Try to meet another mascot, connect with a member of the current mascot community who can help you meet others, show you the business, and let you know of any new opportunities. Many jobs are filled by word of mouth. I learned so much about this business from an NBA mascot before I found a job. It helped me get ready for auditions and it helped me hear about the jobs that were open.

Be patient and continue to build your skills. Listen to the older guys as much as you can. Also keep your expectations realistic. A lot of young guys go come in looking for the world. Building a great program and finding a job is a slow process.

Don't complain about your current situation. People want to see you making the best of what you have. Older guys are more eager to help the young guys who are eager to learn and grow than the guys who are just angry about their current situation.

Be persistent. Never give up on your dream. Always work on your skills and keep up on your training. You also need to be aware of what you do well. For example, if you don't have trampoline skills that will hurt your NBA chances, so you may either want to work on that skill or focus on other sports. Focus on being an entertainer first. Always seek out more knowledge, pick everyone's brains for how they approach things. Listen to others. Training is also critical. Maintain your body year-round. Be organized with your props and tools.

Understand that at this level it is a business. It's a serious business and you need to be organized and professional both on and off the court. Prepare for the season a couple months before it starts, since some ideas take months to get together. Keep up your conditioning and always focus on the creative process.

Physical fitness is crucial, so stay on top your training. In the costume, don't be a mascot....be your character. Build and define who your character is, how they would react to situations and be able to define who you are in a sentence or two. Once you define who you are, writing skits and performing will be easier and more effective.