Finding a Sports Management professional who can teach you the ropes, gain your confidence, support your career and help you along the way is great to have in order to succeed in this business.

A good mentor will be someone that his been in the sports business for many years and knows important sports people that they can always put in a good word for you down the line.

So you may be asking yourself how you might find a mentor. You never know where you might find someone that would be a good mentor and in some instances, after proving yourself, a good mentor may find you and offer their services.

There are numerous avenues you can take however to help the process along.

INTERNSHIPS

Finding an internship is not only a good way to find out what area of Sports Management you might like to pursue, it is also a possible avenue to finding a good mentor.

With an internship you can further develop your professional skills under the direction of highly qualified mentor possibilities.

All internships are different however, so some of them may or may not offer you the type of experience you are looking for or have that special someone that could or is even willing to mentor you, but an internship is a great place to start.

EQUIPMENT MANAGERS

Getting to know your schools Equipment Managers is also a good place start even if that is not the area of Sports Management you want to go into.

Equipment managers deal with just about all aspects of a team including:

• Coaches
• Players
• Executives
• Sportswear Companies

Volunteering for an equipment manager once or more a week could also open up some opportunities for you to find someone that could be a good mentor, as well as giving you the possibility of opening some doors for you down the line.

CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS

There are also numerous certification programs available that offer both students and graduates the opportunity to become certified Agent Advisors.

Once you are approved, pass the courses and certification tests, some programs will give you the opportunity to recruit, represent, advise and solicit marketing opportunities for athletes on behalf of their agency.

The good programs are just full of mentors that will help you along the way while you learn the ins-and-outs of the business and break into the world of sports.

But be careful and research any company that is offering these programs as some of them really do not care about your career and are only looking to make a buck and once you complete the courses and they have their money, they are uninterested in you and will do nothing to help further your career or give you the experience you need.

Agency Athlete offers an Agent Advisor program which offers much more then the others and they have numerous people that could be a mentor and help you along the way.

Agent Advisors will learn the sports business while working under the umbrella of Agency Athlete which gives you the credibility you will need to succeed.

This program provides you with a wide range of experience in different areas of Sports Management including:

• Athlete Scouting
• Athlete Recruiting
• Client Acquisition
• Client Relations
• Athlete Development
• Sports Marketing
• Social Media
• Public Relations
• And More

If you would like more information concerning this program visit the Agency Athlete website or email us at info@agencyathlete.com. Please mention that you read about this great program in my blog.

CONFERENCES

Sports Management Conferences are not only a great networking opportunity but they give the chance to “meet and greet” with important people working in the highest levels of professional sports.

Conferences give you a chance to learn about multiple different careers in sports and mingle with sports professionals from all over the sporting world.

Sports Management Conferences allow you to network face to face with:

• Directors Of Player Personnel
• Executive Scouts
• Former Professional Athletes
• General Managers
• Head Coaches
• Sports Agents
• Sports Writers

Conferences give you the opportunity to meet many people from many different avenues of Sports Management and there are possible mentors everywhere.

In addition, numerous Sports Management Conferences take place during a major sporting event which not only increases opportunities to network and meet possible mentors but gives you a chance to attend the sporting event as well.

For information on some of the best conferences to attend, see my blog 3 Must-Attend Sport Management Conferences.

With a degree Sports Management you will be prepared for a wide range of career choices with the ability for you to focus on what area of interest drives you the most.

SPORTS MANAGEMENT CAREER CHOICES

• Managing And Marketing Either Professional And Collegiate Athletic Organizations
• Managing And Marketing Resort Establishments
• Sports Administration
• Owning And Managing A Sport-Related Business
• Risk Management
• Operating Recreational Sports Programs

SO YOU WANT TO BE A GM

While it may be the ultimate dream of yours to be the General Manager of a professional sports team, it is going to take years of you paying your dues and working your way up the corporate ladder before you ever are even considered for a GM position.

Most General Managers had been working in sports for decades in numerous different positions before they ever received the opportunity to even interview for a GM position.

Prior Positions GM’s held:

• College Scouting Director
• Pro Scouting Director
• Marketing Director
• Development Director
• College Athletic Director

ADDITIONAL SOUGHT AFTER POSITIONS

While being a GM may top your wish list, being a recent college grad you will need to start your career near the bottom and work your way up. You will need to get your feet wet and gain the valuable knowledge that comes only with experience and not from a book.

