A person does not have to be a top athlete in order to have a successful career in sports. After all, in the United States, a very small portion of the population consists of professional athletes. Many people achieve their sport dreams without ever stepping foot onto a field or court during game time.
How are people able to achieve those goals? Through sport administration. Jobs on the business side of sports give fans and enthusiasts the competition they crave and usually a paycheck that satisfies. According to a 2018 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate, the spectator sports industry in total employs nearly 153,000 people.
The sports environment is high energy, rewarding and growing every day. If someone wants to break into this unique world, a good place to start is with a Master of Science in Sport Administration online program.
Sports and Sports Jobs Are on the Rise
Many have dreams of managing an entire team or being the person interviewed on TV after games. While a handful of people get to do this, it may not be a realistic goal for everyone. However, there are many other fascinating careers available for sports fans. In fact, stadiums employ many people with jobs in sales, analytics, public relations and marketing. Outside of the arena, consultants help keep clubs and teams running, while managers delegate tasks to keep membership numbers up at country clubs and rec centers.
In fact, jobs in the entertainment and sports industry are projected to grow 7% from 2019 to 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Be Competitive
It comes as no surprise that jobs in sports administration are in high demand. The culture, the pay and the energy are attractive to anyone, not just sports fans. However, there are things you can do in order to gain a competitive edge over other job applicants, such as earning a degree through an online sports administration graduate program. Students in these programs will learn the specific challenges that various sports organizations may face, from recreation centers to fitness clubs to professional teams.
A graduate degree also offers a valuable viewpoint that can be hard to gain from experience alone — for starters, a basic foundation of the business. A master’s degree in sport administration will also help students create realistic career goals and better prepare themselves for their desired career path.
There are many opportunities available in sports for those willing to compete for top jobs, but a person does not have to settle for introductory stadium jobs. The sports industry offers many types of careers of varying skill sets, from public relations to management.
It is easier to break into sports administration with advanced knowledge, which can be obtained via a graduate program that focuses on the unique nature of sports. From there, a person can find his or her true passion, whether it is to one day manage a team or work outside of the sports stadium.
Learn more about A-State’s online M.S. in Sport Administration program.
Sources:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: