Sports Studies Minor

Career Areas

• Journalism
• Broadcasting
• Photojournalism
• Sport Information
• Advertising Sales
• Video Production

Employers

• Newspapers
• Television stations
• Radio stations
• Magazines
• Special interest sport publications
• Sport-related internet sites
• Colleges and universities
• Nonprofit organizations
• Professional associations

General Information

• Complete an internship or work part-time at a newspaper or radio/television station.
• Volunteer to announce sporting events on campus or at local high schools.
• Publish as much as possible in college and local newspapers. Work as a sport writer or photographer on campus.
• Volunteer at the campus radio or television station.
• Create a portfolio of published work, articles, videos and photographs or an online portfolio highlighting digital media skills for a website or blog.
• Plan to start career in small markets and be willing to relocate to work into major markets.
• Develop excellent public speaking and writing skills and a solid command of sports.

Career Areas

• Administration of amateur athletics, Olympics, Intercollegiates, and professional teams/leagues
• Player personnel
• Business operations
• Public relations
• Sales
• Marketing and promotions
• Ticketing and seat management
• Facilities management
• Event coordination
• Program coordination

Employers

• Professional teams and leagues (e.g., NFL, MLB)
• Professional athletes
• Professional player associations and unions
• Sport associations (e.g., PGA Tour)
• Conference offices (e.g., SEC, ACC)
• Governing bodies
• Colleges and universities
• Arenas
• Auditoriums
• Stadiums
• Golf courses
• Tracks
• High schools
• Youth sport programs
• Sport related franchises
• Training centers
• Sport camps
• Health and fitness clubs
• Recreational facilities
• Local sport and tourism corporations
• Sport marketing firms
• Sport management firms

General Information

• Develop communication, written and oral skills.
• Take courses in marketing, public relations, and advertising.
• Further develop public speaking skills.
• For player representation, pursue a degree in law to aid in negotiating contracts and financial planning.
• Obtain accounting or business skills and experience.
• Volunteer to coordinate athletic programs and events such as marathons, golf tournaments, or Special Olympics for campus organizations or local non-profit groups.
• Get involved with campus sport teams, intramurals, or recreational programs (e.g., team manager).
• Build a network of contacts with sport administrators, student athletes, and merchandise representatives.
• Join sport-oriented associations and organizations.
• 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 or local teams as a way to enter the field and gain experience.

Career Areas

• Sport management: 
  • Olympic
  • Intercollegiate
  • High school
  • Youth
• Athletic administration
• Recruiting
• Student-athlete affairs
• Compliance
• Sport information

Employers

• Colleges and universities
• National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
• Conference offices (e.g., SEC, ACC)
• National sport governing bodies
• State governing bodies
• Special Olympics
• Training centers
• Youth sport organizations (e.g., Little League Baseball)

General Information

• Gain experience working with youth (e.g., content) volunteer or work at sport and recreation camps.
• Coach youth sport teams or assist with high school teams.
• Get involved with college sport teams, intramural leagues, or campus recreational programs.
• Seek leadership roles in campus organizations. Serve as a peer advisor, tutor, resident assistant, etc.
• Build relationships on campus with coaches and athletic administrators.
• Gain relevant experience through practicum and internships.
• Be prepared to work long and irregular hours.
• Develop additional knowledge in areas of strength training, fitness, nutrition, and conditioning.
• Learn about and practice motivational techniques.
• Become familiar with legal and regulatory issues related to coaching (e.g., NCAA regulations).

Career Areas

• Administration
• Facilities management
• Sales/Marketing
• Event/Program planning and evaluation
• Camp management
• Community center management
• Coaching

Employers

• Community centers
• Senior centers
• Special Olympics
• Youth programs (e.g., YMCA or YWCA)
• Sports leagues
• Camps and outdoor recreational programs
• Nonprofit, social service, and religiously-affiliated organizations
• Multipurpose sports clubs
• Dance studios
• Event planning companies

General Information

• Seek experience through related internships, part-time jobs, or summer work at campus and community recreational facilities.
• Participate in community-based programs, camps, youth groups, etc. through paid, intern, or volunteer positions.
• Utilize campus recreational programs and facilities, including intramural sports.
• Participate in planning/executing community events and activities.
• Develop membership sales techniques for some customer-service positions.
• Display good planning, organizational, interpersonal, creativity, and public speaking skills.
• Learn to work well with people from different backgrounds with varying abilities.

Career Areas

• Facility management
• Facility/Field maintenance
• Field preparation and conversion
• Ticket sales and seating management
• Marketing and advertising
• Event planning and management

Employers

• Stadiums
• Arenas
• Golf courses
• Tracks
• Local tournaments and festivals
• Recreational facilities
• City parks and recreation departments
• Individual teams

General Information

• Find a job managing facilities or fields on campus.
• Get involved in organizations responsible for bringing cultural attractions and entertainers to campus for exposure to contracts, negotiating, and making arrangements.
• Gain event planning and leadership experience by serving as the events coordinator or social chair with a student organization.
• Work part-time or summer jobs in conference and convention centers, hotels, or local attractions.
• Volunteer to work on community events (e.g., content) local races or festivals.
• Join organizations or take courses related to environmental stewardship and sustainability.
• To succeed in this area, demonstrate skills in negotiating, business management, organization, budgeting, and marketing.
• Research requirements for the Certified Facility Manager (CFM) credential.

Career Areas

• Teaching
• Assessment and evaluation
• Program development
• Personal training
• Rehabilitation
• Health club management
• Group fitness instruction

Employers

• Colleges and universities
• Public and private schools
• Sport medicine centers
• Hospitals and rehabilitation clinics
• Health clubs and fitness centers
• Professional teams
• Olympic training centers

General Information

• Obtain necessary certification such as Certified Group Fitness Instructor, Certified Personal Trainer, or National Athletic Trainer Certification.
• Consider professional or graduate school in physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, or sport medicine.
• 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-profit organizations.
• Develop excellent interpersonal skills for working with clients, coaches, and team physicians.
• Maintain personal fitness and athletic proficiency.
• Coach youth sport teams or assist with high school teams.
• Get involved with college sport teams, intramural leagues, or campus recreational programs.
• Seek leadership roles in campus organizations.