11 answers
Kayla
Student
North Adams, Massachusetts
2
Questions
Asked
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What are important steps to take when trying to figure out where you want to work?
I love sports and I want my job to involve sports. #sports
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11 answers
Syed Ferdous
Program Manager
100
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Syed’s Answer
Hi Kayla,
Since you're specifically interested in sports, here are some things you should look at:
1. The intrinsic growth of the sport: Baseball is declining in popularity in the US, basketball is continuing to grow. Go where the growth is.
2. The popularity of the team or organization you want to work for: You want to work for a team that is popular and that is on the ascent (i.e. winning division titles, having the best players on their roster, etc.)
3. Figure out how much of the organization is composed of ex-athletes and family/friends of the owner: Oftentimes in sports, the best positions are for former players and people very close to the ownership group. If you don't belong to either of these groups, you will hit a glass ceiling when working for a team or league
4. Determine what kind of education you need: Teams and leagues need all types of skills. Figure out what roles are in demand (e.g. Accounting, Legal, Finance, Sales, Analytics/Data Science, Marketing, Operations, etc.). Get the appropriate education at schools that place well in Sports.
5. Network very hard with people in the sports world -> Reach out on LinkedIn, attend networking events and show confidence
Best of luck!
Since you're specifically interested in sports, here are some things you should look at:
1. The intrinsic growth of the sport: Baseball is declining in popularity in the US, basketball is continuing to grow. Go where the growth is.
2. The popularity of the team or organization you want to work for: You want to work for a team that is popular and that is on the ascent (i.e. winning division titles, having the best players on their roster, etc.)
3. Figure out how much of the organization is composed of ex-athletes and family/friends of the owner: Oftentimes in sports, the best positions are for former players and people very close to the ownership group. If you don't belong to either of these groups, you will hit a glass ceiling when working for a team or league
4. Determine what kind of education you need: Teams and leagues need all types of skills. Figure out what roles are in demand (e.g. Accounting, Legal, Finance, Sales, Analytics/Data Science, Marketing, Operations, etc.). Get the appropriate education at schools that place well in Sports.
5. Network very hard with people in the sports world -> Reach out on LinkedIn, attend networking events and show confidence
Best of luck!
Anthony Rizzo
Graduate Assistant- College Athletics
30
Answers
Tallahassee, Florida
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Hey Kayla, I am happy to help answer your question. If you are interested in developing a career in sports, I would highly recommend that you get involved as much as you can. Look for opportunities to volunteer at your school or University, or at a local high school or sport organization. Also look for the opportunity to get internship experience with local sport organizations. Developing a successful career in the sport industry is all about getting your foot in the door and getting practical experience, whether as a volunteer or intern.
Another thing you can do is network. If you are not already, make sure to join LinkedIn. Take the opportunity to research people who currently hold positions you wish to obtain. Connect with these people and reach out and ask to set up an informational interview. This is a great opportunity to learn more about what they do. Make sure to stay connected with these individuals and build a relationship with them. Also look into networking events hosted by local organizations or groups in your area. Sometimes these are sports specific, but even if they aren't, these events are another great opportunity to build connections in the industry.
Another thing you can do is network. If you are not already, make sure to join LinkedIn. Take the opportunity to research people who currently hold positions you wish to obtain. Connect with these people and reach out and ask to set up an informational interview. This is a great opportunity to learn more about what they do. Make sure to stay connected with these individuals and build a relationship with them. Also look into networking events hosted by local organizations or groups in your area. Sometimes these are sports specific, but even if they aren't, these events are another great opportunity to build connections in the industry.
Matthew Roque-Paskow
30
Answers
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
Kayla,
I had the opportunity to work in sport for around 5 years. The best way to get your foot in the door is to volunteer. A great way to get that first volunteer/ internship is to contact your local Universities. Go on their athletic website, find the director of the department you are interested (e.g. Marketing) and ask how you can start helping.
Most sport organizations are always looking for an extra hand.
Just a heads up, working in sport often requires long hours, and low pay (especially in the beginning of your career, but if it is something you love, that won't matter!)
I had the opportunity to work in sport for around 5 years. The best way to get your foot in the door is to volunteer. A great way to get that first volunteer/ internship is to contact your local Universities. Go on their athletic website, find the director of the department you are interested (e.g. Marketing) and ask how you can start helping.
Most sport organizations are always looking for an extra hand.
Just a heads up, working in sport often requires long hours, and low pay (especially in the beginning of your career, but if it is something you love, that won't matter!)
