Sports is now a giant industry, no more the sideshow of international business activities that it used to be. It’s only natural that the industry should be run by experts having a wide range of managerial skills relating to law, analytics, finance, and human resources, together with different traditional business competencies.
A career in sports management, whether it is as a business development lead, an athletic director, a financial manager, a personnel manager, or public relations specialist, is much more rewarding than you imagined. According to a report by Research and Markets, the worldwide sports market is predicted to hit almost $599.9 billion by the year 2025.
Now, that you understand why it may be a good time to consider making a career in sports management, how do you land yourself a coveted job in this industry?
- Identify your goals: You need to have a clear idea about what you want to achieve. Use this clear vision to explore the different career opportunities that you can choose from. Look at what excites you, your abilities, and your skills. Are you interested in coaching or mentoring athletes? Do you have a natural flair for analytics and figures? Do you have good communication skills? Besides asking yourself these questions, you need to take into account other factors like salary, experience level, educational qualifications needed, and flexibility to relocate if the job demands it.
- Understand the industry: You may be a hardcore Manchester United fan, but is that enough to know the level of passion and commitment driving teams and sports organizations? It’s one thing to love sports and another thing to understand how the business of sports works in real life. Start by listening to podcasts about sporting events, reading well-written blogs on sports websites, watching sports networks, and reading up about the industry as a whole. It’s important to stay abreast of what is happening in the world of sports, including the role of AI and digital media in sports.
- Network as much as you can: “Who you know” is always more important than “what you know” in any industry, especially in sports careers. You must reach out to people in your circle, like your classmates, teachers, business associates, friends, and relatives, and tell them about your interest. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is attractive and impressive enough to get viewers and start engaging with people who matter in the world of sports. Attend sports conferences and become a part of sports organizations; use your presence and time there to ask questions and update yourself. You will find many influential people who can give you the break you are looking for.
- Get experience: Pursuing a career in sports management isn’t a cakewalk; most top-level jobs require certification and degrees. For instance, to be a fitness manager, marketing manager, contract negotiator, sports marketing coordinator, athletic director, etc, you need proper qualifications and certifications. Even if you don’t have a specific degree making you eligible for any of these special posts, you can always apply with a degree in sports management. That will help you stand out from the rest and give your career the much-needed push it needs. Along with acquiring the educational qualifications, you should strive to get experience through working at entry-level positions or doing sports internships.
Follow these easy tips to land yourself a high-paying job in sports management. Given that the sports industry has undergone a huge facelift, the time is now right to seek undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in sports management to take advantage of this sunrise industry.
