Content creator: My experience volunteering for the USA Special Olympics 2018

Photo by Katie Kales

This last July I was presented with the unique chance to volunteer on the social media team for the Special Olympics USA Games, in Seattle. Intrigued by such an opportunity, I applied for a media operations position through the Public Relations Society of America and was immediately plugged into a group of media professionals.

When I first arrived in Seattle, I checked into the volunteer check-in station, ready to pick up my credentials and volunteer t-shirt. Instead, I was greeted with a smile and an escort to the media operations base. There, I got hooked up with the social media team leader, and was sent on my way.

I was thrusted into the hustle and bustle of the Special Olympics USA Games.

Given a set of guidelines and a schedule of events, it was up to me to find and create relevant content usable for all social media platforms. With only my iPhone and a portable charger — courtesy of the media operations team — I took photos, created gifs, time-lapse videos, boomerang clips, and short videos to engage and captivate followers.

For four days I worked ten-hour shifts on the campuses of the University of Washington and Seattle University, even being sent to Federal Way — an approximate 40 minute drive from Seattle — to cover a variety of events and games. Hustling around from game to game creating content.

After my shift concluded I would walk to my childhood-neighbor's college apartment and crash on her couch, exhausted from a day well spent challenging my social media skills.

This experience put me out of my comfort zone.

Not only was I restricted in the resources available to me, but I was forced to act independently, and subsequently, make audience-driven decisions based on my ability to assess event from event. What made this event stand out? How did this athlete illustrate overcoming adversity —and how can I best capture that?

I am truly grateful I had the opportunity to volunteer with the Special Olympic USA Games, and challenge the habits I had created with my own personal use of social media. This adventure helped boost my confidence and sharpen my social media skills.

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Below is a collection of content I created over the course of my time with the USA Games.