By: Adam White, @FOSAdam
With graduation upon us and the real world looming, the sports industry is about to be flooded with internship and job seekers from across the country. When beginning your career, finding your first full-time internship or job after graduation is usually the hardest part, especially in sports. Luckily for you, breaking into the industry in 2016, while daunting is also exciting. You are entering into this industry in one of the greatest times, a time where technical advancements and companies pushing the boundaries of excellence have put the industry on the cutting edge. College may have ended, friends may have split up and careers may have begun, but before you take that next step, take a moment to see what you should be prepared for and how you can find success as you turn in that cap and gown for a suit and tie or a dress and heels.
Learning is Important
One of the common themes throughout the thread was that continuing to learn, no matter where your career takes you, is one of the most important ways to find success in the sports industry. With an industry that is ever changing, being able to stay up on everything that is going on around you not only allows you to stay ahead of others, but to use that knowledge and apply it to your current role.
Never stop learning! Go a different direction that others aren't. Sports industry is competitive create your own opportunity. #IfIWasAGrad
— Maggie Ntim🗽🎶⚖️🏀⚽️🎾🏎🇺🇸🇬🇭🇯🇲 (@AgentMaggieNtim) May 4, 2016
@frntofficesport keep learning! Be a student of your field, your prospective employer(s), & –major 🔑– yourself #FindYourWhy #IfIWasAGrad
— JP Abercrumbie (@Just_JP_) May 4, 2016
#IfIWasAGrad: don't stop learning. read a book. watch a tutorial. continue to expand your horizons. continue to challenge yourself & grow.
— Samantha Hughey (@samanthahughey) May 3, 2016
#IfIWasAGrad Stay (or GET) curious. READ things. Learn to LOVE learning. Then learn how to apply what you learn. https://t.co/zrLIACkMdD
— Ron Barry (@ronbarry21) May 3, 2016
Try to learn something new each day. Don't be afraid to share ideas. Help others reach their goals. #IfIWasAGrad https://t.co/ov8hOvN5HQ
— Tyler Pigg (@TylerPigg_TAMU) May 3, 2016
Congrats, Grads! 🎓 Continue being a student. Strive to learn and grow. Networking is still 🔑. #IfIWasAGrad https://t.co/P1lcs0Mq8d
— Karen Freberg, Ph.D. (@kfreberg) May 3, 2016
You Can’t Network Enough
In sports, if you aren’t networking with professionals in your area or the students in your classes you will fall behind the thousands of others you are competing with for a role in the industry. Sports is a people business and it never hurts to have as many strong relationships as you can, but don’t just take it from me.
Titles don't define you. Your relationships and work ethic do. Invest in them. #IfIWasAGrad @frntofficesport
— KatieRose Thornton (@KatieRose_T) May 4, 2016
#IfIWasAGrad: work hard. grind away. BUT remember to take care of yourself & those you love. building & maintaining relationships is KEY.
— Samantha Hughey (@samanthahughey) May 3, 2016
Job postings online help but you're going to get the job best suited for you through your efforts of networking. #IfIWasAGrad
— Roberto (@RSibbitts) May 3, 2016
#IfIWasAGrad Get out from behind the screen and go build real relationships. With a great network, opportunities will find YOU!
— Brian Haukoos (@BrianHaukoos) May 3, 2016
It's not who you know, it's who knows you. 📱and make connections (my # 5854552614) #IfIWasAGrad https://t.co/wTf4vbGSZ1
— Murtagh 📱 (@Michael_A_Jr) May 3, 2016
@frntofficesport This is a relationship based business, spend time building. People hire people not resumes. #sportsbiz #IfIWasAGrad
— Danielle Harris (@danni_marie23) May 3, 2016
Hard Work is Pivotal
The sports industry is unforgiving and one of the biggest differentiators is the ability to put your head down and grind out the long days, hours of work on the weekends and irregular schedules. Are you willing to do that? If not, you might have something else coming for you.
