Change Your Career to the Sports Industry in 7 Steps

Pulling off a career change requires preparation as you highlight how the skills you built transfer to a new field. Today’s question for the WorkInSports Podcast comes from Alex, an aspiring career changer looking to pivot into the sports industry:

“I’ve listened to a lot of episodes where people don’t know what they want to do in the sports industry, but I haven’t been able to find one where it’s someone with a lot of experience but none in sports who wants to change. I’ve owned a company and worked sales/key account management jobs. In December, I was laid off after working 100-hour weeks at a company and figured it was time for a change. I want to switch to either pro sports (maybe start in the minors) or go into college athletics and go online to get my master’s. How can I do that?”

Career Changes in Sports

Successfully switching careers to the sports industry is an involved process, but it can be done by following these seven steps:

1. Do an HONEST Self-Assessment: Figure out what you like and dislike about your current job, do a SWOT analysis of yourself, and lean into the strengths and skills you bring to the table.
2. Explore the Possibilities: After you analyze yourself, take note of the career possibilities that emerge, then do your research (request informational interviews, attend conferences, read relevant articles, etc.).
3. Get Specific: Seek out the job titles that appeal to you and narrow your search to obtaining one of those positions.
4. Promote Transferable Skills: Show how the skills that made you valuable at your last job translate into a sports position.
5. Be Realistic: It is likely that you will start in an entry-level role to establish yourself all over again.
6. Paint a Picture for Employers: Storytelling is powerful, so think back to some of your top career moments and how you achieved your goals to give potential employers a chance to visualize you excelling in their organization.
7. Be Extra: Showcase your skills in the interview phase by adding something more, such as a sample report or a KPI analysis.

Kick Off Your Sports Career

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Enjoy the full episode of the WorkInSports Podcast for concrete ways to navigate a career change in sports. Also, subscribe to the show for more sports career advice and catch additional content on our YouTube channel.