Unless you strike it rich when doing some NASCAR betting, at some point, you are going to have to get a real job. That job should also be something that can turn into a career, and perhaps there is no better industry than professional sports.
Most people don’t think of professional sports as an industry that they can go into, but that’s not the case at all. Not only can you find plenty of job opportunities with a professional sports team, but this can also turn into a high-paying job.
Unless you are extremely athletic or have one specific skill, then you likely aren’t going to become a professional athlete. That’s where big money obviously is, but working in the front office can provide some great opportunities as well.
Here are some tips for trying to land a front-office job with a professional team.
Get a College Degree
The most important thing that you can do if you want to have a career in the front office of a professional sports team is to go to college and get a degree. It’s best to study business or finance while in college as those types of jobs are what you will be targeting with your career.
Even if you don’t get a college degree, you will still have a chance to land a job in the front office, but it will be harder to market yourself. Be sure to pay attention to all of the classes as well as you will need to be incredibly smart to work in this type of environment.
Be Willing to Move
After you graduate college and begin looking for a career, you might find that you will have to move around the country to create some opportunities. If you don’t live in a city that has a professional sports team, then you need to move to a city where this is a possibility.
Don’t plan on living in one place too long either, and it’s best to always keep your bags packed. Front office jobs are going to be opening up all over the United States, and you have to be ready to move around to get the best job offers.
Make Connections
Just like with any job, it is extremely important to make some connections to get your foot in the door. Sending your resume out to as many teams as possible is always a great idea, and also, don’t be afraid to keep “bugging” members of that organization.
If you are able to get an interview, then you need to use that to your advantage when applying for other jobs. This is one industry where front office executives move around a ton, and you never know how one conversation could lead to another opportunity.
Start Small
Becoming the general manager or assistant GM is obviously the ultimate goal, but those jobs aren’t just handed out right away. You can always have aspirations of getting to that level, but you also need to be willing to start small.
Taking a summer internship is a great way to get your foot in the door, and that can eventually lead to a full-time gig. If you are fortunate enough to land even an entry-level position, then be ready to work hard and prove that you should move up in the world.
Find Your Niche
After you have started your career with a professional sports team, then it is important to find your niche and stick to it. The one nice thing about working in the front office of a professional sports team is that most of the jobs are similar across different sports.
It’s always important to be a jack-of-all-trades kind of employee, and that can lead to career advancement, but it’s also a good idea to become an expert at one part of the job. If your boss asks what you are good at, then you need to be able to tell them and show them.
Your niche can always change as you gain more experience when working in a front office, but you should be able to pick out your top skills right away.