At one time, my dream job was to become a professional baseball player. However, once I reached the age of 31 - having not played baseball since high school - I realized this was no longer a realistic dream for me. The next best option was to pursue a job in sport and differentiate me with an advanced degree in Sport Administration. Below I will share five lessons the University of Miami's Sport Administration program taught me -all of which I plan to carry with me throughout my sports industry career.
Embrace Social Media
Prior to enrolling at the University of Miami, I did not have a single social media account - no Facebook, no Twitter, and certainly no Snapchat. My marketing professor, however, quickly changed the perception of social media for me. It can be extremely useful beyond posting pictures of food and pets. If used correctly, social media can help to build your brand, as well as give you access to professionals in the industry that you normally wouldn’t be able to reach.
Stop Being a Fan
Don't worry. This doesn't mean that you have to stop cheering for your favorite sports teams, but it does mean that you have to view sports in a different light. You must be able to understand the business side of sport. Learn as much as possible about the sponsorship deal a team recently signed, the terms of an athlete’s contract, or the dynamics of ticket pricing. This type of knowledge is significantly more useful than reciting stats you heard on SportsCenter.
Network, Network, Network
There is some truth to the old mantra, "it's not what you know, but who you know." Networking will help you discover potential job opportunities, but it is also beneficial for those who already have a job in the sports industry. Although networking can be uncomfortable and awkward at first, it can provide an opportunity to receive additional visibility from within your organization, the ability to gain a new perspective on things, and a chance to discover a mentor whose advice can help advance your career.
Do the Right thing
In sports, there is arguably too much emphasis on winning which, in many cases, causes people to commit unethical acts. As a future sports industry professional, you are going to be placed in situations where it is going to be hard to make the right decision, but you cannot let greed or the benefits of short-term gain cloud your vision. Instead, you must define what your core values are, abide by them, and not let an ethical mistake derail your sports career and/or reputation like it has done for so many (i.e. Lance Armstrong, Pete Rose, Joe Paterno).
More Than Just the Big Four
Working in sport is more than just landing a job with the NFL, NBA, MLB, or the NHL. The sports industry is one of the biggest industries in the world, and you can severely limit your options if you have your heart set on one of the big four. The competition for those particular professional jobs is fierce. For example, take a look at the NFL; there are only 32 organizations to work for in the entire world! Do not give up on your dreams, but know that gaining experience in other realms of the sports world like college athletics, e-sports, non-profit sports organizations can lead to a lucrative and fulfilling career.
The University of Miami's Sports Administration faculty and the experiences I have been afforded have given me the necessary tools I need to succeed in the sports industry. I am excited and anxious to apply the many lessons I have learned over the past year to a long and successful sport career
