I know, I know. You’ve heard it before. If you’re a regular Sports Networker reader—and I hope you are if you’re passionate about working in sports—you’ve certainly been convinced of the power of personal branding. If you’re a college student (like me), you might still be figuring out what your personal brand looks like, and I’m here to tell you that’s perfectly okay. However, I would like to share some tips with you that have worked for me on my own journey in the sports industry.
Building a Personal Brand as a College Student
1. Build a Personal Brand Deck to Bring to Every Interview
While I’m researching for an interview, I also prepare what I call my “personal brand deck” to bring along and leave with my interviewer. Typically, I will include my resume, cover letter, one-page biography, testimonials (from previous internship supervisors), a writing sample, and any other appropriate documents in a simple portfolio folder that you can buy at your local office supply store. This is certain to impress the person you interview with because it shows you are approaching the interview very seriously.
2. Get on LinkedIn and Use it Often
If you’re not already on LinkedIn, sign up right NOW! It’s free, easy-to-use, and will go a long way in helping you connect with the decision makers who can hire you when you graduate from college. Also, take some time to really develop an excellent profile that gives potential employers a 360 view of who you are. This is your chance to pitch the product you know best—YOU!
3. Develop a Personal Website
Go ahead and purchase a personal domain (e.g. www.firstnamelastname.com) through a site like WordPress. These are relatively cheap and have a good selection of themes that are easy to customize with your own content. However, be sure that what you place on your website is consistent with your resume and LinkedIn profile. It is imperative that your personal brand remains uniform across platforms.
4. Get Your Own Business Cards…
…and when you do, always carry a few with you wherever you go. You never know who you will meet on a given day. These will also obviously come in handy while attending networking events. Those who have your business card can easily see your electronic resume when they visit the personal website listed on that business card. You did buy a domain like I told you, didn’t you?
5. Network, Network, Network
If you’ve had the opportunity to intern with a team or other sports organization, keep in touch with your supervisors there. Send periodic email updates while you’re still in college so that you’re fresh in that person’s mind when it comes time to graduate and find a job. Also learn how to reach out to leaders in the industry. Connect and interview them to ask for career tips—NOT a job. Attend major conferences where top industry executives will be speaking. Never stop networking. You never know which connection will be the one that helps you land your dream job after college.
6. Read, Read, Read
If you’re in college, internships are a wonderful way to gain industry experience while learning the tools of the trade. Multiple internships over the course of your four years in college, however, can sometimes be difficult to manage while trying to juggle classes, extracurricular activities, and a social life as well. As someone who has interned for four different professional sports franchises in the last 18 months, I know this first-hand. Bottom line: always be learning. Read books and Internet articles (like the ones found right here on Sports Networker) about the industry. Email sports executives that you know and even ones you don’t know asking for answers to your questions about the industry. In the words of Albert Einstein, “Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.”
7. Establish a unique brand position
What makes your personal brand unique? In a recent Sports Networker article, Chris McKinney notes the importance of answering the following question: “If you position yourself as a business, or a brand, what sets you apart? What’s your expertise? What’s your specialty?” Personally, I have a passion for entrepreneurship, and I even helped to start a small consulting business (that I still work for) when I was a sophomore. I bring that entrepreneurial spirit into the sports industry by offering value as an innovator that can connect the dots before the dots are even there. In today’s world, it is essential that organizations in sports business stay at the forefront of the industry or else they will be left behind. New ideas sparked by an entrepreneurial mindset are the solution to that problem.
While building a personal brand requires quality self-reflection as well as time to grow your network, it is essential that every college student works hard to develop one. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start selling your personal brand to the world!
Comment below and send us a tweet @SportsNetworker
Great post, Chris! You certainly know your stuff!
Nice post – really like it!
Just a quick question: what if you can’t work with a sports team while in college? I went to school in a SMALL town, no where near a sports team/organization (had to spend summers with family – long story) and now, I’m in Australia where sports teams don’t really do internships. What can you do in place of an internship with a sports team that still gets you good experience?
Thanks!
Thanks for the question, Kayla. For those who don’t live near a large metropolitan area, I’d suggest working with your school’s athletic department. As coincidence would have it, my mentor at Sporting Kansas City had one of her very first internships with the Australian Rugby Union. But if an internship isn’t possible, I’d suggest calling and asking to volunteer in a game-day capacity, perhaps with a team in A-League or the Australian Football League.
Great article, Chris! Really love the personal brand deck idea for interviews!
Hi there! I just would like to give a huge thumbs up for the good data you may have right here on this
post. I will be coming again to your blog for more soon.
Whats up! I just would like to give a huge thumbs up for the great
information you’ve right here on this post.
I shall be coming again to your weblog for extra soon.
Whats up! I simply wish to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you’ve gotten right here on this post.
I will probably be coming back to your weblog for extra soon.
