When sports fans tune in to check out a big game, there’s a good chance they’re seeing Delaney Letts’ handiwork.
The class of 2020 alumna is currently a graphics operator with Mobile TV Group, meaning she’s part of the team that ensures the stats, interesting facts and key moments are displayed on-screen for sports fans taking in the game via broadcast.
Letts’ path to this point wasn’t straightforward, but her time at Colorado Mesa University prepared her well for the career she’s pursuing now. She always had an interest in video production and broadcasting — CMU’s Mass Communication program was a natural fit.
“The main draw was knowing they [CMU] had this awesome video program,” Letts explained.
Letts said the small class size and hands-on learning opportunities gave her great experiences for her resume and set her up well to transition into a career. She was active in several clubs and helped produce for CMU-TV, the on-campus television station.
“I did more camera work my freshman and sophomore year and by my junior and senior year, I was directing and producing a show I created,” she said.
Letts noted the practicality of the classwork gave her knowledge and skills she uses everyday in her career now. One professor in particular, Instructor of Mass Communication Greg Mikolai, taught Letts how to use the equipment and software that gave her a headstart in her broadcasting career.
2020 proved to be one of the toughest job markets in recent memory for new graduates. Letts was in the middle of an interview process for a social media job with the Colorado Rockies when the COVID-19 pandemic began causing disruptions.
While she had to transition for a bit and work outside broadcasting, she was determined to get back on the career path she studied. Letts believes the real-world assignments and classes helped her break into the field during a tough moment.
Along with her full-time work, Letts has freelanced with every professional sports team in Denver.
While her path to this point may have had an unexpected start, Letts' time at CMU gave her the skills and experience to pursue the career she’s wanted since high school.