While some of these positions may not be as glamorous or have the huge paycheck as an executive sports management position, they are still very important in the sports business world and will enable you to get the valuable experience you need in order to move up the ladder.

Positions include:

• Athletic Academic Advisers
• Agent Advisors
• Recruiters
• Scouts
• Sales Professionals
• Event Coordinators
• Sports Journalists
• Coaching
• Public Relations Managers
• Fund-Raising Coordinators
• Compliance Directors

YOUR UNIQUE TALENTS

Of course the most important aspect in finding a rewarding career in sports management is to find a position suitable to your own unique talents in relation to your education.

Find a position that:

• Identifies Your Passion
• You Really Enjoy Doing
• Are Very Good At
• Rewards More Then Just Money

While not everyone can be a top level executive with a professional sports team even after many years in the business, there is no shortage of exciting and rewarding career opportunities in sports management for people with the drive and desire to succeed in the sports industry.

With that in mind, regardless of what avenue you decide to pursue in sports management, there are going to be many challenges ahead before and after you land the dream job in sports that you have always desired.

5. GETTING YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR

So you have your degree in hand and you are ready to hit the ground running. Unless you were lucky enough to land a great internship during your summers and have already been offered a job, this is a lot easier said than done.

By a great internship I mean one that had you doing more then just pushing papers around and providing you with the work experience which will give you a competitive edge that allowed you to see what area of sports management is right for you.

As with any job, you need to get your foot in the door in order to have the chance to impress potential future employers.

This can be achieved in many ways but none of them are easy and will take a lot of hard work.

Here are some ways in which you can get noticed right out of the gate.

• Having A High GPA And Graduating In The Top Of Your Class
• Having A Great Internship And Making A Big Impression
• Of You Can Sell Yourself, You Can Sell Your Services
• Having The Right Connections In The Business

As much as I hate to say it, I will continue to say that the reality can sometimes be who you know rather then what you know.

4. BEING A PEOPLE PERSON AND NETWORKING

Sports management is a large social industry. Regardless what your job may be, the majority of jobs in sports management, whether it be as a team executive, administrator, marketing professional or agent, you will need to feel comfortable talking and communicating to lots of different people on a daily basis.

With every person you have dealings with, you need to enjoy it and always be:

• Sincere
• Honest
• Forthcoming
• Straightforward

It is not just a text and a fax, but numerous emails, phone calls, and face-to-face meetings.

Networking is extremely important in order to make the right connections and working those connections every day.

Networking is not just getting on Facebook, Tweeter, or LinkedIn, but getting out there, making your face known at conventions, sporting events, award ceremonies, and even accidently on purpose running into someone where you have a chance to introduce yourself.

3. HOURS AND TRAVEL

If you want to get into Sports Management, regardless of what area you are looking to get into, if a 9:00-5:00 job with weekends off and no travel is what you hope to do, sports management is not going to be for you.

Sports management professionals, whether it is as:

• A Team Executive
• Administrator
• Marketing Professional
• Scout or Agent

You are basically working 24 hours a day, seven days a week with lots of travel time away from home.

2. RESOURCES

Another challenge is resources. If you end up working for a large agency with a big bank account which spends thousands of dollars in order recruit a player without even blinking, then you need to thank your lucky stars and do what ever you have to do to stay employed there.

For a small agency or someone going it on their own that continually needs to watch the budget, then this is one of the biggest challenges of all.

When every nickel and dime is accounted for, it is tough to justify such an expense, especially knowing that your clients can fire you at any time for any reason. There are no guarantees in this business.

1. THE COMPETITION

While the sports industry is huge, the competition is fierce and cut throat to say the least. In taking sports agents for instance, agents are a dime a dozen compared to the amount of athletes available for representation.

There is a minority of players that make the millions of dollars you hear about compared to the amount of agents out hitting the streets every day looking for business.

Because of this, there are some agents out there that are more then willing to bend and break the rules in order to land a big client.

This definitely hurts the honest agents that follow the rules every day.

Soon you will have your diploma and will be cast out into the real world. In order to succeed, you will need to know all aspects of the sports industry and have the resources available to you in order to become successful.

As with most businesses these days, it is not what you know but who you know. I can’t say this enough. Networking is extremely important, but how do you find the right and important people to network with?

There are many resources which you can, and definitely should utilize in order to build your network and improve your chances to succeed in a sports management career.

