There is a false idea roaming through our society that says you can’t make a living out of sports. This idea has been repeatedly debunked by famous athletes who have started from the bottom and now they’re everywhere. They have sponsorship, a fanbase, and millions in assets.
However, it’s safe to say that sports lovers have many career opportunities apart from actually being on the playing field. Sports enthusiasts can make a living off their passion without ever touching a grassy field or a sweaty uniform. If you are the type of person who wishes to make a living off the sports industry, then you’re reading the right article. Here are four careers you can pursue if you’re interested in sports.
1. Sports Management
People who love watching sports on their screens can often be heard giving the team instructions despite being unable to hear anything. These people are perfect for sports management careers. They love to handle the gameplay and providing orders for better scores. Any sports lover with leadership skills can become a skilled sports manager with the online MBA sports management program offered by the University of Cincinnati.
Sports enthusiasts can earn their master’s degree in sports management and get insight into everything to be the best sports manager they can be. This online degree program can help you pursue a successful career as an athletic director, facility management, intercollegiate athletics administrator, and public relations director, among other specializations.
2. Sports Counseling
Additionally, people who enjoy helping others as well as working in the sports industry can benefit from a career as a sports counselor. Sports counselors are coaches or advisors that help athletes develop a healthy state of mind and improve their athletic performance.
Sports counselors help athletes establish healthy diets, rigorous exercise routines, and manage their focus and motivation. These busy professionals and mentors can even help athletes that are going through depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues in groups or individually. They can be found working in any high school, sports facility, and private college.
3. Sports Physical Therapy
Sports physical therapy is one of the highest-paying jobs in the athletic industry. Physical therapists are essentially doctors that help athletes recover from injuries as well as provide insight and strategic plans of the best ways to perform in their league in ways that prevent them from getting hurt. This specialization is great for entrepreneurship opportunities as you can open your own physical therapy office and attend injured athletes. For this, you’ll need to possess a passion for helping others as well as a desire to take on leadership roles.
4. Sports Photography
Additionally, if you’re into the business of sports but have a knack for taking amazing pictures, then you may be fit to pursue a career as a sports photographer. As a sports photographer, you will be shooting high-quality photos of sports events as well as professional athletes. You can work as a freelancer as well as under a professional sports company.
In order to work in more professional events, you will have to gain your field experience and make a name for yourself. This can be accomplished by taking on internship opportunities as well as doing volunteer photography to create your portfolio. You can even gain a graduate degree in photography as well as journalism to give your photos a good background story publishers can enjoy.
This article gives you ideas on what kind of sports business you could run, however, anyone that’s having trouble picking a career should enroll in a college application counseling program. There, you will be guided by a professional counselor through various career paths based on your interests and aspirations.