Feeling Stuck In Your Current Career? Here's The Push You Need.

It’s dark now when you wake up in the morning and begin the routine. Start coffee, shower, eat, dress.

It’s Monday – how are you feeling?  No seriously, answer the question - how are you feeling?

You work week is about to start, this isn’t the carefree, do as I please, weekend anymore. No pajamas all day, no football on the couch. You have meetings, calls, responsibilities.

Reality is back - is that a good thing?

Many people will tell you they expect to be miserable at work. ‘That’s why they call it work’, they’ll tell you with a certain snark on their lips. Do you buy that? Do you honestly believe that a commitment to being miserable is something you signed up for?

If you work a 40-hour work week, you’ll spend around 2,080 hours per year at work (since most of us don’t take all our vacation time). Why would you settle for over 2,000 hours of dejected existence per year?

Since you are here, at WorkinSports.com, I’d say the chances are pretty strong you have a passion for sports, even though your career right now might have nothing to do with it.  You are out of alignment. The topics that excite you aren't at the forefront of your day, they are the bookends to your boredom.

In the back of your mind, as you commute the same trek through the same traffic every Monday listening to sports radio, you think – I should be working in sports. That’s what a love, that is what excites me, that is what holds on to me in the parking lot listening to the last little bit of conversation about my team before entering my fluorescent cubicle world.

You may feel stuck, but you aren’t. You just need a push. Does this feel familiar?

Then there is another type of person.

The person who is pretty good with Monday’s, and the rest of the week too.  They like their job, they feel fulfilled – but they also have a vision for more in their future. They desire that big desk with the windows looking out to the world, doors that close and the fastest computer in the building.

They are where they are supposed to be, but their ceiling is stifling, they aren't sure they'll reach the heights they dream of.

Whether you are a frustrated career changer or someone seeking to advance to the next level, consider this your push – only 8% of US citizens over the age of 25 have their Masters. By pushing yourself to get a Masters you join an elite group, trained and ready to take on the world.

“Our graduates are prepared for a variety of careers including collegiate sports, high school athletics, youth sports, non-profit sports organizations and professional sports teams, leagues and governing bodies,” says Dr. Robert Prior, Associate Teaching Professor, Master of Sports Leadership Program at Northeastern University.

“We also have an extensive alumni network that our students are introduced to during the program and stress the importance of networking to help open doors for future career success.”

When evaluating Master’s programs, there are two main things to look for.

Most important is curriculum; what is it you will be learning and how excited does it make you? If you can read through the list of courses you will be required to take and feel energized about learning these principles, you are off to a good start.

At Northeastern, the coursework surrounds the concept of business leadership, an integral part of building teams, tackling business dilemmas and leveraging sports for greater social and economic good.

“Strong leadership is the key for any organization to thrive and developing these skills through the Master of Sports Leadership program can equip graduates with the tools to be a successful leader,” emphasizes Dr. Prior. “We focus on applied learning with faculty who are industry practitioners. Students learn what is relevant to the sports industry and how to apply their learning through assignments and projects that reflect the work done in the field.”

After curriculum, the next most important factor is location.

Most graduate programs put a heavy emphasis on completing a work experience either through an internship or a graduate consultancy. Where a school is located will dramatically influence the type of opportunities you can experience, and turn into a job after graduation.

“We are very fortunate to be located in Boston and to have been able to build relationships with the storied professional teams, colleges, and universities in New England. They have all been very cooperative in consistently providing our students with internship and employment opportunities.”

But let’s say you’ve analyzed the Northeastern curriculum, you are excited about what your future would hold should you apply, but you don’t have the ability or desire to move to Boston, or their satellite campus in Charlotte.

Unlike many graduate programs, Northeastern has an online learning option, allowing you to stay wherever you are.  The only requirement of the online curriculum is a 1-week Summer Residency in Boston to complete your degree.

It’s truly the best of both worlds.

As you consider how you feel on your morning commute, think about what your life could look like working for a professional sports team, collegiate athletic administration, governing body, athletic apparel company or really any sports business.

How will your commute feel then?

For more information on the Northeastern Master of Sports Leadership program, one of only 18 graduate programs in the U.S. to receive accreditation from The Commission on Sports Management Accreditation (COSMA), click here.