Below I have listed the top resources that every sports management graduate should utilize to meet people in the business and increase their knowledge of the sports industry.

NORTH AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR SPORTS MANAGEMENT

The North American Society for Sports Management is a membership organization for professionals in the sports industry.

According to their website, “The purpose of NASSM is to promote, stimulate, and encourage study, research, scholarly writing, and professional development in the area of sport management.”

Membership is available to both current sports professionals along with sports management students.

As a member of NASSM you will receive:

• NASSM Conference fees at a discount
• An annual issue of the Sports Management Education Journal
• Bi-monthly issues of the Journal of Sports Management

The Journal features expert information covering numerous areas of sport management including:

• Marketing
• Sponsorship
• Tourism
• Consumer behavior

SPORTS INDUSTRY NETWORKING AND CAREER CONFERENCE

Sports conferences are extremely important in building a network and letting you be known in the industry and the Sports Industry Networking Conference is one of the leading sports conferences in the business.

It is an annual event that features some the top executives in sports and gives both students and recent graduates the opportunity to meet the biggest names in sports and hear keynote speeches, participate in panel and roundtable discussions and help build strong networks.

SPORTS EXECUTIVE ASSOCIATION

The Sports Executives Association is the place on the web for sports executives to get together to share ideas and build their networks and businesses. It is a great place for Sports Management students to:

• Interact with top executives
• Learn about the sports industry
• Build a network

This site could help increase your network which could lead to some great opportunities after you have graduated.

SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Sports Business Journalis a must read for anyone who works or aspires to work in the sports industry. The Sports Business Journal gets into every different aspect of a sports career.

The Sports Business Journal gives you all of the latest industry information including:

• Marketing
• Sponsorship
• Media
• Agents
• Facilities

THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS

The Business of Sports is a sports industry blog that features a lot of content which helps both students and professionals alike keep up to date with the sports industry.  So regardless of whether you are interested in sports marketing, advertising, ticket sales, or social media, this site will help keep you informed and up to date.

WORK IN SPORTS

Workinsports.com is the best job board that there is in the sports industry. With over 5000 employers, 2500 sports jobs, and many internships listed, Workinsports.com can help you find an internship in which you can build your resume and gain ever important experience. Once you graduate, this site should be your first stop in trying to find work.

SPORTSCAREERS.COM

SportsCareers.com is another job board that features literally thousands of different sports jobs. They also have valuable content which can give you additional knowledge and help you develop your sports management career.

TEAMWORK ONLINE

Teamwork Online is a sports job board with a unique twist.  Teamwork Online has what they call “Call an Audible,” which provides job hunters with an audio job description directly from the hiring person.  The site also has numerous search features that will allow you to sort job listings by location, job type, and sport.

NCAA

For anyone interested in working in collegiate athletics, you must visit NCAA.org. They have a Job board that features listings from all NCAA member schools.

They also have a great search function which gives you the opportunity to refine your search in order to find the exact job that you are looking for. You can also post your resume on the site so that schools with an opening can find you as well.

AGENT ADVISOR PROGRAM

For those looking to get into marketing, promotions, and representing professional athletes, Agency Athlete has an Agent Advisor certification training program which presents the chance for people to break into the world of sports and give them the opportunity to work directly with athletes.

After successful completion of the course curriculum, which you can complete within 30 days, you can start your journey as an Agent Advisor, learn the business and gain valuable experience while working under the umbrella of Agency Athlete.

The Agent Advisor program gives you a wider range of experience than any internship or account executive job with a sports agency. ]]> http://sportsmanagementdegree.org/2012/resources-for-sports-management-grads/feed/ 0 http://sportsmanagementdegree.org/2012/student-equipment-manager-positions-open-doors/ http://sportsmanagementdegree.org/2012/student-equipment-manager-positions-open-doors/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 22:30:50 +0000 Nolan Thomas of Agency Athlete http://sportsmanagementdegree.org/?p=1220 Continue reading →]]> While being an Equipment Manager might not be considered a glamor position that a lot of Sports Management hopefuls aspire for, it is one of the best positions in the sports industry as it can open doors for a well paid and fulfilling career.

After all, an Equipment Manager is one of the most important aspects of a team and gets to work with athlete’s everyday and being a Student Equipment Manager while working for your Sports management degree is an excellent way to go.

