ATHLETICS AND SPORT What can I do with this major?

AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES

SPORT MANAGEMENT For in-depth information see What Can I Do With Professional teams and leagues, e.g. NFL, MLB Major in sport management or sport administration. This Major, Sport Management Professional athletes Earn a master's degree for increased Administration of Amateur Athletics Professional player associations and unions opportunities. Olympic Sport associations, e.g. PGA Tour Develop outstanding communication skills, written Intercollegiate Conference offi ces, e.g. SEC, ACC and oral. High School Governing bodies Take courses in marketing, public relations, and Youth Colleges and universities advertising. Hone public speaking skills. Administration of Professional Teams and Leagues Arenas For player representation, pursue a degree in law to Player Personnel Auditoriums aid in negotiating contracts and fi nancial planning. Business Operations Stadiums Obtain accounting or business skills and experience. Public Relations courses Develop a background in sales. Sales Tracks Volunteer to coordinate athletic programs and events Marketing and Promotions High schools such as , golf tournaments, or special Ticketing and Seat Management Youth sport programs olympics for campus organizations or local non- Facilities Management Sport related franchises profi t groups. Event Coordination Training centers Get involved with campus sport teams, intramurals, Program Coordination Sport camps or recreational programs. Fund Raising Health and fi tness clubs Build a network of contacts with sport administrators, Sponsorship Sales Recreational facilities student athletes, and merchandise Sport Information Local sport and tourism corporations representatives. Athlete Representation Sport marketing fi rms Join sport-oriented associations and organizations. Sport management fi rms Obtain an internship or part-time job with a team, an athletic organization, or a sport facility. Be willing to work in any capacity with minor league SPORTING GOODS/SPORT MERCHANDISING Product Development Sport equipment and supply industry, e.g. Wilson, Work in retail stores that sell sport or recreational Product Distribution Spalding, merchandise or in campus recreation facilities Sales and Marketing Exercise equipment manufacturers that rent equipment to students. /Product Representation Sport and recreation retailers Gain sales experience through part-time or summer Store Management Online sport retailers jobs and internships. Internet Sales Sporting Goods Manufacturer's Association Volunteer as a team equipment manager. Make contact with college equipment or uniform representatives. Develop strong communication skills and learn how to build interpersonal relationships. (Athletics and Sport, Page 2)

AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES

SPORT MEDIA Journalism Newspapers Major in journalism, broadcasting, electronic media, Broadcasting Television stations photography, or English. Photojournalism Radio stations Supplement program with courses in sport Sport Information Magazines management or physical education. Advertising Sales Special interest sport publications Obtain an internship or part-time job with local or Sport-related internet sites university newspaper or radio/television station. Publish, as much as possible, in college and local newspapers. Create a portfolio of published work, both articles and photographs, or an online portfolio highlight- ing digital media skills. Develop excellent public speaking and writing skills and a solid command of sports. EXERCISE SCIENCE For in-depth information, see What Can I Do Colleges and universities Major in exercise science, exercise physiology, With This Major, Kinesiology/Exercise Science Public and private schools kinesiology, or sport medicine. Research Sport medicine centers Supplement curriculum with nutrition and hard Teaching Hospitals and rehabilitation clinics science courses. Assessment and Evaluation Health clubs and fi tness centers Consider professional or graduate school in physical Program Development Professional teams therapy, athletic training, or medicine. Athletic Training Corporate health centers Obtain necessary certifi cation such as Certifi ed Personal Training Professional fi tness organizations such as: Group Fitness Instructor, Certifi ed Personal Rehabilitation American College of Sports Medicine Trainer, or National Athletic Trainer Certifi cation. Strength and Conditioning National Strength and Conditioning Association Other certifi cations can be granted by the Ameri- Health Club Management Olympic training centers can College of Sports Medicine or the National Group Fitness Instruction Competitive youth training centers Strength and Conditioning Association. Sport Medicine Nutritional supplement manufacturers Develop computer skills and familiarity with Physical Therapy technology used in the fi eld. Work in a physical therapy clinic, health club, or gym to gain experience and make contacts. Volunteer to work with college or high school sport teams or to run exercise programs for local, non-profi t organizations. Consider working with manufacturers of exercise equipment or nutritional supplements to learn more about the fi eld and to make contacts. Develop excellent interpersonal skills for working with clients, coaches, and team physicians. Maintain excellent personal fi tness and athletic profi ciency. (Athletics and Sport, Page 3)

AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES

PHYSICAL EDUCATION Teaching Public and private schools, K-12 Obtain a degree in education, physical education, or Research Colleges and universities other sport related fi eld in addition to appropriate Adaptive Physical Education state teacher licensure. Earn dual certifi cation for Recreational Sport Administration increased job opportunities. Become familiar with a variety of physical, cognitive, and affective disabilities if interested in an adaptive physical education career. Supple- ment coursework with special education classes. Secure a part-time position with a youth recreation center, college athletic facility, or intramural athletic administration department. Develop competitive and instructive profi ciency in a wide array of sports. Obtain a graduate degree to teach at the college level or to advance into administrative positions. Secure a graduate assistantship teaching physical education courses.

