Sports have been a part of human culture for millennia. It brings people together, transcending borders, differences, and languages. Creating a career in the sports industry can mean becoming part of a global movement that inspires, connects, and entertains.
Embarking on a journey through the realm of sports isn’t limited to just being an athlete. You could just as easily find success and fulfillment working off the field, utilizing your talents and passion for sports in roles that support and enhance the athletic endeavor. Moreover, it’s a sector that’s accelerating at a rapid pace, both in terms of opportunities and challenges.
Today, I’m going to take you through an exploration of career paths in the sports industry. Let’s dive deep into the exciting and diverse sea of sports career opportunities. We will also look at crucial factors such as relevant education, necessary skills, and steps to get your dream job in sports.
Jobs and Career Paths in Sports
The sports industry offers a remarkable array of exciting careers that accommodate various skill sets and interests. These aren’t limited to being an athlete or a coach – there’s a broad spectrum of roles involved in making a sports team or event run, many of which go unnoticed by the fans in the stands.
Let’s delve deeper into understanding these diverse career paths in the exciting field of sports.
Athletic Roles
These are often the primary roles we consider when thinking about sports. These encompass athletes who play at all levels, from high school and college to the professional and even the Olympic ranks.
These athletic roles are pursued by skilled individuals with an immense passion for their chosen sport, individuals who’ve often spent years honing their abilities.
Coaching Roles
These roles serve to mentor these athletes – from the youth leagues all the way to the professionals. Coaches guide athletes to improve and achieve their best, providing support and strategy along the way.
Assistant coaches, team managers, and athletic directors also fall under the umbrella of coaching roles with varying responsibilities and areas of focus.
Operational Roles
Operational roles, while they may not be in the spotlight, are the backbone of the sports industry. They include sports facility management, event coordination, and even sports marketing and promotion.
Other roles in this category include sports administrators, who ensure the smooth running of sports organizations, and finance managers, who look after the fiscal aspects of the industry.
Health-Related Roles
These are crucial to an athlete’s performance and longevity in sports. Athletic trainers, physiotherapists, sports psychologists, nutritionists, and sports medicine doctors are all part of this critical segment of the industry.
They ensure that players are at their physical and mental best for their respective sports.
Sports Science and Analytics
These roles are relatively new but fast-growing areas within the sports industry. From sports statisticians who analyze game performance to biomechanists studying human movement, these roles use rigorous data and research methodologies to inform key decisions in sports.
Sports Media
This work serves to bring the action directly to the fans. Broadcasters, sports journalists, photographers, digital content creators, and social media managers all play a pivotal role in shaping the fan experience and promoting the sport.
Training and Education Relevant for a Job in Sports
Having a passion for sports is a great starting point, but breaking into the sports industry often requires more than just enthusiasm.
Training and education play an essential role in preparing you for a rewarding career in this dynamic industry. Depending on the path you’re eager to pursue, there could be highly specific education and training requirements.
Let’s check out a couple of different types of training and education you may need to get in order to get a job in the sports sector.
Relevant Sports Coaching Degrees
If you’re keen on coaching, a degree in sports science, physical education, or a related field might be highly beneficial.
Tuition in body mechanics, kinesiology, nutrition, and psychology could provide a solid foundation for a career in training or coaching.
For higher-level coaching positions, you might also need a coaching certificate from a recognized organization, like the National Strength and Conditioning Association or a license from a national governing body for a specific sport, such as the U.S. Soccer Federation for soccer coaches.
Relevant Sports Management Degrees
Suppose your interest lies in sports management, in which case, a degree in sports management, business, or a related discipline may be desirable.
Programs in these areas often include coursework on sports marketing, ethics, event management, facility management, and business law, helping aspiring professionals gain a comprehensive understanding of the field.
Also, several reputed universities offer masters programs specifically tailored for sports management, which can be your stepping stone to lucrative roles in sports administration.
Relevant Sports Training and Certifications
Roles in sports medicine, like an athletic trainer or sports psychologist, would require more specialized training and certifications.
For instance, an athletic trainer would need at least a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education and certification through the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer.
Similarly, a sports psychologist would need a doctoral degree in psychology, licensure as a psychologist, and additional certification in sports psychology.
Sports Journalist Education
This field demands proficiency in communication and writing along with strong knowledge of various sports. A degree in journalism, communications, or a related field can be an excellent starting point, with journalism programs often offering sports-specific tracks.
Practical Experience and Internships
Formal education is just one part of the equation. Practical experience, including internships and volunteer positions in the sports world, can offer invaluable insights into the scenarios you would face on the job.
