Different Careers Opportunities in Sports Industry
Looking at the sports industry, it’s only a few professions that catch our attention, like that of an athlete. Still, there is a broad spectrum of sports-related interdependent jobs that are beyond just athletic finesse. Jobs across this tangent are expanding faster than ever, with new opportunities every single day.
The sports industry has been growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3% since 2014 and created a global market worth of $488.5 billion in the year 2018. Experts predict that it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% in the near future and reach nearly $614.1 billion by 2022. With such a phenomenal rate of growth in the industry and an overwhelming range of opportunities, it is the right time to think of a career in this industry.
So, let’s dive in and explore the various career possibilities and decide which one is meant for you:
Sportsperson
A professional athlete is anyone who competes in individual or team organized sports. Thousands and lakhs of youngsters aspire to make their way to the top, but only a few live their dream, and even if they do, their careers are short-lived. So what does it take to become a professional player? Well, it is your strong will power and a tiny bit of luck that does the magic. There is no specific degree that you need in order to be successful, but professional coaching and playing regularly will work in your favor.
Skills required:
- Interpersonal skills
- Concentration
- Decision making
- Hand-eye coordination
- Physical stamina
- Strong determination
- Discipline
Athletic trainer
Athletic trainers work on diagnosing and treating injuries sustained in the muscles and bones by athletes. They are healthcare workers and also help the athletes in preventing any further injuries. To practice as a professional athletic trainer, the minimum qualification required is a Bachelor’s degree in this field; however, a master’s degree is preferable.
Skills required:
- Good communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Compassion towards the patients
- Good observation skills
- Emotional control
Sports Coach
The name speaks for itself. Sports coaches train sports enthusiasts to participate in matches at a professional level and familiarize them with the know-how of the game. There are various levels and groups of athletes that you can work with, ranging from school to state and national level teams.
To pursue a career in this field, you can look forward to a degree in sports coaching, sports management, and sports science. However, more than a degree, your experience in the field and an exhaustive knowledge of the game are valued. You can’t teach a game unless you know every tactic of it.
Skills required:
- Good social skills
- Selflessness
- Team building ability
- Patience
- Motivation skills
- Organization skills
- Understanding the physical and mental state of the athletes
Athletic Director
Athletic directors usually look over multiple aspects of an athletic program, which includes hiring coaches, budgeting, promotions and the list goes on. Athletic Directors typically have a Bachelor’s degree in education, physical education or a relevant field, and a Master’s in sports management, administration, or business.
Skills required:
- Good Leadership
- Managerial skills
- Good planning
- Interpersonal communication
- Organization skills
- Managing money
Marketing and Promotion Coordination
The job description for a marketing and promotion coordinator include preparing reports, analyzing the market, and implementing marketing strategies. This job requires a degree in marketing or a related field or working experience in digital and on-ground marketing.
Skills required:
- Planning
- Market Analysis
- Understanding the needs of your client
- Exhaustive knowledge of the market
- Research skills
- Direct marketing
Physical Therapist
Physical therapists help their clients overcome injuries and disabilities with massage, exercise, and other training methods. Besides recovery, they also help in preventing any future injuries. To pursue a career in this field, one must have a degree in physical therapy or any other related field.
Skills required:
- Assessing and interpreting patients
- Consulting with other health care professionals
- Excellent analytical and logical thinking
- Compassion
- Up-to-date knowledge of treatment practices
Medical Assistant
MAs employed at a sports facility usually attend patients under the supervision of an orthopedist. Besides the usual responsibilities of collecting the patient’s history and symptoms, they are also expected to educate them about the procedures, repercussions, preventions, and so on. In a sports arena, MA can have various tasks ranging from administrative to clinical jobs. Hence, there is no specific qualification that is required.
Even though the nature of this job is not specific, some skills will add weightage to your resume:
- Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology
- Administrative skills
- Compassion
- Quick action to injuries
Sports and Fitness nutritionist
A sports nutritionist advises athletes on nutritional regimes that will help them achieve optimal performance on the field. A professional in this field need to be aware of the nutrients that athletes must include in their diet and the organic substances that will benefit them the most. Along with an in-depth knowledge of nutrients, they need to be aware of sports performance, requirements of various sports, and the medical history of their client. An aspiring nutritionist should have a degree in nutrition or related fields of interest.
Skills required:
- A creative and innovative thought process
- Excellent people skills
- Social skills
- Knowledge of nutrition
- Being able to explain the complex terms in simple words
Sports Journalist
Sports journalists gather information and report new developments that unfold in the sports industry. A sports background, first-hand experience as an athlete can give you an upper hand during recruitments.
Skills required:
- Knowledge of the game
- Staying up-to-date
- Interviewing skills
- Research and analysis
- Social skills
Sports announcer
A sports announcer is someone who paints a picture of the entire match with his descriptive commentary on radio, television, and internet broadcast outlets. As it requires extensive knowledge of the game, we often see retired athletes and coaches taking up this job. Someone with a degree in communication, journalism, and radio is eligible for this post.
The skillset that is a must if you want to create a career in this field:
- Knowledge of the sport
- Street smart public speaking skills
- An engaging voice and tone
- Writing skills
- Technical savvy
Sports Agent
Sports agents handle sponsorship, public relations, financial planning, and contract negotiations on behalf of their clients. Even though it is not mandatory, a law degree is the best way to get into this profession because contract negotiation requires a legal foundation.
Skills required:
- A love for the sport
- People skills
- Sales skills
- Expert knowledge of their client’s career
- Networking
Umpire and Referee
The job of an umpire is to officiate at sporting events to ensure that the match meets the standards of the game and players stand by the rules and regulations. Furthermore, they provide that the athletes are adopting no malpractices to win.
Skills required:
- Quick judgment and decision making
- Social perceptiveness
- Active listening
- Active learning
- Critical thinking
- Time management
Sports Photographer
A sports photographer takes pictures of sporting events, teams, or an athlete; you can work with a particular team, or work as a freelance photographer, and offer your photos for magazines and newspapers. A degree in journalism, photography, or a related field will be a boon for you during placements.
Skills required:
- Love for the sport
- Passion for photography
- Quick reflex
- Coordination
- Monitoring
Sports Lawyer
Sports lawyers represent their client’s legal concerns, and they often double up as their agents to put forth their financial interests during contract negotiation. You are entitled to various responsibilities such as securing and interpreting employment contracts, breaking down the legal repercussions of their acts, salary negotiation, overlooking sponsorship deals, and so forth. This job description mandates that you have a law degree.
Skills required:
- In-depth knowledge of legal terms
- Analysis of the industry
- Good interpersonal skills
- Accurate information about their client’s history
The Sports School, Bangalore was as established with the vision to integrate sports and education to encourage young sports enthusiasts and support professional athletes. With new opportunities arising in the Indian Sports Industry every day, we have introduced courses like BBA in Sports Management, MSc in Psychology with Sports specialization in order to keep up with the dynamics of the industry. Our schooling, pre-university program along with UG & PG courses are backed by the cohesive educational experience prepares well-rounded professionals who are both excellent at their game while being academically outstanding and can easily mold themselves in any career they wish to pursue in the sporting industry.
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