COACHING Professional Professional sport teams Major in exercise science, sport management, or College Colleges and universities physical education, although coaches can hold High School High schools and middle schools nearly any academic background. Private Recreational organizations or leagues, e.g. YMCA Obtain teacher licensure in an academic subject for Youth Sport Country clubs high school or middle school coaching positions. Racket clubs Gain extensive, advanced playing experience. Gyms Research coaching certifi cations in various sports. Tracks Develop additional knowledge in areas of strength Ice rinks training, fi tness, nutrition, and conditioning. Golf and resorts Learn about and practice motivational techniques. City parks and recreation departments Become familiar with legal and regulatory issues Youth sport organizations, e.g. Little League related to coaching, e.g. NCAA regulations. Volunteer to coach neighborhood, church, and Sport related franchises community teams. Sport camps Attend practices of teams at various levels to ob serve coaches' techniques. Serve as a referee or umpire. Seek a graduate assistant position in athletic administration, instruction, or coaching. Obtain an assistant and then coaching position at the university level to increase possibility of progressing to the professional level.

(Athletics and Sport, Page 4)

AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES

OFFICIATING Refereeing Professional sport leagues Volunteer to umpire youth or Little League games. Umpiring College and university athletic associations Work as a referee for campus intramurals. Line Judging Amateur athletic associations, e.g. Be prepared to maintain full-time employment in Tennis Association addition to refereeing while you get started. It High school athletic associations takes time to build a career in refereeing. Recreational leagues Join sport associations and organizations to stay current developments in the fi eld and to make contacts. Attend classes, seminars, camps, and workshops sponsored by these organizations. Obtain certifi cation to offi ciate in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) games. Attend an umpire training school or camp for professional opportunities. Obtain the required ten years of collegiate refereeing experience before applying to The National Football League (NFL). Earn the Professional Football Referees Association licensure or other applicable credential.

SPORT PSYCHOLOGY Teaching Colleges and universities Major in psychology, physical education, exercise Research Olympic training centers science, or other physical activity related fi eld. Consultation Competitive youth sport centers Obtain a doctoral degree in sport psychology, sport Performance Enhancement Recreation organizations and leagues sociology, or clinical/counseling psychology and Professional sport teams complete postdoctoral training if you desire to Professional and competitive athletes work with professional sport teams or athletes. Hospitals Develop good relationships with coaches and other athletic department personnel. Express a willing- ness to learn from coaches and athletes. Gain experience in a variety of different sports. Assist faculty with research. Develop strong written and oral communication skills. Consider coaching youth teams. Develop social perceptiveness and active listening skills to use when working with athletes. Join professional associations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 47 (Sport and Exercise Psychology) or the Association for the Advancement of Applied (Athletics and Sport, Page 5) AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES

EXERCISE AND HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY Teaching Colleges and universities Major in one of the social sciences and supplement Research Hospitals coursework with hard science classes. Health Promotion Health clubs and fi tness centers Acquire training in the areas of research, grant- Primary Care Olympic training centers writing, and statistics. Inpatient Medical Rehabilitation clinics Volunteer in a hospital or fi tness center. Specialized Health Care Public health agencies Develop strong written and oral communication skills. Learn to work well in a team environment. Earn a graduate degree in clinical, counseling, social, or experimental psychology for health psychology opportunities. Obtain a graduate degree in sport psychology, with an exercise emphasis, for a career in exercise psychology. Pursue a postdoctoral internship or fellowship for advanced career opportunities.

GENERAL INFORMATION • There are many different ways to work within the sport industry. Identify a particular area of interest and then gain the best combination of educational pre- paration, experience, and skills because requirements will vary by fi eld. • Be willing to work with sport teams and organizations in any capacity, realizing that most people start in low-level positions. Careers in sport and athletics are extremely competitive. Get as much experience as possible while in school, even if unpaid. • Join professional associations. Read their publications and attend their meetings, seminars, and conventions to learn more about the fi eld, as well as to make important contacts. • Get involved with campus sport teams, intramurals, or recreational programs and facilities. Seek leadership roles, manage equipment and facilities, or plan events. • for jobs in the minor leagues as a way to enter the sport industry. • Earn a graduate or professional degree for increased opportunities. • Maintain excellent personal fi tness and athletic profi ciency. Develop a good command of sports. • Learn to relate well to a variety of people from different backgrounds and personalities. • Consider entering the fi eld of athletics through skills and experience in another area such as accounting, sales, or information systems.

© 1998 The University of Tennessee Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (1998, Revised 2003, 2004, 2009) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer