How to Land a Career in Sports: Everything You Need to Know
Do you love sports? Are you passionate about fitness and healthy living? If so, a career in sports may be the perfect fit for you! There are many different careers available in the sports industry, from coaching and managing teams to work in marketing or broadcasting.
In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about careers in sports. We’ll provide tips on how to get started in the industry, and outline some of the most common job roles and responsibilities. So whether you’re just starting your career journey or you’re looking for a new challenge, read on for all the information you need to make your dreams of a career in sports a reality!
Start by doing your research for careers in sports
There are a lot of careers in sports, some require a bachelor’s degree while others are professional opportunities that can be created by building relationships and taking on various roles within the industry. The best way to learn about careers in sports is by doing your research and talking to people who are already working in the field.
The National Association of Sports says on their website, “The sports industry is vast, and careers in sports are as diverse as the individuals who fill them.”
Some careers in sports that may interest you include:
Athletic Trainer:
Athletic trainers are responsible for exercise programs for individual athletes and teams, as well as providing first-aid, rehabilitation process, or services. Other duties for pro sports athletic trainers are getting the professional athlete or athletes to increase their athletic performance. To be a winning team, sports teams will focus on optimal performance from the program the trainer comes up with to gain an advantage over the competition.
Education:
You need at least a bachelor’s degree to become an athletic trainer, although many have a master’s degree or higher. You also must be licensed in most states.
Skills:
You must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work with athletes, coaches, and other staff. You also need to be detail-oriented to design programs and track progress. Organizational skills are important to coordinate practice schedules and game day logistics. Finally, you should have a strong knowledge of first aid and emergency care procedures.
Salary:
The average salary for athletic trainers is $47,000 per year.
Exercise Physiologist:
Exercise physiologists are mainly responsible for designing and implementing fitness and exercise programs. They often work with people who have chronic health conditions or injuries. A sports injury happens as often as every hour around the world with 3.5 million sports injuries each year. An athlete must have a plan to prevent injury and that’s where exercise physiologists come in.
Education:
A bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, or a related field is required. Some employers may prefer that you have a master’s degree.
Skills:
In addition to being passionate about fitness and helping others, you must have excellent communication skills to explain complex concepts to clients. You also need to be detail-oriented to design safe and effective workout programs. Finally, you should be able to use technology such as heart rate monitors and other tracking devices.
Salary:
The median annual salary for an exercise physiologist is $49,270 per year.
Sports Psychologist:
Sports psychology is the practice of helping athletes improve their performance and well-being. It is a relatively new field that combines elements of psychology, physiology, and biomechanics. Most sports psychologists work with a team physician and other medical professionals in the sports industry. Other responsibilities sports psychologists have are working with coaches on developing game plans and helping athletes deal with the pressures of competition.
Education:
A sports psychologist must have a doctoral degree in psychology or a related field.
Skills:
In addition to being passionate about fitness and helping others, you must have excellent communication skills to explain complex concepts to clients. You also need to be detail-oriented to design safe and effective workout programs. Finally, you should be able to use technology such as heart rate monitors and other tracking devices.
Salary:
The median annual salary for a sports psychologist is $75,000 per year.
Athletic Director:
An athletic director is responsible for athletic events for big business. They do have some administrative duties such as managing budgets and hiring staff, but the majority of their time is spent on game-day operations. Typically an athletic director will work with sports management like coaches, the assistant coach, and general managers to coordinate the concession stands and other planning. General managers rely on the athletic director to make sure the event runs smoothly for the team and sports management.
Education:
A college degree is required to be an athletic director, usually a master’s degree in business or a related field.
Skills:
Being an athletic director requires exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills. You must be able to work with different types of people, as well as handle stressful situations. Understanding sports marketing and trends are also helpful for public relations.
Salary:
As far as the median annual salary for an athletic director is concerned, $60,000 per year.
However, salaries can range from $40,000 to over $100,000 per year, depending on experience and the size of the school sports or organization.
Sports Journalist:
A sports journalist covers sporting events for news outlets, television networks, or radio stations. They may also write articles for magazines or websites. Sports journalists typically have a degree in journalism or a related field. Many sports journalists also have experience working as interns in the sports industry before they are hired full-time.
Education:
A college degree in journalism or a related field can be helpful but not always necessary for some jobs.
Skills:
A sports journalist should have superior writing skills and be able to report on live events. They should also be familiar with the athletes, teams, and leagues they cover.
Salary:
The median annual salary for a sports journalist is $55,000 per year.
