You've got to be prepared and take the opportunities, be ready to make a move. It's also really important that you make connections. Network and be conscious of your surroundings. Do a good job in school...all of these things play a factor.
Fresh out of college Joshua Pierrejean, ’17, started a career in corporate sales, but deep down he wasn’t satisfied. It wasn’t until a friend, who coached college football, invited him over to watch game film that the lightbulb went off.
The two friends sat together and went over plays on the screen in front of them. Five hours passed before Jean realized how late it was and that night had turned into early morning.
“That’s when I realized I needed to make a change,” the Bridgewater State University alumnus said. “I was making a lot of money but wasn’t happy with what I was doing. That’s when I started reaching out to my former contacts.”
It didn’t happen overnight, but his networking paid off. Today Pierrejean works as a scouting assistant in the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals.
“I love what I do – watching film, being around the game…even though the hours can be long, it’s something I’m passionate about,” he said.
Raised in Mattapan, Pierrejean said he was an inner-city kid who loved to play sports. He credits his mother, Joselene, for instilling in him a strong work ethic.
“I owe a lot of my success to my mom,” he said.
In third grade Pierrejean started playing soccer then made the switch to football in seventh grade. In ninth grade he also took up track.
His athleticism caught the attention of area colleges, BSU being one of them.
Off the field, Pierrejean studied and earned a degree in business administration and management with a minor in accounting and finance. He also was involved in the BSU Men’s Integrated Brotherhood, a black male initiative group.
“Being involved required me to be detailed oriented…you have to have those skills to play multiple sports, go to school and participate in activities,” he said.
While at Bridgewater, he continued to network.
“Bridgewater State has a large network of people who have gone on to do big things in the football world, there are people coaching in the NFL and college,” Pierrejean said.
When switching gears from corporate sales to football, he learned of a volunteer opportunity at Boston College which led to him being hired as a skills coach.
While moving up the ranks to full-time recruiter analyst, he simultaneously earned his master’s in sports administration from BC. Pierrejean was next hired as assistant director of player personnel for the school’s football program.
One of his contacts then approached him with another possibility, a position working in the NFL.
“It’s been a blessing to have the opportunities I’ve had. I’ve been part of great teams with great coaches and ultimately have been able to hit the goals I’ve set for myself,” Jean said.
The most important piece of advice he would offer a BSU student looking to create their own success?
“You’ve got to be prepared and take the opportunities, be ready to make a move,” he said. “It’s also really important that you make connections. Network and be conscious of your surroundings. Do a good job in school…all of these things play a factor.”
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