Zoey Duchene at the Celebrating Women in Sports Day at Bears Training Camp. Photo courtesey of Zoey Duchene.
Ashley Montesdeoca captured wisdom and insights at the Women in Sports Media Expo. Photo courtesy of Ashley Montesdeoca.
Breanna Palmer poses with a Mike Ditka statue. Photo courtesy of Breanna Palmer.
Taylor Gaston grabs a shot with the Chicago Bears logo. Photo courtesy of Taylor Gaston.
Ceci Gomoll gives a glimpse of the materials shared at the Women in Sports Media Expo. Photo courtesy of Ceci Gomoll.
Student Asia Hall meets Chicago Bears Chairman George McCaskey at the Women in Sports Media Expo. Photo courtesy of Asia Hall.
Several College of Communication students joined their peers from across Chicago for the Chicago Bears Women in Sports Media Career Expo on Aug. 13, part of the team's inaugural Celebrating Women in Sports Day during training camp. The event highlighted career paths across sports media, from journalism and broadcasting to photography, marketing and executive leadership.
The day's focus on inspiration struck a chord with senior journalism student Ashley Montesdeoca, who said the experience “solidified how much I want to be in this field. I felt right at home."
Students participating in events like the Women in Sports Media Career Expo emphasizes the impact of connecting classroom learning with real-world opportunities. Adjunct professor of public relations and advertising Christina P. C. Steed explains,“engaging directly with professionals at a beloved Chicago sports franchise gave these students not only valuable insights but also a sense of belonging in an industry they want to pursue."
A popular expo session was the Sports Media Panel featuring media professionals Sheila Oliver (FOX32 Chicago), Courtney Cronin (ESPN), Micaeh Johnson (Chicago Bears) and Gabby Hadjuk (Chicago Bears). The session left public relations and advertising graduate student Breanna Palmer feeling more determined than ever. “Each of these ladies shared a valuable piece of advice that made me feel more confident and determined to continue working toward my dream job," Palmer said. “The best advice I'll carry with me is to trust myself and follow my own unique path to success."
Attendees also valued the smaller group discussions the expo offered. Sophomore journalism major Zoey Duchene was inspired by a fireside chat with Bears content producer Jasmine Baxter and NFL Network's Stacey Dales, who encouraged students to surround themselves with the right people. “It really put an emphasis on how important everyone is on the team," Duchene said.
Recent Sports Communication graduate Taylor Gaston gained one-on-one mentorship from Bears photographer Molly Kaiser, who shared insights with technical skills and also gave her encouragement. “She shared her journey, showed me different cameras and lenses, and encouraged me to stay connected. That conversation made a big impact on me," Gaston said.
For sophomore journalism student Ceci Gomoll, meeting professionals with long-term careers in sports media was especially motivating. “It was amazing to hear from someone in the field I dream of being in who never gave up and finally received the opportunity they deserved," she said.
The overall event was a powerful affirmation for junior Asia Hall, a film and television major and sports communication minor. “At the very beginning, we were told that if we were in the room, that meant someone believed in us," Hall shared. “That, along with talking with women like Sheila Oliver reminded me there's more than one path to the sports world."
The expo underscored the importance of representation and access in shaping the future of sports media. “These experiences not only allow our students to network with professionals and get a taste of the sports industry, but they also aim to address gender disparities in sports," explains Vincent Peña, assistant professor of journalism and sports communication. “They get to see firsthand what possibilities exist when they wrap up their careers at DePaul."
For these College of Communication students, the Women in Sports Media Career Expo was more than learning and professional networking — it was a clear reminder that their voices and talents belong in the industry.
Learn more about the students' experiences at the Chicago Bears Women in Sports Media Career Expo on our CMN social media: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn.
“How the Bears celebrated women and girls in sports at training camp"
by Gabby Hajduk