Sports Physician:
Sports physicians treat injuries and other medical conditions for the athlete or team. A treatment plan for athletes with musculoskeletal injuries often includes a combination of rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). Sports medicine is constantly changing and mathematical models make alternative therapy plans more effective.
Education:
The college requirement for this career is typically a doctorate or higher.
Skills:
To prevent injuries as well as treat them a sports physician should be knowledgeable about the current sports medicine available. They should also have excellent communication skills as they will often be working with the athlete, coaches, and parents.
Salary:
The median annual salary for a sports physician is $89,000 per year.
Physical Therapist:
Physical therapists are responsible for the physical therapy of the athletes to have a quick recovery and help injury prevention. The other responsibilities of a physical therapist include designing individualized therapy programs, communicating with the athlete about their progress, and documenting all treatments. Physical therapists help athletes understand their ailments and how to effectively implement injury prevention with programs designed for the athlete personally.
Education:
Usually, a physical therapist will have at least a master’s degree or higher.
Skills:
To be a successful physical therapist, you should have excellent communication skills, be able to work well under pressure, and have great organizational skills.
Salary:
The median annual salary for a physical therapist is $103,000 per year.
Nutritionist:
A nutritionist helps athletes and the sports team by giving them dietary advice. They also work with the team’s chef to make sure that the food served is healthy and nutritious. In sports marketing, a nutritionist will be responsible for creating and implementing nutrition programs for athletes.
Education:
A nutritionist will usually have a bachelor’s degree in dietetics, food science, or a related field.
Skills:
To be a successful nutritionist, you should have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. You should also be able to work well under pressure and have great organizational skills.
Salary:
The median annual salary for a nutritionist is $73,000 per year.
Cardiovascular Specialist:
A cardiovascular specialist is responsible for the cardiovascular function of the athletes and determines what state of health their bodies are in. This specialist is also responsible for athletes to avoid overtraining and maintaining a healthy heart rate.
Education:
This career requires at least a doctorate or higher.
Skills:
A cardiovascular specialist should have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. They should also be able to work well under pressure and have great organizational skills.
Salary:
The median annual salary for a cardiovascular specialist is $85,000 per year.
Each of these careers requires different levels of education and experience, so you must do your research to see what options are available to you. Once you’ve decided on a few career paths that interest you, the next step is to start networking!
Sports Jobs In Your Area:
Network: Even with people who work in the sports marketing industry
Networking is key for careers in sports No matter what field you’re looking to break into, networking will always be a helpful tool. You never know who you’ll meet or what connections they may have. Attend sports events, connect with people on LinkedIn, and follow companies you’re interested in on social media.
A sports career is a great way to combine your love for sports with your professional goals. With so many options available, there’s sure to be a path that’s perfect for you.
Do your research, network, and don’t be afraid to think outside the box. With dedication and hard work, you can land the sports career of your dreams!
The sports world is constantly changing, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends. Reading trade publications, attending conferences, and subscribing to newsletters are all great ways to do this. And last but not least, don’t forget to brush up on your interviewing skills! Knowing how to sell yourself is just as important as knowing the ins and outs of the sports industry.
Get involved in a sports team at a young age – play on a team, go to athletic events, etc.
Look for information with your local community’s athletic department and volunteer to help with coordinating events. A sporting event is a great way to support teams but also be a positive experience for those public relations you want to develop.
Joining sports teams is another great step toward sports careers. You can learn a lot by being on professional teams such as sports-related injuries and what they look like or how to deal with them, sports management from the coaching, and even how to develop campaigns from an event coordinator for your sporting events.
Develop a network of contacts by attending as many sporting events as possible. Get to know the people who work in sports so you can learn more about careers in sports and what they entail. You may even find mentors who can help guide you on your career path. Keep in mind that it takes hard work and dedication to land a career in sports, but it is possible with the right mindset and approach.
You also need to be willing to start at the bottom and work your way up. Most people who have careers in sports started out working low-level jobs before eventually landing their dream job. So don’t get discouraged if you don’t get hired for your dream job right away. Just keep working hard and pursuing that dream job title.
Volunteer or intern with a professional sports organization
Did you know that professional athletes, assistant coaches, and even sports channels all have internships or volunteering programs? You can learn a lot about the industry by working with a professional sports organization, and it may even lead to a paid position down the road.
Whatever you choose to do, don’t give up on your dream of working in sports. Just keep pursuing it and eventually, you will land that perfect career.
Do you have any other tips for landing a career in sports? Share them with us in the comments below!