Akshay Mirchandani says maintaining relationships are key | Alumni Q&A — Getting Real About the First Year of Post Grad

"Focus on building real relationships with people in the industry and they will remember the people that are genuine and eager to learn."

Living in New York City was always a dream for Akshay Mirchandani. Now it’s a reality.

In the Big Apple, Mirchandani serves as the head of audience development for Yahoo Sports. In his freetime, he makes colorful cocktails for his Instagram account @akshaken_not_stirred.

Mirchandani graduated from UT in spring 2017, the semester he served as The Daily Texan’s managing editor. For his first job out of college, he worked as a digital sports producer for The Dallas Morning News.

“The opportunities given to me at the J-school, from attending the Olympics to interning at Sports Illustrated, helped me put together a strong resume to land a full-time job at the DMN,” Mirchandani said. “I was also able to start thinking about journalism and news in a digital age thanks to my professors/classes, and brought that mindset to the DMN.”

Mirchandani told the School of Journalism and Media all about the first year of his transition from out of the burnt orange and white.

Photo of Akshay Mirchandani, head of audience development for Yahoo Sports, in front of a NYC skyline. At the top left is his name.

When did you start your post grad search and what was that experience like?

I took a little break after graduation and started my search in earnest later in the summer. Having already interned at the DMN and making connections through the J-school, I felt like I had a head start. Before being offered the job in Dallas, I was also considering post-grad internships and applying anywhere I felt may be a fit.

What were the best parts about your first year post grad?

The best part of my first year post grad was creating a new group of friends and learning in my new role. There is so much to learn in a real newsroom that you don’t even think about in the classroom. It set the foundation for my career.

What were the most challenging parts about your first year post grad?

The most challenging part was no longer being around the friends and community I formed at UT. I moved back in with my parents while working in Dallas and there was certainly an adjustment period as I got used to post grad life.

What advice would you give to recent graduates and current students as they look toward life after UT?

Keep your UT community, friends and professors close! Don’t be afraid to keep in touch with people  — I made lifelong relationships at UT and still keep in touch today. As far as job hunting or career, be patient and look to expand your network as much as possible. Focus on building real relationships with people in the industry and they will remember the people that are genuine and eager to learn.

Myah Taylor
Content and Web Intern