The sports industry is a $400 billion industry that is one of the most sought after fields to work around. There’s the constant struggle of business professionals looking to move from another industry to sports along with thousands of students graduating every year that want to work in sports.
But that’s where you come in: the student, the young professional, or the individual with a handful of years of experience that’s looking to make a name for yourself in the industry. Because the sports world is becoming more complicated and more commercial, there’s a need for educated individuals with real-world experience to fill jobs in sports administration.
Types Of Jobs In Sports Administration
[easyazon-image align=”left” asin=”1448869013″ locale=”us” height=”160″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51nABe6wznL._SL160_.jpg” width=”108″] Jobs in sports administration cross over a lot with jobs in sports management.
The two niches obviously involve the business side of the sports industry and because of their competitive nature, it’s extremely difficult for recent college graduates to break into the industry.
For those fortunate enough to obtain an entry-level position, it’s long hours, minimal wage, and a continuing battle to move up the corporate ladder.
Jobs in sports administration include, but aren’t limited to, the following positions:
- Athletic director
- General manger
- Associate director of marketing
- Assistant director of facilities
- Director of youth sports
- Media relations director
- Advertising sales representative
- Guest service manager
- Vice president of finance/accounting
- Ticket manager
- Special event promotions manger
- Tournament planner
- Sports information director
- Customer relations director
How To Get Jobs In Sports Administration
So you’re goal is to work in the front office of the National Football League? Or, maybe you’d like to work in Colorado Springs, Co. at the U.S. Olympic Committee’s headquarters?
Jobs in sports administration are definitely attainable, but only if you put yourself in the best possible position to advance your career.
It’s obviously necessary to obtain at least an undergraduate degree, but that is just the beginning.
Attending sports conferences, volunteering at local events, and connecting with sports industry professionals afford you an opportunity to help you land those jobs in sports administration.
Checking out sports-specific job boards such as WorkinSports.com and TeamworkOnline are great areas to look for jobs in sports as well.
Laura Gentile — Vice President, espnW
Laura Gentile is Vice President of espnW, ESPN’s first dedicated business built to serve, inform and inspire female athletes and fans.
espnW initially launched in Dec. 2010 as a blog and evolved as of April 2011 to an enhanced web site at espnW.com. The site endeavors to become the premiere site for women’s sports and provides commentary, in-depth features and storytelling on the sports world at large.
The espnW brand lives across social platforms, mobile, events such as the espnW: Women + Sports Summit, television and films.
Below, Ms. Gentile offers one piece of advice on how to obtain jobs in sports administration. Still, the advice can be applied across the entire sports world.
“I would certainly recommend that you set very clear goals for yourself and have a good sense of what path you wanna take. You ought to know that you can do anything you set your mind to. So don’t get too crazy that the path you set you have to stay on because there is a lot of adventure out there, there is a lot of opportunity out there.
“You need openly to show that you are a results-driven person, that you can make things happen and you’re somebody to be trusted and invested in from an intelligence perspective and a go getter perspective.”
Connect with her on Twitter as well as LinkedIn.
College Programs That Can Help You Land Jobs In Sports Administration
[easyazon-image align=”left” asin=”0763796077″ locale=”us” height=”160″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5155MyVBuoL._SL160_.jpg” width=”108″] Like many niches within the sports industry, sports administration is a highly-competitive field of study.
Some colleges and universities within the United States offering similar programs have clearly made a name for themselves, such as Ohio University.
By participating in a sports administration program — especially at the graduate level — it allows you to expand your network and gain real word experience that can be certainly beneficial in the long run.
Below, Sports Networker highlights a few universities where aspiring sports business professionals can obtain a worthwhile experience before hopefully landing their dream job.
Ohio University — Department Of Sports Administration
Even since the introduction of the Master’s of Sports Administration degree in 1966, Ohio University has been a nationally-recognized school for its program. Through the Department of Sports Administration, the University offers the Professional MSA degree through an online format for practicing professionals.
The overall experience teaches students the skills necessary for sales, management, and marketing positions within the sports industry. In addition, participants are informed of the challenges within the industry and how to face them head on in the competitive business world.
The two-year MBA/MSA degree at Ohio University combines the business part of the MBA program with the sports-specific knowledge learned during the Master’s of Sports Administration. A few years ago, the MBA program was highlighted on BusinessWeek’s List for Best Business Programs in the country.
Contact: MBA/MSA Program, MSA Program and Professional MSA Program – Apply here.
Still The One: Ohio University Sports Administration Program Overview
University Of North Carolina — Department Of Exercise And Sport Science
The undergraduate program at the University of North Carolina ultimately prepares students to work in high-level sports setting by providing classes to sports-related business.
The different topics included within the curriculum include sports marketing, facility and event management, community relations, sponsorship, and other areas within the sports industry.
