interview by Wendel Sloan
Communication Services
"As boring as it sounds, my hobby is my job!" – Shelby Kirkes
Editor's Note: Shelby Kirkes is new Athletics Marketing and Events Manager (replacing Sara Hill). In the interview below, she discusses her work, life and aspirations.
Q. When did you begin working at ENMU?
I began working at ENMU my freshman year, Fall 2011 in the athletics department as a work study for Norma Stroik. Towards the end of the 2013 summer I received a call from Sara Hill, the marketing and events manager, offering me to take her interim position while she was going to be on maternity leave. I loved working in the marketing office and continued to work for Sara the following two years. Sara recently resigned from the position to follow her husband to Florida under Air Force orders, which opened the doors for me to apply.
Q. What are the main duties of your job?
My main duties entail coordinating and implementing marketing and promotions for all men's and women's athletics, I overseeing all game day operations and event management, managing all marketing and publicity; print, radio, social media, etc., concept and management in the design and distribution of all promotional materials, solicitation procurement and retention of corporate partners in conjunction with athletic director, and cultivate and oversee internships for marketing and public relations students.
I coordinate and implement marketing and promotions for all men's and women's athletics
Q. What have you enjoyed most about your job, and what have been the biggest challenges?
I enjoy almost every aspect of this job, but my most enjoyed task is playing music during games. I love watching the effects of what I play help the fans be more involved in what is happening on the court/field. Anything I can personally do to encourage students and fans to get on their feet and cheer for their fellow student-athletes gives me chills every time. The biggest challenge I have faced in this position is that the schedule gets very hectic during both the fall and spring seasons, there is little between one event to the other so we are always in a rush to work the next game/event.
Q. What were you doing before you came to ENMU, and what other jobs have you held?
I began working towards my field at ENMU my freshman year. However, I spent a summer living in Oklahoma City where I worked at the Colcord Hotel. It was at the Colcord that I realized I wanted to gear my career towards events after shadowing the event manger of the hotel.
Q. What are your degrees and majors, and what activities did you participate in college?
I recently earned my Bachelor of Science in Communication with emphasis in public relations. I am now beginning my first semester working towards my master's degree, also in communication.
I came to ENMU on the rodeo team in 2011 but resigned at the end of my first semester. After that, I began to seriously aim my free time towards my career goals, spending most evenings in the office learning what I could about the marketing and events field.
Q. Where were you born, raised, and what was your life like growing up?
I was born and raised in Carlsbad, New Mexico, into a rodeo family. We spent almost every weekend on the road as a family. I have one older sister, Jessie, and a younger brother, Grady, both of which are still doing rodeo. My dad also ropes in his spare time. Family was always a large part of my life and always will be. My sister is recently married and living in Dallas, Texas, finishing up her master's degree. My brother is beginning his freshman year of high school.
Q. What are your hobbies?
As boring as it sounds, my hobby is my job! I love spending weekends working games with the student-athletes. When I am not at work, I enjoy being outside.
I would like to claim that stand-up paddle boarding is my hobby, though I've only done it once.
Q. What is your ultimate career goal?
My ultimate career goal is to be the marketing and events director at a large Division I school (Duke, Kentucky, etc.), or for a large sports franchise such as the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Diego Padres.
I'm not picky which sport I go into, though baseball and basketball have come to be my favorites.
Q. What gives your life meaning? Besides career goals, what else do you hope to accomplish?
Being able to see the success that has come out of my work ethic and perseverance gives my life meaning. When I can see a change that I have had a personal part in is when I truly feel like I am making a difference.
For now, career goals are my main focus. I am twenty-two and sitting where I want; my life goals are my career goals.
Q. What is your general impression of Portales, and ENMU?
As I begin my 5th year in Portales, I have to admit that it has grown on me. I enjoy the small town community and the friendliness of the people that live here. While it isn't my goal to live in Portales forever, I will enjoy the time I'm here with the people I have met and look up to.
