If you’re a fan of sports but also motivated, willing to learn, and career focused, a career in the sports field may be suited for you. With the business of sports expanding, teams need outstanding employees to help them sell tickets, gain event advertising, and coordinate efforts to promote the team in the community.
If this sounds great to you, like it does for me, you’re probably asking: “How can I get started?” With my graduation one year away, I’ve been trying to find out how to break into the industry. After exploring sports jobs boards and looking up information on getting your foot in the door, I am able to offer some solid answers for anyone else who would like to know more.
When you’re in college, you should major in business, communications, marketing, or sports management. Degrees in sports management have increased in popularity over the last few years, with schools offering undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, and sometimes both. If you are majoring in sports management, you will learn about how businesses and sports are related today. You will also take classes in economics, sports law, and sports marketing; just to name a few.
If you do not receive a sports management degree, but you still possess a four year degree, you do have other options for training. There are legitimate programs out there that will prepare you for the career of your choice For example, Sports Management Worldwide (SMWW) has paired with Northcentral University to offer masters and doctorate degrees in sports management and sports business. SMWW’s accredited program offers an eight week online interactive course for anyone interested in sports marketing, athlete representation, or becoming a general manager for a professional sports team. Courses are offered on topics such as Sports Information, Economics of Sports, Sports Law, and International Sports.
Another well known organization is the Game Face Academy, which is held in Tualatin, Oregon about every 60 days. Game Face is an intense program for college graduates who are interested in a career in the sports industry. During an Academy session, candidates receive classroom training and participate in a marketing campaign for a Game Face client. Clients in the past have included the St. Louis Cardinals, the Boston Bruins, and the Super Bowl. They also receive interview training to prepare to speak to recruiters from professional sports teams who travel to Game Face each session. In the past, graduates have been placed in numerous positions with these teams such as account executives and group sales representatives.
Of course, internships are extremely important. You can get an internship with a professional sports team anywhere you have local housing, even if you have to bunk up with a friend or extended family members. Internships are available in all areas of sports including ticket sales, media relations, community relations, and many more. There are numerous job boards you can use to look for and apply for internships such as job boards for all professional sports leagues (NHL, NBA, MLB, MLS, NFL, etc.) and sports careers boards such as sportscareerfinder.com and workinsports.com.
Now that you know how you can start training, you should know if you have the right traits to be in this field. A series of videos on Teamwork Online, an online sports job board interviewed professionals in the sports industry about what they are looking for in candidates. It is important to want to learn about sports inside and out as well as the job you are doing. Of course, it is also essential that you carry a positive attitude, even when you are uncomfortable initially.
Chad Estis, the Executive Vice President for the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, says the best thing a new graduate can do when entering a sports career is “come prepared to be a professional.” He says it is important to put extra time in on a new job; the people who do this and exhibit a strong work ethic will have more success early on. He also encourages applicants to research the company you want to work for and if possible, find out about the people you will be working with to make sure you will be comfortable in the company culture.
Buffy Filippel, who has recruited over 350 sports executives, regularly gives speeches to college students and answers reader letters about how to make their mark in sports. In a speech she gave at Robert Morris University called “Aim for the Stars”, she gives other practical advice on how future professionals can become leaders and stand out in the competition for sports jobs:
If you are vying for a ticket sales job, put together a ticket sales idea and strategy on how the team could sell more tickets. It doesn’t have to be right; just show some initiative.”
“If you are going for a corporate sales job, write a corporate sponsorship appeal.”
“Internships-do them right here in your own backyard. One former student worked right here at Robert Morris and sold tickets. She was the hottest candidate for an NBA team job.”
“There are tons of internships in the fall. If you want your pick of the best, organize your schedule to be open in the fall.”
“You have your best chance locally, or wherever you have family.”
Still think you have what it takes to succeed? Read the next part of this series for more information on the types of career opportunities available to you and what it will take for you to land your dream job.
