Laura Fernández Hernández graduated from the University at Buffalo in 2015 and was a member of the Women’s Tennis team. She lives in Spain and is currently a sports media professional.
1) What do you do in your roles in sports media?
I now work at Eurosport and DAZN which are two very big media outlets in Spain and Europe. I am a presenter for both outlets. I do the Ultimate Fighting Champion (UFC) show for Eurosport and a tennis show for DAZN. And I will be covering and presenting the Olympics for Eurosport in Madrid. Formally, I worked for the Olympic Channel as a Web Development Specialist.
2) What is your educational background (both academic and activities) and how did it influence your career path?
After I got my Communications degree at UB, I Started working right away, which has allowed me to earn a lot of experience from an early age and that for me has been the best preparation. Also, being a student athlete has shown me a lot of discipline and I apply that discipline at work
3) Looking back, what, if anything, do you wish you would have known when you were first entered this industry?
To believe in myself a little more, and to be patient. Because when you work hard, everything that you wished for at the beginning ends up happening.
4) What are the biggest challenges that you typically face in your career?
Probably the competition. TV and journalism are very competitive; luckily, I am used to competing.
5) What advice do you have for anyone that would want to pursue a career in sports broadcasting or any media-related field?
Work hard, specialize and do a lot of networking because all the opportunities come from networking.
6) If a UB student wanted to talk with you, what is the best way to reach you?
Contact me through Connect-a-Bull, UB’s alumni-student networking platform.
NOTE: if you are a UB student or alumnus who would like to connect with others to give or get career insights you can join Connect-a-Bull. Interested in sharing your career story with UB students by answering questions like Laura? Email Ed Brodka, UB Career Design Consultant, at brodka@buffalo.edu.