Kalyn Flockhart
Director
1
Answer
Winchester, Connecticut
Updated
Kalyn’s Answer
Hi Kayla,
Like others have said, you need to find your passion. For me it was playing sports and watching movies, so I combined the two and I work in sports media. If you enjoy hands on, try sports medicine or physical therapy, even physical education or coaching. In most areas you take referee classes and do side work as a ref for various sports, this can get you in the door with schools and organizations. If you prefer the team aspect, look for opportunities to intern with local clubs (minor league baseball, MLS, etc) to join their social media relations, PR or marketing. In the beginning it might just be getting coffee, but getting your foot in the door is the most important thing. Start with doing what you love and build on that. Sports are everywhere, maybe not right now, but you can tie your passion into sports in some way.
Like others have said, you need to find your passion. For me it was playing sports and watching movies, so I combined the two and I work in sports media. If you enjoy hands on, try sports medicine or physical therapy, even physical education or coaching. In most areas you take referee classes and do side work as a ref for various sports, this can get you in the door with schools and organizations. If you prefer the team aspect, look for opportunities to intern with local clubs (minor league baseball, MLS, etc) to join their social media relations, PR or marketing. In the beginning it might just be getting coffee, but getting your foot in the door is the most important thing. Start with doing what you love and build on that. Sports are everywhere, maybe not right now, but you can tie your passion into sports in some way.
Riley Sadil
Researcher
4
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Riley’s Answer
Hi Kayla,
This is a good question and it's actually how I got started in my own career. I knew that I really liked sports and wanted to figure out a way to work with athletes. To me the answer lies in looking for what excites you about sports. Is it working with athletes to help them be better? Working with teams to help them market? Or like I do, helping a company make product for the athletes. This is the long road of self discovery and there's no easy way to go about it. But exploring different interests in classes such as economics, design, programming, whatever you're drawn to is a good place to start. That, and talking to people one on one about their jobs. These are called informational interviews, and you'd be surprised how helpful people are in this regard. All you have to do is get someone's email, and say "Hi, I'm interested in learning more about your role and the company you work for. Would you be up for getting a cup of coffee with me to talk more about your job? " It looks like you're in Western Mass, but Boston has a great sporting scene including product companies such as Puma, Reebok, and New Balance. Hope that helps. Feel free to reach out with any more questions.
Set up informational interviews with people who work in jobs you're curious to learn more about
Explore passions through classes in formal and informal settings
This is a good question and it's actually how I got started in my own career. I knew that I really liked sports and wanted to figure out a way to work with athletes. To me the answer lies in looking for what excites you about sports. Is it working with athletes to help them be better? Working with teams to help them market? Or like I do, helping a company make product for the athletes. This is the long road of self discovery and there's no easy way to go about it. But exploring different interests in classes such as economics, design, programming, whatever you're drawn to is a good place to start. That, and talking to people one on one about their jobs. These are called informational interviews, and you'd be surprised how helpful people are in this regard. All you have to do is get someone's email, and say "Hi, I'm interested in learning more about your role and the company you work for. Would you be up for getting a cup of coffee with me to talk more about your job? " It looks like you're in Western Mass, but Boston has a great sporting scene including product companies such as Puma, Reebok, and New Balance. Hope that helps. Feel free to reach out with any more questions.
Riley recommends the following next steps:
Giovanni Palermo
Project Analyst 1
18
Answers
Germantown, Maryland
Updated
Giovanni’s Answer
Hi Kayla,
1. Find what sports are growing and see what level of connection you have with the sport. Chances are you've probably played it and or already have a passion for it. (Example: Soccer growing in the U.S)
2. Familiarize yourself with the league and the teams that participate in the league. (Example: MLS, New England Revolution)
3. Learn more about your home team. See the history they hold, the involvement with the community, and how they're growing. (The club's organization and involvement with the community is key)
4. Take a quick trip around the jobs that the team offers in order to get an insight of what positions the organization offers. A team will have an accounting team, marketing and communications team, and operations team. See which teams within the club grabs your attention and look at the requirements that a position within the team has in regards to education and experience; this can prepare you to meet the requirements ahead of applying for a potential job related to sports
5. Network! You can network with those who work for you home team during a match, on their site, and even on LinkedIn where you'll be able to talk to a vast amount of professionals in the sports industry
Thank you, I hope this helps you in pursuing a career in the sports industry.
