programs and culture that champion the next generation of storytellers. It’s a remarkable opportunity to pour into people and make sure their voices aren’t just heard, but truly elevated, as they become the ones to move the world through sport. For me, AAJA is so much more than just a conference; it’s a space to grow, connect, and give back. I’m truly honored to return and be part of it once again.
For those attending this year, how would you suggest they take advantage of all the conference has to offer?
Do your research ahead of time. Identify panels, workshops, and companies that genuinely spark your interest, even those you might not know much about. It’s invaluable to broaden your knowledge and perspective. You can never be too well-rounded, and you never know what insights you’ll walk away with or who you might meet. AAJA offers a wealth of knowledge and resources, so map out your schedule intentionally. Be deliberate about what you want to experience so you can absorb as much as you’d like. And if a panel or session resonates with you, don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to the panelists or company representatives afterward. This step, often overlooked, can be a game changer.
Above all, if you don’t know something, just ask. One of the most important takeaways I learned from the conference was how supportive and kind the people are. Most are more than willing to answer questions or point you in the right direction. There is real courage in admitting what you don’t know. It shows a pure willingness to learn and genuine humility. And people are largely receptive to that mindset and respect it. Life’s doors often open so subtly, you might not even realize you’ve stepped through until you look back.
What advice would you give to others looking to have a great career at ESPN?
Never stop being curious. Everyone you meet has something to teach you, and more often than not, you may leave them with something valuable too. That mutual exchange has shaped every step of my journey. Be curious about people, the industry, and the deeper mechanics behind the work.
And above all, express appreciation to those who’ve helped you along the way, poured into you, believed in you and even challenged you because they have shaped you into who you are; both professionally and personally. None of us reach where we want to be alone.
With that said, thank you to everyone who has played a role in my journey. Your impact is immeasurable and continues to lives in the way I show up every day. I wouldn’t be the person I am, and will continue to become with you, thank you.
