Baseball management jobs are limited.
Working in sports management can be a rewarding career and may make you the envy of your friends and relatives. Most people don't realize, however, that working in sports is very difficult. The work hours are long, opportunities are limited and often the jobs have a lower pay scale than most post-college jobs. If you are determined to get into sports management, though, certain information and decisions will help you make that dream happen.
Sports Management Degree
In the 1990s, many colleges and universities started offering programs specializing in sports management. Choosing the correct school to attend is critical on the path to the sports management field, not just because of curriculum but because of hands-on opportunities. Schools with sports programs and local sports teams or businesses are best. For example, the University of Connecticut is just one hour of travel from the Entertainment Sports Programming Network (ESPN) headquarters, where sports management students have an opportunity to apply for internships and entry-level jobs.
Getting a minor in business provides a set of skills to add to your resume. Sports is big business, and oftentimes people who hire don't understand the benefits of a specialized sports management degree; a minor in business, though, is something an employer understands.
Internships
An internship is the most important component of education in sports management. During an internship, you make contacts who may help you build a network that recognizes your job performance and, in turn, help you obtain your first job. What you do is important, and so is how you do it. Go to the office looking professional, with a positive attitude and ready to work, no matter what the job involves. You may be asked to pick up lunch, drive to and from the airport to meet people, run for coffee and so much more that does not fall into the standard job description of a sports management intern. Doing that work will pay off in the end. Double-check everything you hand in regardless of its level of importance; the goal is to have people trust your work.
First Job
Your first sports management job probably won't pay all your bills and probably will require you to work more hours than you ever wanted. Job competition is high in sports. Until you provide a skill that is invaluable, you will be highly disposable. When looking for that first job, don't worry about the kind of sport. It is often common for people in sports management to work in multiple sports throughout their career.
Considerations
Because competition in the sports industry is fierce, determine whether or not sports management is how you want to make a living. If you decide it is the life for you, meet your career challenges head on. The most important factor is to work hard and build relationships every step of the way. Maintain those relationships because you never know who will hold the key to your dream job.
Tags: sports management, sports management, minor business, most important