Furthermore, many jobs in sports call for hands-on experience to complement your formal education. It’s this experience that can open doors to job opportunities and get your foot in the right hallway.
Skills and Qualities Important for a Job in Sports
Besides your degree and education, you’ll also need to have a few key skills to land a job in the sports field. Remember, these can vary quite a bit depending on what kind of position you’re applying for.
Some roles will require you to have strong physical capabilities while others may be more focused on interpersonal skills. Regardless of which position you apply for, remember that jobs in this sector can be highly competitive, and roles may carry high pressure or involve working unconventional hours. You’ll need to be resilient and perseverant in order to land a job, no matter what your background is like.
Let’s go over a few of the different qualities that will help make you a strong candidate when applying for a sports-related role.
Soft Skills
Sports are inherently about cooperation and team spirit, whether you’re a player working toward a common goal with your teammates or a coach motivating and unifying a diverse group of athletes.
As an example, a sports event coordinator needs to collaborate with different departments and external partners to ensure the smooth running of appointments and schedules. What all this means is that teamwork is one key soft skill that you’ll need to have to work in the industry.
Besides teamwork, communication is another skill that you’re likely to need in order to land a job in the sports industry. The ability to express ideas clearly and listen effectively helps to build relationships and solve problems that may arise.
For instance, a sports psychologist needs to communicate effectively with athletes to understand their minds and assist them in overcoming mental obstacles.
Technical Skills
Technical skills depend on the specific job you’re aiming for, but they are equally vital. Let’s take a sports photographer as an example. This role would require not only a deep understanding of the sport they’re covering but also strong technical skills in photography and photo editing software.
Specialist Knowledge
A job in sports also often requires specialist knowledge of that particular sport, including understanding its rules, tactics, and history.
Consider a job as a sports commentator: without thorough knowledge and understanding of the sport they’re commenting on, they wouldn’t be able to provide informative and engaging commentary.
Steps to Getting a Job in Sports
Embarking on a career in the sports industry means approaching it as you would any serious game: strategizing, practicing your skills, and giving your all until the final whistle.
Here, I’ll break down the key steps to kick-start your career in sports.
Step One: Setting Clear Career Goals
Firstly, you need to define your career objectives. Are you interested in coaching? Sports management? Perhaps a career in sports medicine or journalism? Once you have your eyes set on a particular field, it becomes easier to focus your efforts and tailor your strategy.
For instance, if you want to become a sports broadcaster, you will know to practice public speaking, build up a portfolio of sports-related content, and possibly earn a degree in journalism or communications.
Getting your career goals straight from the onset is what will ultimately help you figure out which path you want to pursue.
Step Two: Gaining Necessary Qualifications and Experience
Once you’ve established your career goals, it’s time to go about gathering experience and getting the necessary education and licenses. Your goal will determine the type of qualifications that are necessary. Many roles in the sports sector require a degree or some form of higher education.
If it’s coaching you’re interested in, look into coaching certification courses. Are you aiming to be a fitness trainer? Consider obtaining a certificate in Personal Training.
Work experience also makes a significant impact. A great starting point could be to take up internships, volunteer roles, or possibly shadowing industry professionals in the roles that you aspire to.
Step Three: Networking in the Sports Industry
You should never underestimate the importance of building a strong network in the sports industry. Attend industry events, conferences, seminars, and social gatherings.
This offers an opportunity to meet professionals who could provide guidance, mentorship, or job options.
Step Four: Keeping Up To Date with Industry Trends and opportunities
The sports industry, like any other, advances and evolves rapidly. It’s vital to stay informed and adapt to the changing circumstances swiftly. Reading industry publications, joining relevant groups, or online forums can keep you informed about market trends and, most importantly, job openings.
Where to Apply for a Job in Sports
It’s not enough to just have the drive to work in the sports industry. You’ll also need to know where to apply!
There are a number of different places where you can potentially find a job in the sports sector. Let’s take a look at a couple of different places where you can apply for a job in sports.
Sports Organizations’ Websites
Make sure to monitor job postings on sports organizations’ websites. These platforms will often share both full-time and part-time roles, internships, and even volunteering opportunities.
Take, for instance, organizations like NBA, NFL, NHL, and ESPN – they all have online platforms dedicated to career opportunities. These postings are updated regularly and span a wide array of functions, from marketing to team management and event planning.
Job Portals or Career Websites focused on Sports
Websites like WorkInSports, JobsInSports, and TeamWork Online cater specifically for jobs within the sports industry. They curate listings from a variety of sports businesses – whether you’re interested in professional sports, collegiate athletics, health, and fitness, or outdoor and lifestyle sports.
