Catholic Central’s Career Speaker series continued this week with two alumni guest speakers in the broadcasting and aviation fields. 

On Tuesday, February 4, 2025, Evan Stockton ‘14 discussed his career as a college and professional sports broadcaster. A key theme of Stockton’s presentation was dispelling the biggest misconception about sports broadcasting—that broadcasters simply show up, glance at a roster, and call the game. 

“While you’re preparing for a game, you have to do preparation for the broadcast, such as studying the teams and their stats, talking to coaching staff to learn about the team,” he explained. "It’s a multi-day process to get ready to call a game." 

To help students understand the preparation involved, he handed out play-by-play spotting boards, which he uses during his broadcasts. These boards are filled with highlighting marks and slash symbols that remind him of key points, much like studying for an exam. 

Another critical lesson Stockton shared was the importance of personal relationships in advancing one’s career. “You never know where opportunities could come from,” he said. “If you carry yourself as a man of faith and are genuinely curious about people, you never know who you’ll meet and how they can help you.” 

He explained that many of the opportunities in his life stemmed not from a perfect resume or cover letter, but from being a good person and building genuine connections with others. He urged students to take advantage of the community at Catholic Central, where relationships made in high school can serve as a foundation for future opportunities. “This place is going to be very beneficial to you going forward, whether you realize it or not,” he noted.

He recommended that aspiring broadcasters take courses in writing, English, critical thinking, and public speaking—subjects that help develop the ability to explain “what I’m saying and why I should say it.” Stockton also emphasized the value of starting from the bottom. “There is no such thing as a bad job,” he said. "Take entry-level opportunities to learn the tools you need and build toward what you eventually want to do.”

"Every opportunity I had in life, I earned. That’s a lesson I learned here at Catholic Central," he said. "Persistence, hard work, and the values that were taught here—be persistent, have faith in yourself and God, and believe you are a good person. Positivity matters."

Then, on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, students heard from Lt. Col. Karl Vogelheim ‘85 of the Michigan Air National Guard about his career in aviation. 

Vogelheim covered a range of topics, from a typical day as a pilot to the different career paths in aviation. He detailed his current role as a corporate pilot, explaining that his responsibilities include mission planning, which requires a high level of expertise and attention to detail. "The best aspects of being a pilot," he said, "include seeing the world, having a flexible schedule, and, of course, being in the air." However, he was also candid about the downsides of the profession, mentioning a non-standard work schedule and a potential decline in the demand for pilots in the future.

When discussing the education and preparation needed to pursue a career in aviation, Vogelheim emphasized the importance of learning, stating, "The ability to learn is the most important thing. Once you acquire the knowledge, you have to be able to execute it in a timely manner." He also cautioned students about the realities of the profession, advising them to do their best but to be prepared for challenges along the way. "Do the best you can, but understand that there are going to be challenges," he noted.

One of the key pieces of advice he offered was to not focus solely on obtaining a pilot’s license in college. Instead, he encouraged students to pursue a degree in something they are passionate about, as this would provide a backup plan in case they ever decide aviation is not the right path. "Don’t go to college just for your pilot’s license. Go to get a degree in something you enjoy, in case you decide being a pilot isn’t for you," he advised. Vogelheim also recommended students find a flight school that offers a Part 61 program.

"Join the Shamrock Flying Program at CC to see if you have an interest in aviation," he said. "Take advantage of everything you can here. You’re at the perfect age to get it done. CC has amazing resources, and the RedBird Simulator is brand new technology. If you can do this in high school, you’re so much farther ahead than other pilots."

He also offered an important piece of advice for aspiring pilots: the ability to learn quickly and apply knowledge effectively. "The biggest thing to look at is your ability to learn. Can you learn it quickly and execute it?" he emphasized.

As the demand for pilots in the Air Force remains high, he reminded students, "Right now, the Air Force needs pilots big time. Back when I applied, it was more competitive."

His final advice was a motivational reminder for students to believe in their potential: "Don’t ever tell yourself you don’t think you can do this. Put your foot out there and see what happens."

For a full schedule of career conference speakers, please visit our website here.