After 13 years as a beat reporter for ESPN, it’s hard to believe that current play-by-play reporter Beto Duran began his journalism career by trying to get out of taking English.

“I was the editor of the school paper to get out of English class,” Duran said.

Duran was a guest speaker for two of Daniel Pearl Magnet High School Journalism 1 classes on Monday and shared some of his tips for reporting.

After interning for CNN in 2000 and the Los Angeles Clippers during their 2000-2001 season, Duran started his career off by giving out promotional t-shirts and answering phone calls for Hawthorne Cable. He is now a play-by-play reporter for Golden Boy Promotions and a host for the Chargers football team post game show “Chargers Talk” on AM 570.

“You find a passion that you have,” Duran said. “And sports is what I love.”

Duran explored many career options with no intention of landing on journalism. After gaining inspiration from one of his college professors, Duran decided to go into sports reporting at age 21. Although his job as a freelancer is unsteady, Duran can’t see himself doing anything else.

“My influence was that professor that said ‘you can do this,’” Duran said. “I have friends that have real jobs and hate everything. As long as I stay in sports, I’m happy.”