For the Fort McMurray Giants, baseball is more than a game—it’s about community, connection, and creating opportunities. This summer, those opportunities extended off the field thanks to a partnership with CAREERS: The Next Generation, which brought local student Joshua Omeje onto the team as a social media intern.
A Timely Partnership
General Manager Josh Iannetti says the decision to work with CAREERS came at the perfect time.
“We were looking for people to help out with our social media content for the summer,” he explains. “We were working closely with a local company in town, and they suggested that CAREERS was a good option to hire some local talent that are skilled in this trade. It was very appealing to find a younger generation to help us capture the beautiful ballpark we have and highlight the players and the talent we bring here.”
For the Giants, content has become as important as the game itself.
“We’ve seen in the last few years, especially after COVID, content has been crazy,” Iannetti says. “Content is king. It’s a way to reach people, and at the end of the day, we want to pack these stands as much as we possibly can. With guys like Joshua, they’ve been helping us out big time, bringing these people in.”
Joshua Steps Up to the Plate
Joshua quickly proved to be a great fit.
“This summer, his ability to learn stood out,” says Iannetti. “I would tell him what I need, and he would take it and just use his creative mind. He jumped on, got to know the players super quick, and was willing to learn and take advice on how we wanted to portray the Giants. He did a fantastic job with it.”
For Joshua, the internship was more than just managing accounts—it was about creativity, teamwork, and gaining real-world experience.
“I’d always heard a lot about CAREERS, and I always wanted to try it. When I finally did, it was really smooth. The application process wasn’t hard, and the information sessions helped me out.”
A Day in the Life
A typical game day started around 5 p.m.
“We’d talk about what we were going to do for the day, maybe start editing a video for the Giants, or work on a clip, montage, or graphic,” Joshua explains. “We’d ask the players what the question of the day is for one of our main media segments, then edit it out. During the game, we’d record clips to capture the fan experience, the mascot, or anything fun happening in the crowd.”
The role gave Joshua the chance to refine his creativity.
“I’m a creative person, but sometimes I don’t know where to start,” he says. “The Giants helped me channel it into something where I could actually have results with it.”
Growth On and Off the Field
That growth was exactly what Iannetti had hoped for.
“Whatever happens this season, I just wanted him to have fun, get to know the guys, and become friends with them. It was almost immediate, the impact he had on the team and with us.”
For Joshua, the experience reignited an old interest.
“I tried content creation a bit when I was younger and kind of put it away, but coming to the Giants relit the fire. They taught me a lot—things I can carry into the future. Content creation is such a big skill nowadays, and I could really see myself doing something further with it.”
Although his main career focus is engineering, Joshua sees potential in blending both paths.
“Engineering is my main, but I could definitely see content creation on the side or even blending the two. This experience really opened my eyes.”
Skills for the Future
Along the way, Joshua developed essential skills that will serve him no matter where his career takes him.
“Communication with your team, meeting deadlines, and building a work ethic to always do your best,” he says. “If you give me an idea, I can create that for you. I’ve learned a lot of different ways to be creative and to work on my feet.”
That adaptability impressed Iannetti.
“The proof’s in the pudding, the content he put out this summer speaks for itself. If I were looking for someone to produce content, I’d hire him. I’d love to have him back in the future.”
Joshua says what made the difference was the support he felt from the Giants’ leadership.
“Josh is the best. He’s very hands-on, but he doesn’t put too much pressure on you because he believes in you. If I had a question, I could text him and he’d always respond. He honestly cares, and that makes it easier.”
A Winning Experience
Looking back, Joshua calls this “the best job I’ve worked so far.”
He recommends CAREERS to his friends without hesitation:
“It gives you a lot of experience. They work well to match you with your skill set, and even if it’s not your exact skill set, you learn so much. I really recommend it.”
For Iannetti, the partnership with CAREERS was seamless and effective.
“It couldn’t have been more simple. They had candidates for me within two weeks of contacting them. From the onboarding process to hiring the intern, it was a no-brainer. If you get the right people on board, it benefits your organization and shows the community you’re hiring local talent.”
He sees internships like this as a win for everyone involved.
“It’s incredible to help them grow. Sometimes you try one direction and realize it’s not for you, but for Joshua, it seems like this is what he wants to do in university and for the rest of his career. Getting his foot in the door and seeing how much he enjoys it has been fun to watch.”
More Than a Summer Job
For Joshua, it was about more than a summer job—it was about finding his place, building confidence, and realizing new possibilities.
“I was so nervous when I first came, but everyone made it smooth. I just fit in really well,” he says. “I’m definitely going to keep pursuing content creation, graphic design, and my education. This experience has opened a lot of doors.”