1. Find what sports are growing and see what level of connection you have with the sport. Chances are you've probably played it and or already have a passion for it. (Example: Soccer growing in the U.S)
2. Familiarize yourself with the league and the teams that participate in the league. (Example: MLS, New England Revolution)
3. Learn more about your home team. See the history they hold, the involvement with the community, and how they're growing. (The club's organization and involvement with the community is key)
4. Take a quick trip around the jobs that the team offers in order to get an insight of what positions the organization offers. A team will have an accounting team, marketing and communications team, and operations team. See which teams within the club grabs your attention and look at the requirements that a position within the team has in regards to education and experience; this can prepare you to meet the requirements ahead of applying for a potential job related to sports
5. Network! You can network with those who work for you home team during a match, on their site, and even on LinkedIn where you'll be able to talk to a vast amount of professionals in the sports industry
Thank you, I hope this helps you in pursuing a career in the sports industry.
Fernando M
marketing
1
Answer
Singapore
Updated
Fernando’s Answer
Hi Kayla, I think you should try to combine a few of your passions and pursue them together. For example, I love traveling, sports and have a management degree so I ended up working for a multinational that sponsors a lot of global sports events.
It was clear that I wasn't going to be an athlete or a coach so combining my skills with my passions gave me the clarity of what I wanted to do. I also kept an open mind on where to live and do these jobs...I have lived in countries that I have never considered growing up.
It was clear that I wasn't going to be an athlete or a coach so combining my skills with my passions gave me the clarity of what I wanted to do. I also kept an open mind on where to live and do these jobs...I have lived in countries that I have never considered growing up.
Veronica Hernandez
Sales
6
Answers
Ecorse, Michigan
Updated
Veronica’s Answer
Focusing on what you want to do or what impact you want to make is a good place to start - the where will come after. Once you have a solid foundation for what you want to do then you can narrow down which places fit the space you want to work in.
Edward McCutcheon
Financial Markets Associate
1
Answer
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Edward’s Answer
Hey Kayla,
I would echo what the others have suggested so far; research the industry, familiarize yourself with the desired skills and network.
One tip that was helpful for me during my job search was using LinkedIn, HandShake or other social networks to find any past connections or members in your alumni network who currently work in the industry. I was surprised to find how many established professionals were willing to take the time to have a conversation and share their knowledge.
I think this would be a efficient and targeted way to research and network in one motion, while working on your soft skills , such as giving your elevator pitch, talking about the industry, and general personal skills. I know as someone who always struggled with phone calls and talking to strangers confidently, this was definitely one of the greatest things for me that resulted from this practice.
I hope this helps and best of luck!
I would echo what the others have suggested so far; research the industry, familiarize yourself with the desired skills and network.
One tip that was helpful for me during my job search was using LinkedIn, HandShake or other social networks to find any past connections or members in your alumni network who currently work in the industry. I was surprised to find how many established professionals were willing to take the time to have a conversation and share their knowledge.
I think this would be a efficient and targeted way to research and network in one motion, while working on your soft skills , such as giving your elevator pitch, talking about the industry, and general personal skills. I know as someone who always struggled with phone calls and talking to strangers confidently, this was definitely one of the greatest things for me that resulted from this practice.
I hope this helps and best of luck!
Terry Mott
sell cars
2
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Terry’s Answer
I love sports as well, I am actually an usher at Michigan Stadium. My suggestion would be to see if you could start out doing something like that. There are people that actually work for the University that are there every Saturday. They can lead you in the right direction.
Austin Claiborne
VIP & Hospitality Coordinator
8
Answers
Alameda, California
Updated
Austin’s Answer
Research, Research, Research!
In my experience, the biggest factor in knowing where to work is learning as much as you can about the sports industry. For example, when I knew I was going to try and work in sports, I tried to use LinkedIn and job fairs as ways to meet people who work in sports so that I could learn about their experiences. Doing so was how I learned the following:
-MLB season being the best if you like working games (with 82 home games, it's the longest season)
-NFL being the best if you like working in an office setting (with only 10 guaranteed regular season and preseason home games, a lot of in-office time)
-NBA and NHL having a very similar balance of working games and being in the office (their schedules are almost identical)
These are just some of the things I learned by researching. So I definitely recommend researching in order to find out which ones you would like to work in for your career since you certainly will be able to work for all of them if you choose to.
In my experience, the biggest factor in knowing where to work is learning as much as you can about the sports industry. For example, when I knew I was going to try and work in sports, I tried to use LinkedIn and job fairs as ways to meet people who work in sports so that I could learn about their experiences. Doing so was how I learned the following:
-MLB season being the best if you like working games (with 82 home games, it's the longest season)
-NFL being the best if you like working in an office setting (with only 10 guaranteed regular season and preseason home games, a lot of in-office time)
-NBA and NHL having a very similar balance of working games and being in the office (their schedules are almost identical)
These are just some of the things I learned by researching. So I definitely recommend researching in order to find out which ones you would like to work in for your career since you certainly will be able to work for all of them if you choose to.