Direct Application
You can apply directly to sports teams, clubs, or sports-related businesses. If there’s a specific organization or team you’ve always dreamt of working with, go ahead and reach out to them.
Spruce up your resume, craft a compelling cover letter explaining why you’re interested in their organization and what value you can bring, then send it their way.
Networking Events and Opportunities
This is where industry conferences, sports seminars, and workshops come into play. While they’re educational in nature, they often offer career fairs and networking breaks where you can liaise with potential employers and colleagues.
Attending such events helps you stay visible and connected in the industry.
Keep utilizing the power of networks with a LinkedIn profile, too. The platform offers another opportunity to directly connect with organizations and personnel within the sports field. It’s useful for searching for open positions and for staying connected with your existing network too.
Salaries in the Sports Industry
One of the crucial elements to consider when exploring a career in sports is the financial aspect — the salaries associated with varying roles.
In the sports world, income brackets can differ greatly based on the field of work, your role, education, geographical location, and level of expertise.
Let’s take a look at a couple of salary ranges for different positions in the sports field.
Compensation for Scouts, Athletic Trainers, or Coaches
You could potentially earn an annual salary that’s around $45,000. But remember, these numbers can vary depending on the specifics of the role, the level of competition, and location.
Operational Role Compensation
Examples of these roles are event coordinator, exercise physiologist, or facility operations manager. The salaries could range from $62,000 to $98,000 annually. Greater experience or working for a more prestigious sports organization can also increase this range.
Health and Wellbeing Role Compensation
This can include positions like a nutritionist, orthopedist, or physical therapist. Roles in this area can fetch a considerable salary, ranging from $55,000 to more than $100,000 per year, depending on what the job is.
Sports Science and Analytics Compensation
This an emerging field that is proving quite lucrative. Roles such as sports statisticians can earn you an impressive figure up to $170,000 per year!
Sports Media Role Compensation
These Roles include jobs like sports writer, sports photographer, or broadcaster. They can bring in an annual salary reaching more than $100,000 per year.
Determining the Best Sports Career for You
Determining the best sports career for you is a highly individual process. This journey demands deep self-reflection and exploration. What’s ideal for someone else might not be perfect for you, and so this is where getting to know yourself comes into play.
Here are some things you might want to consider to help you figure out which area of the sports industry you should focus your attention on.
Personal Interests
Do you love a particular sport, or are you passionate about health and fitness? Maybe you’re intrigued by the business side of the sports world, or you have a knack for coaching and guiding others.
Your workout routine might be a hobby, but it could also translate into a fruitful career as a personal trainer or fitness instructor. If you’re a devoted fan with a mind for numbers, a career in sports analytics or sports forecasting could be your calling.
Your Skills and Strengths
Are you a talented communicator? Then roles like sports broadcasting or public relations in sports firms might be right up your alley. Have you always been the one to plan matches and events in your neighborhood or college? Roles involving planning and management in the sports industry would be an excellent fit.
Your Values
This means considering what you hold as essential in your life and career. Perhaps you value teamwork and camaraderie, which are integral to many sports careers. Or perhaps you highly value health and well-being and would thrive in a role focused on sports medicine or athletic training.
Personal and Lifestyle Needs
While the sports industry can offer exciting and rewarding careers, remember it often involves working on weekends and evenings, traveling, or even relocating. You’ve got to decide whether such aspects align with your individual circumstances and aspirations.
In my opinion, the ultimate key to determining the best sports career for you is staying open-minded and patient. Explore various paths and roles, ask lots of questions, and gain direct experience, if possible, like internships or volunteer work. It’s okay not to know immediately; remember, you’re working towards a rewarding career that you love, and that’s worth all the time and effort.
Next Steps
Having delved into the vast world of sports careers, you might now have a broader perspective on the diverse opportunities that this field offers. It’s an expansive, vibrant industry, and what’s more rewarding is that it’s invigorated by passion and enthusiasm. There’s a sense of unity, camaraderie, and spirit that is unparalleled.
However, like any other profession, a career in sports is not devoid of challenges. The competition is fierce, and the demand for resilience is high. Take the time to reflect on your skills, your interests, and your aspirations to help you figure out what you want to do in the industry.
If you’re still in need of a little help to get your journey started, try reaching out to one of our career coaches. Together, we can dive deep into assessing your unique skills and qualifications, helping us paint a clearer picture of which sports career best aligns with your abilities and aspirations.
