1. Hello Fatma Nur. Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your role in the VNL (Volleyball Nations League) organization, and how the process went?
Hello, I'm Fatma Nur Gözübenli. I’m 22 years old and a 2nd-year student in the Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Radio, Television, and Cinema. I participated as a volunteer in the Volleyball Nations League. I have previously been involved in amateur volleyball for 8 years. I filled out the volunteer form shared by the Turkish Volleyball Federation (TVF) on their social media page and was selected among 1,000 applicants. During the orientation process, I was informed about how the organization would proceed, what needed to be done, and what my responsibilities would be. My role was to manage the VIP lounges where the players' families, important bureaucrats, celebrities, and influencers would watch the matches. After checking who would be seated where, I escorted them to their assigned lounges. I performed these duties over the course of the 4 match days.
2. We know you once played as an opposite hitter. During your time volunteering, what impacted you the most? How did this experience contribute to your personal and professional development?
As we know, Melissa Vargas plays as an opposite hitter on the national team, and I try to take her as a role model. Although volleyball is a team sport, individual effort is also very important. This is only possible through hard work and discipline. Since I love both, I played as an opposite hitter for 8 years. What impressed me the most during the event was the atmosphere. Even though we see the players on TV, the passion of the crowd really surprised me. Whether we won or lost, all the emotions were shared together. It was an unforgettable experience for me!
3. Seeing the behind-the-scenes of a large-scale event like the VNL, what kind of perspective did it give you regarding sports organizations or broadcasting?
Witnessing the behind-the-scenes of such an event made me realize how detailed and multilayered these kinds of organizations are. There is much more happening beyond what we see on the screen. The synchronized efforts of everyone involved showed how flawless planning can be implemented. I understood that everything we see in front of the camera is the result of a massive organization operating behind the scenes. I also observed the vital role that communication plays throughout the entire process.
4. After this experience, did your thoughts change about the type of jobs or career paths you want to pursue in the future? Was there anything you learned or observed that made you think, “I’ll apply this in my own work someday”?
Yes, this experience had a significant impact on my career goals. Although I study in the field of radio, television, and cinema, I had never seen the media side of sports organizations so closely before. Seeing the professionalism of the communication and organizational teams working behind the scenes helped me realize what to pay attention to in future production processes. I especially saw the importance of making quick and calm decisions in crisis moments, effective communication within the team, and detailed planning. What I learned most from this experience is that managing what happens behind the scenes is just as crucial as being in the spotlight.
We congratulate our student for her dedicated efforts. We continue to encourage active participation not only in academic life but also in social and cultural fields, believing that such experiences significantly support our students’ personal and professional development.
