3 answers
3 answers
Updated
Morgan’s Answer
Hi Jake,
This is such a great question - getting into the world of professional sports is exciting to many, but very smart of you to consider the realities of what it would actually be like. I just wrapped up 7 years of working for a PGA TOUR host organization - meaning we host the golf tournament and the PGA TOUR provides the professionals.
Working in sports is a front row seat in the action and can be very rewarding. The one thing I would caution - is that it is more than a really cool job, as it is still a job. Sports tend to be a very demanding profession as many leagues gave games/tournaments on the weekends and holidays. Also, you are there to work - not meet the athletes and observe. If sports is your passion go for it - will be something that holds your interest.
It is best to identify a college with a sports management program, as they have the best long-term networking opportunities and so much of sports is about who you know.
Good luck!
Morgan
This is such a great question - getting into the world of professional sports is exciting to many, but very smart of you to consider the realities of what it would actually be like. I just wrapped up 7 years of working for a PGA TOUR host organization - meaning we host the golf tournament and the PGA TOUR provides the professionals.
Working in sports is a front row seat in the action and can be very rewarding. The one thing I would caution - is that it is more than a really cool job, as it is still a job. Sports tend to be a very demanding profession as many leagues gave games/tournaments on the weekends and holidays. Also, you are there to work - not meet the athletes and observe. If sports is your passion go for it - will be something that holds your interest.
It is best to identify a college with a sports management program, as they have the best long-term networking opportunities and so much of sports is about who you know.
Good luck!
Morgan
Updated
Brad’s Answer
Hi Jake,
If you're passionate about sports then the challenges won't seem like challenges but rather hurdles that you learn from and gain experience and perspective from. There are many different avenues to finding a career in sports. Are there certain areas you're passionate or most interested in pursuing? Depending on what avenue you take one thing you'll learn is that sports and your job within sports might require you to work on weekends, holidays, and/or longer hours than most. There are some sacrifices that you have to make when working in sports but if you're truly passionate about the career path then it's worth the investment!
If you're passionate about sports then the challenges won't seem like challenges but rather hurdles that you learn from and gain experience and perspective from. There are many different avenues to finding a career in sports. Are there certain areas you're passionate or most interested in pursuing? Depending on what avenue you take one thing you'll learn is that sports and your job within sports might require you to work on weekends, holidays, and/or longer hours than most. There are some sacrifices that you have to make when working in sports but if you're truly passionate about the career path then it's worth the investment!
Updated
Louise’s Answer
Hi Jack from Massachusetts, I am Louise from Wicklow, Ireland. When I was going to college I worked at weekends in a Leisure(Sports) Center close to home, always cycled there and back. The hard bits are lots of cleaning - all changing areas need to be cleaned down regularly; if there is a restaurant you may have to serve food or clear tables; can be very busy at weekends children running, jumping so you may have to perform first aid on injured parties or CPR if there is an incident in the pool. But here are the great bits - you can get all your qualifications on the job - swimming certification; body pump; lifeguard - these have to be kept up todate so if the Sports center pays for this you save money. You meet lots of great people learning on the job and also adults and children wanting to learn how to swim - when you teach them the basics as a coach and watch their development that is so rewarding.