Additionally, the University offers a graduate program, which has been in existence for 30 years. Like the undergraduate degree, this program provides academic as well as practical experiences to its students in order to better themselves to work in the sports industry post-graduation.
Contact: Graduate Program – Apply here, Undergraduate Program – Apply here.
Social Media: Facebook
Belmont University – Master Of Sport Administration
The Master of Sport Administration at Belmont University is an application-based program designed to prepare you for work in the sport industry. It provides you the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills through an advanced curriculum while also completing internship experiences in the sport industry.
You can complete the Master of Sport Administration in two calendar years of full time study or continue to work while you take classes part-time.
While you complete your graduate studies you will be in the heart of the sport industry in Nashville, TN amid many opportunities for internships, networking, and career placement. Nashville is the home to many professional sports organizations such as the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, NHL’s Nashville Predators, AAA Baseball’s Nashville Sounds, and several university level athletic departments.
Contact: Graduate Program – Apply here.
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter
Testimonials From Belmont Students About The Sports Administration Program
Wayne State University – MA Program In Sports Administration
The Master of Arts degree in Sports Administration at Wayne State University can help make that dream of working in the spors industry a reality. Located in the heart of one of the country’s biggest sports towns, Detroit offers a myriad of opportunities for internships, networking, and career placement.
The MA program in Sports Administration is designed to prepare students for a career within the broad spectrum of sports programs, agencies, and related organizations.
Students gain knowledge and skills through coursework in four areas of specialization: interscholastic athletic administration, intercollegiate athletic administration, professional sports administration, or commercial sports administration. They also gain practical experience through an internship in the sports industry.
Contact: Graduate Program – Apply here.
How To Find Jobs In Sports Administration
Are you ready to find and land your dream job in sports administration? Check out the job postings on Work in Sports for a detailed breakdown of jobs based on type and region.
Did you know that there were so many types of jobs in sports administration to choose from? Let us know what your dream job in sports would be. Leave a comment for us below or tweet us your thoughts at @sportsnetworker.
Jobs In Sports Administration References
- http://www.jobsinsports.com/blog/post.cfm/average-salary-with-a-masters-in-sports-administration
- http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/program-areas/graduate/sports-administration/career-options.php
- http://www.mastersinsportsadministration.com/how-to-guide-for-finding-internships-in-sports-administration.html
I am interested in recruiting, scouting or assistant coach. I would also be interested in guest services and or community services. Any advice would be greatly appreciated I would love to hear some ideas or thoughts
Good write-up. I certainly love this website.
Keep it up!
Thanks for a marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it,
you happen to be a great author.I will make sure to bookmark your blog and
will often come back sometime soon. I want to encourage yourself
to continue your great work, have a nice evening!
Amazing stuff and information, as sports lovers find it very useful to hunt the right channel for apply
So if that is inadequate to convince you that you’d be doing regular yourself a disservice
by trying to source your personal finance – well – you might be special.
Beyond a forward thinking front door painted red you will likely take advantage of creating a simple, consistent distinctive line of flowers and plants that
outline the path through the doorway towards the street. 1 trillion economy and contains been the largest driver from the world demand for imports of merchandise and services.
In this article, I will teach you making a video with a computer in three
different methods:. The Billing Process – You are in the consulting
industry so you would be wise to think that you happen to be currently operational being a computer consultant and not just performing IT jobs like a career.
Proper setup is vital on the safety and productivity from the hardware along with the user.
For the fix malfunctions in your wireless bluetooth connections and wireless displays and audio devices. these are the application which gave you a better accommodations surroundings.
It is really a great future in this field. This is my dream too and I really work very hard. thanks for sharing.
Link exchange is nothing else however it is just placing the other person’s weblog link on your
page at appropriate place and other person will also do similar for you.
Great work.
My name is Will, I have recently graduated from Full Sail University with a BS in Sports Marketing and Media. How can I get a job in this field with my degree?
Wonderful information, thanks for sharing with us.
Superb, Great stuff, i love this. thanks
Wowwww, Wonderful. I am looking for that kind of information because I want to do a job in sports administration. So thanks for sharing this fantastic information with us
Great to see this info
I love your blog. keep writing
Amazing, grt to see.
I love to watch this.
Fantastic content, thanks
I like your stuff, thanks for sharing with us.
Wonder to see your information, thanks
wonderful to see this info.
Thanks for taking the time to discuss that, I feel strongly about this and so really like getting to know more on this kind of field. Do you mind updating your blog post with additional insight? It should be really useful for all of us.
I enjoyed your article & your way of articulating your thoughts are excellent. Keep it up. The information you provided is very helpful.
Hi ,
It’s very useful. I appreciate your helpful information. Please update us. Thanks.
Thanks I was looking for a job at a body shop before I realized sports administration wads a good option for me.
Excellent information, can you share more data with us so i can use this stuff in my project, thanks