Dermot Pogson came to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with a passion for sports and left with two degrees, a wealth of hands-on experiences and a job offer from one of the world’s most recognized companies.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pogson moved around during high school before graduating in York, Pennsylvania. He grew up a sports fan, which fueled his early interest in a career in sports marketing.

“While I initially was not sure exactly what I wanted to study in college, my sister was a marketing major at South Carolina and seemed to be enjoying her studies,” Pogson said. “After applying to Nebraska, I was awarded the George Beadle Scholarship, which made college significantly more affordable and pushed me strongly in the direction of becoming a Husker.”

Once on campus, Pogson declared marketing as his major in the College of Business. But his growing interest in sports broadcasting led him to explore classes in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. He later added a second major in sports media and communication.

“Each major provided a different perspective and built-up complementary skillsets, which will be crucial in my post-graduate career,” he said. “I learned marketing theory, sales tactics, journalistic writing, photography, videography, digital editing, audio production and so much more. Each college connected me with mentors and opportunities to build my skillset through hands-on experience, which was monumental for me.”

Faculty across both colleges took notice of Pogson’s talent and drive.

“Dermot was a fantastic student, engaged and hard working,” said Chad Mardesen, associate professor of practice in marketing. “His knowledge, skills and abilities will set him up well for a career in sports marketing or any career in the marketing arena, where a creative mind, dedication to the task at hand and a commitment to achieving goals are all incredibly important.”

Bill Doleman, lecturer in broadcasting, saw Pogson thrive in sports media.

“Dermot is one of those students whose first impression tells you he’s going to be successful,” Doleman said. “He has a charismatic and good-natured demeanor that is perfect for working in the business of sports. I respected his willingness to experience life and every opportunity presented to him. He took advantage of every opportunity to try new things and become well-rounded. And he did so with a great attitude. I’m glad he chose Nebraska and know people will enjoy having him on their team as much as I enjoyed having him in class.”

Pogson’s experiences at Nebraska were as wide-ranging as they were impactful. He worked gameday media production for football and basketball with HuskerVision, called Husker volleyball games and the state football finals as a color commentator for KRNU, and ran social media for the inaugural John Cook Team Roping Classic. He also worked as a cameraman for the Lincoln Stars hockey team and competed with Nebraska's team at the CUIBE International Business Case Study Competition, placing second in the international competition.

“So many of the opportunities that Nebraska led me to were not only helpful for building my resume but also just flat-out fun,” Pogson said. “I have met so many of my closest friends through experiences like these and gotten to see and do some amazing things that I would never have been given the chance to otherwise.”

His academic experiences also led to professional internships, including one with Dick’s Sporting Goods in Pittsburgh, where he worked in merchandising and developed leadership reports for the company’s management team.

“While buying is not what I decided to do right out of college, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to explore that pathway,” he said. “One of the nice things about the sports and entertainment industry is just how many companies have roles in the greater ecosystem. Between sponsorships, brand partnerships, broadcasting rights, advertisers, vendors, ticket operations, merchandisers, there are so many different jobs that all revolve around sports.”

After graduation, Pogson begins his career as a graduate management trainee with Anheuser-Busch. Based initially in Cincinnati, Ohio, the position includes rotations in wholesale and brewery operations to build a strong foundation in the company’s front-line business practices.

“I found the role on LinkedIn and had a great interview experience in New York City last semester,” Pogson said. “Their recruitment team did a great job teaching me about the company's history and values. I can tell they care immensely for their workers, suppliers and customers. I cannot wait to get started.”

Pogson also credits Nebraska’s emphasis on experiential learning for preparing him for the workforce. In his final semester, he worked on capstone projects with the UNL Rodeo Club and FOX Sports, providing real-world marketing and communication solutions.

“Ultimately, I had a great college experience and am thankful to have ended up at Nebraska,” he said. “A big thank you to the College of Business for their role in preparing me for my career.”