In this episode of The Bridge to Tomorrow’s Talent, host Zachary Hill sits down with Benjamin Goulding, Manager of Group Sales for the Coachella Valley Firebirds, to explore what a career in professional sports can look like when you’re working beyond the action on the ice.

Benjamin takes listeners behind the scenes of the sports business world, sharing what goes into creating memorable experiences for schools, businesses, youth sports organizations, and other groups attending Firebirds games. From developing group ticket strategies to connecting with fans and coordinating special game-day experiences, his role offers a look at the business side of sports that many students may not realize exists.

His path into the industry wasn’t built around one big break. Benjamin shares how studying sport management, working with his college athletic department, taking part-time game-day jobs, supporting major tennis tournaments, and completing an inside sales program all helped him gradually find where he fit. Those experiences eventually brought him to California and helped turn a lifelong interest in sports into a career in ticket sales and fan engagement.

The conversation also explores what it actually takes to build a career in sports. Benjamin discusses the value of trying different roles, building relationships early, seeking mentorship, and being willing to take opportunities that may not perfectly match the career you originally imagined. He also reflects on connections he began making as early as high school and how some of those relationships have continued throughout his professional career.

Working in sports also comes with realities fans may never see. Benjamin explains why flexibility is important during a busy season, how working behind the scenes changes the way you experience a game, and why succeeding in the industry means learning to separate being a fan from being a professional. At the same time, he shares what makes the work rewarding, including the teamwork and camaraderie that come from an entire organization working toward a common goal.

The episode also looks at the changing workplace, including how AI is beginning to support sports sales teams with planning, organization, and strategy. For Benjamin, technology can make certain parts of the job easier, but it does not replace the human relationships at the center of sales and the fan experience.

For students who dream about working in sports but aren’t sure where to begin, Benjamin’s message is simple: stay open-minded, take risks, explore different opportunities, and enjoy the process of figuring out where you belong. A career in sports may look very different from what you first imagined — and that can be part of what makes the journey worthwhile.

About Benjamin Goulding:

Benjamin Goulding is the Manager of Group Sales for the Coachella Valley Firebirds. After earning his degree in sport management from St. John’s University, Benjamin built experience across collegiate athletics, game-day operations, professional sporting events, and ticket sales. His career has given him experience on both the operational and fan-facing sides of the sports industry, ultimately leading him to his current role helping create memorable experiences for Firebirds fans and community groups.

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Tomorrow’s Talent: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomorrowstalent?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Coachella Valley Firebirds:https://cvfirebirds.com/

Benjamin Goulding: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-goulding-a38937163

Zachary Hill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-hill-0a5628219

Tomorrow’s Talent Website: https://tomorrowstalent.org/

In this episode of The Bridge to Tomorrow’s Talent, host Zachary Hill (Chief of Staff at Tomorrow’s Talent) welcomes Darron Poulsen, General Manager of the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority, for a conversation about an essential industry that often operates behind the scenes—and the career opportunities waiting for the next generation.

Darron breaks down what it really takes to operate a modern wastewater treatment facility, from plant operators, mechanics, and electricians to IT, finance, and administrative professionals. He also shares how Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority is using innovation to turn waste into a valuable resource, including producing renewable natural gas from biosolids and food waste. The result is a closer look at how sustainability, technology, and public service come together to support communities across the High Desert.

The conversation also traces Darron’s nearly four-decade career in the water and wastewater industry. After initially pursuing engineering, an unexpected change in plans brought him back home and ultimately introduced him to a career path he had not fully considered. Through continued education, industry certifications, mentorship, and a willingness to take on new opportunities, Darron quickly advanced through the field and built a career centered on both leadership and service.

A major theme of the episode is the importance of exposing young people to careers they may never encounter in a traditional classroom. Darron reflects on Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority’s internship program, which introduced high school students to wastewater operations, mechanics, electrical work, IT, and finance. He shares how the experience not only gave students hands-on exposure to meaningful careers, but also reenergized employees who had the opportunity to mentor, teach, and pass their knowledge on to the next generation.

Finally, Darron discusses one of the biggest workforce challenges facing the water industry: a large number of experienced professionals approaching retirement while many potential workers remain unaware of the opportunities available. He offers practical advice for emerging professionals, including pursuing industry certifications, seeking out mentors, exploring local utilities, and taking advantage of training opportunities before applying for a position. He also looks ahead at how AI, automation, and advanced technology may help water and wastewater professionals work more efficiently while continuing to create demand for skilled people behind those systems.

Bio:

Darron Poulsen is the General Manager of the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority and has spent nearly four decades working in the water and wastewater industry. A High Desert native and graduate of Apple Valley High School, Darron initially pursued engineering before beginning his career in water and wastewater and working his way through the industry through continued education, professional certifications, and mentorship. Today, he is passionate about developing the next generation of water professionals, expanding awareness of career opportunities within the industry, and supporting innovative approaches to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

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LinkedIn: / tomorrowstalent

Darron Poulson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darron-poulsen-1b620311

Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority: https://www.vvwraca.gov/

Zachary Hill: / zachary-hill-0a5628219

Website: https://tomorrowstalent.org/

In this episode of The Bridge to Tomorrow’s Talent, host Zachary Hill (Chief of Staff at Tomorrow’s Talent) welcomes Steve Hargis, the IT Director for the City of Moreno Valley, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to keep a modern city running—and how tomorrow’s workforce can prepare to join that mission.

Steve breaks down the scope of city IT work, from telecommunications and network operations to GIS and enterprise applications. But the biggest takeaway isn’t just the tech: he emphasizes that the real differentiator is change management—helping people understand, adopt, and benefit from new tools. As he explains it, you can’t succeed by focusing only on software and hardware; you have to support the human side of technology, too.

The conversation also traces Steve’s unusual career path—from initially pursuing law, to discovering a passion for computers, to roles in private industry (including IBM and startups), and ultimately finding long-term purpose in public service. He contrasts the private sector’s profit-driven structure with the public sector’s more cooperative culture, where cities frequently share resources and solutions to serve their communities better.

A major theme of the episode is the value of internships and apprenticeships. Steve shares how Moreno Valley integrates apprentices into real work—building customer service skills, providing help desk and technical experience, exposing them to cybersecurity and networking, and encouraging them to bring fresh ideas. He notes that the program has become so successful that the city has hired former apprentices, strengthening local talent pipelines and boosting the community’s economic vitality.

Finally, Steve offers practical advice to emerging professionals: do the homework before an interview, tailor your approach to the organization, and show genuine interest. He also speaks to the growing role of AI in the workplace—encouraging new talent to learn how to use AI tools effectively (not to “fake” competency), and to pair technical growth with strong communication and customer service skills.

Bio:
Steve Hargis is the IT Director for the City of Moreno Valley, overseeing the systems and infrastructure that support safe, reliable access to city services. His work spans telecommunications, network and cloud operations, GIS, and enterprise applications, with a strong focus on helping departments navigate technology change successfully. With experience across private industry and public-sector leadership, Steve is a committed advocate for apprenticeship pathways that build both technical competency and the people-first skills essential to long-term success.

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomorrowstalent/

Steve Hargis:https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-hargis-35a52328/

City of Moreno Valley: https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-moreno-valley/posts/?feedView=all

Zachary Hill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-hill-0a5628219/

Website: https://tomorrowstalent.org/