| You don’t have to hang up your soccer | | | | rehabilitation--helping to restore function following |
| cleats or trade in your tennis racket when your | | | | an accident or debilitating illness. They may |
| school days are over. By choosing a career in a | | | | manage a wellness center, teach, or conduct |
| sports-related field you can stay in the game | | | | research. Most jobs require a minimum of a |
| indefinitely. | | | | master’s degree with an expertise in exercise |
| People who love athletics can work in areas as | | | | physiology |
| diverse as medicine, management, marketing, | | | | Sports Agent |
| manufacturing and many other sports-occupational | | | | A sports agent acts as a professional |
| areas. Prospects are increasing as more people | | | | athlete’s representative in negotiating |
| play and watch sports. With the explosion of | | | | contracts, salaries, endorsements, and other |
| sports for women and girls, entire industries have | | | | business arrangements. Education includes a |
| sprung up, such as women’s clothing and | | | | four-year college degree in business or a related |
| equipment. In other careers--like sports journalism | | | | major, often followed by a law degree. |
| and sports administration and sports | | | | Negotiating skills, sales ability, and ability to work |
| training--opportunities for women to participate in | | | | under stressful conditions are all traits of the |
| previously male-dominated have, if not leveled the | | | | successful sports agent. |
| playing field, at least greatly expanded it. | | | | Sports Official |
| There are over six million jobs in sports-related | | | | A sports official is the field-of-play arbitrator of |
| careers, according to Donna Lopiano, executive | | | | rules at an athletic event. The ability to make |
| director of the Women’s Sports Foundation. | | | | instantaneous decisions, resolve conflicts, and deal |
| While many of these jobs take special education | | | | with stress and pressure, as well as the fitness |
| and training, entry-level positions exist for young | | | | level to keep up with the game are keys to |
| men and women willing to work their way up. | | | | success in this field. Men and women are needed |
| Careers in sports take many forms. While many | | | | to officiate in every sport and at every level |
| young athletes dream of making it to the | | | | from youth to professional leagues. Most people |
| professional ranks, the reality is that very few | | | | start by studying the rules of the sport and |
| make it that far. In other sports-related careers | | | | attending clinics, followed by officiating at youth |
| the news is more encouraging. From educators to | | | | and recreational levels. From there, dedicated |
| architects, facilities managers to fitness | | | | officials can advance into high school and college |
| instructors, physical therapists to professional | | | | sports. Officiating at the professional level is like |
| athletes, there are positions to fill. | | | | playing in the pros—only a very few of the |
| Below is a sample of jobs with suggested | | | | finest, most ambitious make it. |
| education and/or training requirements for | | | | The areas with the most opportunities during the |
| breaking into the field. | | | | next five years are estimated to be new |
| Sports Journalist | | | | business development, sports apparel, internet |
| Sports journalists report on the news of the | | | | marketing, coaching and athletic administration, and |
| sports world to the public. A four-year degree in | | | | officiating. |
| journalism and/or equivalent writing experience is | | | | Tips to getting started in a sports career: |
| recommended. Job opportunities exist in | | | | • Assess your skills and determine how to |
| newspapers and magazines, radio, and television. | | | | translate them into a career in sports. |
| Most beginning journalists begin as interns on | | | | • Set goals. Think about what interests you |
| college newspapers, radio, or television stations or | | | | and what you have to offer. Career planning is a |
| as general reporters on small-town newspapers. | | | | process. |
| Curiosity, writing, and interviewing skills and the | | | | • Seek the advice of guidance counselors and |
| ability to work within deadlines are characteristics | | | | do career research to create an educational |
| of successful journalists. | | | | program to fit your needs. |
| College Coach | | | | • Follow the educational or training plan |
| College and university coaches are responsible for | | | | you’ve developed. |
| getting athletic teams ready to play in competition. | | | | • Get experience. Internships, work-study, |
| In smaller colleges they may coach several | | | | part-time and summer jobs, and volunteering can |
| sports, while in larger institutions they are mainly | | | | help you prepare for a career and allow |
| responsible for just one team. Duties include | | | | employers to assess your talents. |
| recruiting players, developing game strategies, and | | | | • Enter the job market, looking for entry-level |
| teaching skills. Most college coaching positions | | | | positions or jobs that match your experience and |
| require a minimum of four years of college. A | | | | that can be paths to your career goal. |
| typical career path might begin as an athlete, | | | | • Network. Join professional organizations, |
| followed by becoming an assistant coach at the | | | | attend conferences, volunteer for leadership |
| high school or college level. | | | | positions. Seek a mentor—someone who can |
| Exercise Physiologist | | | | assist you on your career path. |
| An exercise physiologist studies how the stress | | | | While it’s not enough just to love a particular |
| of exercise affects the body. The most common | | | | sport or sports in general, your passion can help |
| areas in which exercise physiologists work are | | | | you chose a career that combines business and |
| prevention--teaching healthy lifestyle habits--and | | | | pleasure. |