Not everyone can be an athlete, but millions of people all over the world love sports and would love to work in the field.
Fortunately, there are many career paths to choose from in the sports world, some of which people may not be aware of. The reality is that sports are a massive, diverse, and complicated industry that requires professionals with a variety of different skills and areas of expertise. Even if you can’t throw a devastating curveball or hit a no-doubt home run, you can still have an exciting and fulfilling career in the industry. If you’re interested, keep reading to learn more about some possible career choices for students interested in sports.
What are some potential careers for students interested in sports?
A good place to start is to think about what subjects interest you most. Though sports are often perceived as separate from subjects like science and math, the reality is that having a STEM background can actually be an advantage now. In many sports, advanced mathematics and technology are starting to change the way that teams make decisions, and being able to collect accurate data and interpret it properly is essential if you want to keep up with your competition. You could consider a career in analytics, player development, or scouting if you have these types of skills.
Some other fields within the sports industry that aren’t as broadly discussed include facility management, sales and marketing, intercollegiate athletic administration, public relations, coaching, event coordination, and fundraising. When choosing a school, focus on programs that have connections within the industry that you want to work in, as the sports world often relies heavily on networking to build long-term careers.
You might be wondering what the ideal degree is for careers like this. An undergraduate degree in a relevant major, when combined with impressive work experience, can be enough for some jobs. However, if you want to work in the field at a high level, you should look into pursuing a master’s degree in sports management. You can even look for programs that will allow you to get your sport management degree online and continue working while you continue your education.
How can you make sure you get into your dream school?
The most effective way to improve your odds of being accepted to the school you want to attend is to get professional help with the application process. Working with a college application editor can give you an advantage over other applicants, and they have years of experience to rely on when it comes to understanding what schools are looking for. Given that acceptance rates to elite colleges are historically low, it’s smart to do everything you can to ensure that your application stands out.
One common mistake that students make is believing that presenting a laundry list of extracurricular activities will impress top universities. A long-term commitment to one or two interests is more impressive, especially if you’re able to obtain leadership positions within clubs or organizations. You could also consider starting a business or creating some type of charity program in your community to demonstrate that you’ve developed practical skills and have the ability to handle real responsibility.
Many people who love sports aren’t aware of the diversity of career opportunities available to qualified professionals. The sports industry is undoubtedly competitive, which is why it’s essential to put in the work if you want to work in the field, but you don’t need to be an athlete to have a long and successful career. Analytics, management, marketing, and athletic administration are just a few examples of areas where you can choose to focus, depending on your skills and interests. If you want to know more about how to get a specific job, the best thing you can do is reach out to someone who is doing what you want to be doing and ask questions about how they got there.