Great article! This is the type of info that are supposed to be shared across the
internet. Shame on Google for now not positioning this put up higher!
Come on over and seek advice from my website .
Thanks =)
Hi, I do think this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will
return once again since I bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to
change, may you be rich and continue to help others.
Hi it’s me, I am also visiting this website on a regular basis, this web page is really fastidious
and the users are in fact sharing nice thoughts.
Simply want to say your article is as astounding.
The clearness to your put up is just great and that i could assume you are an expert in this subject.
Well along with your permission let me to clutch your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post.
Thank you 1,000,000 and please carry on the gratifying work.
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular post!
It is the little changes that will make the most significant changes.
Thanks for sharing!
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging
on websites I stumbleupon everyday. It will always be exciting to read through articles from other writers
and use a little something from their sites.
Article writing is also a fun, if you be familiar with after that you can write otherwise it
is difficult to write.
There’s definately a lot to find out about this issue. I like
all the points you have made.
Pretty component to content. I simply stumbled
upon your site and in accession capital to claim that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts.
Anyway I will be subscribing in your feeds or even I fulfillment you get right of entry to consistently rapidly.
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post
was good. I don’t know who you are but certainly you are going
to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
If some one desires to be updated with most up-to-date technologies afterward he must be go to see this website and be up to date daily.
The mechanism of action and rationale therapeutic use
of omega-3 PUFA is partly due to their influence on the state of eicosanoids.
If you feel like your diet is lacking, then consider an Omega-3 supplement like Krill Oil from Prograde or the Omega-3 Complex from Nutrilite.
Real world conclusion – the best omega-3 still needs
both.
Simply want to say your article is as astounding. The clearness on your put up is just cool and that i could assume you are a professional in this subject. Fine along with your permission allow me to grasp your feed to stay up to date with coming near near post. Thanks one million and please continue the enjoyable work.
krill oil benefits http://www.bookjetty.com/forums/6/topics/47674?post_id=48151
Good post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon on a
daily basis. It will always be exciting to read through content from other writers and practice
something from other web sites.
I have been surfing on-line more than 3 hours as of late, yet
I by no means discovered any fascinating article
like yours. It is lovely price sufficient for me.
In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did,
the net shall be much more helpful than ever before.
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you so much,
However I am going through problems with your RSS.
I don’t understand why I cannot join it. Is there anyone else having similar RSS issues?
Anyone that knows the solution can you kindly respond?
Thanx!!
What a data of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable know-how on the topic of unpredicted emotions.
These negotiations should be led by a seasoned
lawyer to make sure that the settlement reached upon is the most ideal situation for the victim,
as far as the client is concerned. A few points that could help victims choose the right
professional are as follows:. Not only does one need to recover from the injury, but in addition they have to think about different necessary costs
of the injury similar to medical expenses, lack of income, and long term medical expenses.
My brother suggested I may like this web site.
He used to be entirely right. This submit truly made my day.
You cann’t consider just how much time I had spent for
this info! Thank you!
Obscene language, which I reviewed in detail party poker reload to every single day.
00 must be made initially to be a way to help but died in the future.
Just make sure your winnings separately from your winnings will
be allowed to use and attract players. Look around and with the bonuses aren’t
automatic bonuses. Deciding which Players Club.
Fai and his penchant for playing games. If convicted at trial, they are investigating themselves, Mr.
Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author.I will always
bookmark your blog and will eventually come back very soon. I want to encourage that you continue your great job, have a nice
morning!
ヘイ！私はこれがオフトピックちょっと知っているしかし私は考え出したのだ、私はお願いしたい。あなたがに興味がある交換リンクまたは多分ゲストオーサリングポストをまたはその逆？マイ同じたくさんのサイト トピックをあなたと私は感じると私たちは大いに相互に利益を得ることができる。あれば興味がシュートまでお気軽電子メールの電子メール私にあなたがすることが起こる。私はあなたからの聴取を楽しみにしています！ 恐ろしい経由でブログ！
山东瘦脸针
北京整形机构哪里好 http://wfsh.org/
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to this online IB writing service. With the overwhelming workload of the IB program, I was constantly stressed about meeting deadlines and maintaining the quality of my assignments. This service came to my rescue, providing me with well-researched and impeccably written essays for my subjects. Their writers https://ibstudenthelp.com seemed to possess an in-depth understanding of the IB curriculum, which translated into assignments that not only met the criteria but exceeded my expectations. Thanks to them, I could focus on understanding the concepts instead of drowning in the writing process.
Perhaps the most prominent advantage is their convenience. Disposable vape Products bundles come pre-packaged and pre-filled with e-liquid, eliminating the need for any additional accessories or maintenance. This convenience makes them Fume ideal for both beginners and experienced vapers who want a hassle-free experience.
It’s clear that you have a talent for inspiring and motivating others through your words.