Show Initiative, a desire to learn and go the extra mile…Good things will follow. #IfIWasAGrad @frntofficesport
— Jake Silverman (@jakesilverman) May 4, 2016
Its been 10 years, but #IfIWasAGrad make sure and give everything you can to your work and your personal life @frntofficesport
— Gary Paczesny (@GaryPaczesny) May 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/SunBeltRandy/status/727466964457648128
@frntofficesport Work hard. Be friendly. Make connections. Help others. Be creative. Interact on social. Think outside the box. #IfIWasAGrad
— Tim Cary (@TimCary) May 3, 2016
@frntofficesport don't be above doing anything. And anything you do, do it with passion. #IfIWasAGrad
— Jason Martin (@JPMartin21) May 3, 2016
@frntofficesport: Work hard, keep an open mind, never stop learning & most importantly.. be nice to people. #IfIWasAGrad
— Lynnea Phillips (@LynneaPhillips) May 3, 2016
Be Open
You are at an age where you don’t have to box yourself in. Go against the grain, follow what you are passionate about and be open to trying a variety of different roles. You are at a time in your life where you can focus on your career and your goals, so why not do it. It may take you to foreign cities, it may take you away from your friends, but a true willingness to be open to whatever this industry has to offer will pay dividends along the way.
Be willing to move! Your friends & family won't be lost to you. Go out on your own, even if temporarily. #IfIWasAGrad
— Katie Burakowski (@SportySpicePhD) May 3, 2016
#ifiwasagrad be open to relocation and working for team/sport with no personal interest/ties @frntofficesport CT transplant COL Avs Sales
— snazzy nazzy (@JSNaz) May 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/studrew1/status/727318538759843840
@frntofficesport Be open, connect, learn. 1st jobs don't define careers. Make the most out of the experience wherever you land. #IfIWasAGrad
— Jess Smith (@WarJessEagle) May 3, 2016
Never stop learning & growing. Try everything, meet everyone & keep a very open mind. Enjoy the journey #IfIWasAGrad https://t.co/RBw2YRdsn8
— Jesse Lichtenberg (@JesseLicht) May 3, 2016
Be open minded on location & job position. Be the hardest and most enthusiastic worker on the team! #IfIWasAGrad https://t.co/W4QLckGaJn
— Bethany Green (Cordell) (@bethanycordell) May 3, 2016
Nothing Will Be Given to You
Did you get that curve in college that bumped you from a B+ to an A? Did you get a reprieve from your professor for coming in late to class because, “There was traffic.”? Those may be nice and all, but don’t expect that to happen once you get into the professional world. If you do B+ work, you’re going to be told that you work isn’t good enough and that you need to do better. If you are late to work, your boss won’t just say “Oh it is okay, don’t worry about it.” In the sports business industry putting together A work is expected, as is being on time, no matter the circumstances.
@frntofficesport don't expect it to be handed to you. There are 1,000 other grads who want to be in your shoes #IfIWasAGrad
— Michael Smoose (@michaelsmoose) May 3, 2016
Sports industry is more competitive than sports themselves. Everyone is replaceable. You aren't owed anything #IfIWasAGrad @frntofficesport
— Chris Yandle, Ph.D. (@ChrisYandle) May 3, 2016
@frntofficesport It's harsh, but everyone is replaceable. When you lose sight of that is when you're in trouble. #IfIWasAGrad
— Grant Dovey (@GrantDovey) May 3, 2016
Most of All, Enjoy It
Although working in sports is tough, filled with long days and nights, and will have you working holidays and weekends, in the end it will be worth it. For many of you this will be your first position in sports, for others it may be your 12th, but no matter what, remember that your career wont always be the most linear…
@frntofficesport Your career path will likely resemble a squiggly line and not a straight one and you will enjoy the ride.
— Jason W. Rocco (@JasonWRocco) May 3, 2016
and that it is okay, because it is good to…
Embrace your squiggly line – around every curve is a new opportunity! #IfIWasAGrad https://t.co/KSrXUlcejD
— Windy Dees (@getDeestweets) May 3, 2016
Have any wisdom you would like to share? Be sure to comment below or use the #IfIWasAGrad and tag us on Twitter!
If you would like to check out all the tweets from the #IfIWasAGrad you can find them all here!
