Professional Development

10 Words of Advice for the Class of 2017

By Front Office Sports

May 05, 2017 | 02:28 am

UPDATED Apr 28, 2019 | 09:23 pm

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As you get ready to enter the world of sports business, professionals across the country offered up some advice for you.

Across the country, thousands of students will graduate in the coming weeks and months. Many of those graduates will venture out into the world of sports business on a quest to become agents, GMs, CEOs and team presidents, but before they are get to the corner office, current professionals across the country had some advice for them.

10. Don’t be afraid to start outside of sports

If the job you want isn't open immediately, work in fields related to it. More experience you get=better prepared when the opportunity comes

— Kassie Epstein 🏟 (@kassieepstein) May 4, 2017

You don't need to start in the #sportsbiz to end up there. Do something that interests &challenges you. Don't just accept any role in sports

— Dan Moriarty (@iamdanmoriarty) May 4, 2017

You can always find a way into sports. Don’t pass up similar experience waiting for a role that isn’t open yet.

9. Be coachable

High on fire. High on coachability. @RussWildeJr

— Jared Augustine (@jaredaugustine) May 4, 2017

We have heard this since our time in youth sports. People want to work with others who are willing to get better. Make sure you are one of those.

8. Be open to different roles

https://twitter.com/dduggs11/status/859952036456136704

Consider taking a job in an industry where you have a lot to learn, versus the ones you already know well. #sportsbiz #careeradvice

— Windy Dees (@getDeestweets) May 4, 2017

Don't put the blinders on re: location, title, level, compensation…cast a wide net and adjust accordingly.

— Mark Gress Jr. (@MarkGressJr) May 4, 2017

From the minor leagues to college athletics, there are countless opportunities to find your way into the business. Don’t think you are too good to take a role that isn’t “sexy”.

7. Be patient

Be patient, diligent & work hard. Like a good wine, great things take time.

Also don't burn bridges, no matter how small.

— Johnny Volk (@JohnnyVolk) May 4, 2017

Be patient, be open-minded, be yourself and find a mentor. There's no one perfect way to land a job in sports. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

— Hannah Martin (@mc_hanner29) May 4, 2017

https://twitter.com/JamieMBlanchard/status/860115047250579458

You aren’t going to be the CEO on day one, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be by day 3,000. Good things take time, don’t stress.

6. Your first job doesn’t define you

Your first job doesn't define your entire career (good or bad). Wherever you land, focus on skill set, growing & building relationships. https://t.co/tUnWRNeqNy

— Jess Smith (@WarJessEagle) May 4, 2017

https://twitter.com/cjdowney/status/859943862760091648

Sure, your first job may not pay much and you may have to work long hours, but that doesn’t mean that is where you will stay for your entire career. Use your first job to learn, soak up the industry and set yourself up for success moving forward.

5. Relationships > Connections

Find a mentor, find a friend. Those two will help you throughout your career 🤙🏼

— Olivia Coiro (@livcoiro) May 4, 2017

Be willing to gain experience & build relationships no matter the risk, the reward will come! https://t.co/Kvhs3u9qre

— 𝙅𝙤𝙨𝙝𝙪𝙖 𝙍. 𝘽𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙧 (@JoshuaRBaker) May 5, 2017

Work hard, be humble, build relationships across disciplines and organizations, and never stop learning. Congrats & good luck in #sportsbiz! https://t.co/XLh7pFrCpR

— David Cohen (@DavidCohenEsq) May 4, 2017

Make real, meaningful connections (not just LinkedIn). It's a small world – treat people well & work hard – recommendations are EVERYTHING

— Emily Cabrera Reza (@ECabreraReza) May 4, 2017

This industry is built on relationships. Whether it is your next job or your next B2B sale, it will most likely come from someone you have a relationship with. Don’t burn bridges.

4. Say “thank you”

In all that you do, work as hard as you can and treat others with as much respect & kindness as possible. https://t.co/7x0qd42Q5Y

— Brandon Naidus (@bnaidus27) May 4, 2017

1) Network, network, network 2) Always find ways to bring value 3) be versatile 4) ask questions 5) write thank you notes 6) always be YOU

— Tod Meisner (@todmeisner) May 4, 2017

https://twitter.com/cmatthews58/status/859948470710435844

Sometimes the simplest gestures are the most impactful. You can never go wrong with saying showing people you appreciate them or even writing a thank you card.

3. Just because it is not in your job description doesn’t mean it is not your job

Underpromise and overdeliver. Be the most reliable, hardest working person in the department. Don't EVER be above any job.

— Bethany Green (Cordell) (@bethanycordell) May 4, 2017

Never be above anything, whether it be cleaning up, slinging nacho cheese or dressing up as the mascot – no matter how bad it smells.

— Chris Babb (@chris_babb) May 4, 2017

Always be willing to jump in to help on projects even if you aren't sure you know what you are doing – it's a good chance to learn!

— Britney Talty (@btalts) May 4, 2017

In this industry, there is always something to do. Be the person who asks, “What else can I do?” and not “When can I go home?”

2. Take a deep breath every once and awhile

Deep breaths. It will be okay. You JUST graduated – things WILL fall into place. https://t.co/dZYgO1WQYQ

— Samantha Hughey (@samanthahughey) May 4, 2017

Internships don't guarantee jobs. Stay humble. Be genuine. Pick up the phone & talk to people. Take a deep breath & it'll all work out. https://t.co/iAwV0fMkSh

— Arin Segal (@arinsegal) May 4, 2017

This industry can get overwhelming at times. Be sure to take a second and smell the roses.

1. Be intellectually curious

Work harder than reasonable, be an extraordinary teammate and be intellectually curious. That is the path for newbies in the sports biz. https://t.co/038p48G6DP

— Scott O’Neil (@ScottONeil) May 4, 2017

@frntofficesport Stay curious. Your job 5-10 years from now may not even exist today. https://t.co/qfH8D8r1Dh

— Tom Buchheim (@tombuchheim) May 4, 2017

No matter what you do or where you go remember to stay curious. The world is going to change and the industry is going to change, make sure you are able to change with it.