PHOENIX — Moving roughly 3,000 miles away from home is more than a change of scenery; it is a leap into uncertainty. There is worry about what could happen to your family back home, and the fear of what may go wrong on your own, but Logan Heath made the move with the ambition to become a sports journalist.
The departure to Phoenix did not come without added pressure, as Heath has had three majors during his college experience. Switching majors can pile up debt, but sometimes it is the price you must pay to find what your true passion is.
After graduating from high school in Lowell, Massachusetts, Heath enrolled at Quinnipiac University to study communications, a decision that seemed reasonable at the time. His stay in Hamden, Connecticut, lasted only two years, as he faced a question many students want to avoid: Is college truly for me?
“I was not really sure what I was going to do,” he said. “I was thinking maybe I’d take a year off or maybe going into the workforce because I wasn’t sure if college was really for me.”
As Heath contemplated his future, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, impacting his decision. Rather than waiting to see how things might play out, he adapted to the circumstances and enrolled in ASU Online, completing his bachelor’s degree in film and media studies.
During the latter half of his undergrad, Heath studied abroad in Ireland as part of an internship program. A conversation with someone named Dylan introduced him to the sports journalism program at Arizona State, and he had his sights set on the opportunity.
“After I finished my undergrad, I looked into the program a little bit, and was like, ‘Yeah, this seems really interesting,’” he said.
Jumping into a field with little experience can be a daunting task, but Heath embraced the challenges that he would face along the way. One hurdle he needed to confront immediately was his lack of interviewing experience.
The weakness became a focal point for improvement, prompting him to rethink what it truly means to be a journalist. He learned the importance of asking good questions because they lay out the foundation for a great game story.
“My professor really emphasized that your quotes have to carry your story, at least with game stories,” he said. “I think you have to let the stats and quotes tell the story, which I didn’t really know.”
Heath’s path to Arizona State is not foreign, as many people switch their major multiple times before finding the one they believe is best for their future. But it is unique because it offers an accurate representation of the current landscape of sports journalism.
There is no clear path into the industry. Nothing is guaranteed, especially for new people in the field.
Success is subjective, but it is often achieved through hard work and adaptability, rather than a perfectly mapped plan.
Heath’s ability to take risks, from switching majors to moving across the country, and the ability to adapt to new skills show he has the willingness and drive to make it in the current state of sports journalism.