GAINING FROM EXPERIENCE

The biggest point in being a Student Equipment Manager is that it gets your foot in the door and allows you to:

• Meet Important People
• Help Open Up Other Doors
• Build Up Your Network
• Increase Opportunities Down The Road

After all, reality these days in any business is not what you know, but who you know and the more people you know the more opportunities will open up for you in the future.

LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE

If you are in fact currently enrolled at a college or university in a Sports Management program, you are probably in one with a major athletics program as well. After all, that’s what gives you the advantage over students working for an online degree.

That is not to say that there are nor opportunities for students in an online program, as there are probably numerous opportunities in your local area including:

• Local Colleges Or Universities
• High Schools
• Local Sports Clubs
• Professional Teams

There are many different teams and sports that need student managers and that experience and the people you meet during that time is very valuable and can not be matched.

WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD!

There may be times as a student equipment manager that you feel that you are not getting the respect you feel you deserve or have earned. I encourage you not to let times like these bring you down.

Regardless of what you may be doing or how much you love the title or the idea of your job, there are always going to be times when you feel that it is too much to handle.

The athletes drive you crazy, the coaches drive you crazy, and the Administration does not understand all of your needs or what you may need to be successful.

Welcome to the real world!

A typical day in the life of a student equipment manager can be very hectic as:

• The Phone Is Ringing Off The Hook
• Athletes Want Their Practice Gear
• E-Mails Need To Be Answered
• Trucks Are Lined Up With Deliveries

Typically, there is too much work to do and not enough time to do it.

EQUIPMENT MANAGERS

While you are a student equipment manager, the actual Equipment Manager will probably be your supervisor.

Equipment Managers must also:

• Balance Cost With Quality
• Make Sure Equipment Is Properly Fitted
• Maintain The Equipment
• Ensure That Inventories Stay Current

According to the Athletic Equipment Managers Association (AEMA), close to 30 percent of equipment manager’s time is spent communicating with:

• The Athletic Department Head
• The Coaches
• The Athletic Directors
• Staff Members

DO NOT GIVE UP

Even though it may be hectic with long hours and many demands, being an Equipment Manager is highly rewarding both mentally and financially and in the long run it will be well worth it.

Just remember to have a positive attitude and to always try your best. If you do this, you will succeed in any career choice.

When people think about a career as an NFL Agent, they instantly think of the movie “Jerry McGuire.”

While being an NFL Agent can be a rewarding career with a mass amount of perks for football fans, being an NFL Agent takes a lot of work in order to succeed.

NFL AGENT DUTIES

While an NFL Agents main duty to their clients is too negotiate their professional sports contract with the team that drafts them, it is also their job to offer clients other services as well.

Some of these duties include:

• Marketing And Endorsements
• Contract Advisor Services
• Tax Planning
• Financial /Investment Advice
• Legal Services
• Realty And Relocation
• Media Relations

There are some agents that handle all of these duties themselves, but typically those agents only have one client or a low minimum number of clients so they have the time to do all these things whereas an agent with 25 or more clients does not and will delegate these to other people within the agency.

There are many sports agencies and agents out there that are looking for people to specialize in a particular aspect of the many services that are offered to their clients.

NFL AGENT REQUIREMENTS

Becoming an NFL agent requires:

• Superior Networking Skills
• An Excellent Education
• Communication Skills
• Strong Sales Skills
• A Firm Mathematics Background
• A Lot Of Patience
• Networking
• Managing Interpersonal Relationships

In addition to satisfying the needs of your client, you will also need to satisfy the needs of:

• His Team
• His Sponsors
• Team Owners
• Managers
• Coaches

Besides handling their client’s financial business, an NFL agent also takes care of:

• Managing Investments
• Endorsements
• Photo Ads
• Radio Appearances
• Autograph Signings
• Filing The Athlete’s Taxes Every Year
• Public Appearances

NFL AGENT REQUIREMENTS

With the correct education, preparation, a lot of perseverance and extreme loyalty, an NFL agent can earn a lot of money and become famous.

In order to be a certified NFL agent you must be certified by the NFLPA which has strict requirements that must be adhered too.

• Undergraduate AND Post Graduate Degree (Master’s Or Law) From An Accredited College/University
• Authorization To Perform A Background Investigation
• Mandatory Attendance At A Two (2) Day Seminar In Washington, DC
• Successful Completion Of Written Proctored Examination
• Valid Email Address
• Non-Refundable Application Fee Of $2,500.00

The examination is a 60 question multiple-choice examination and has a time limit of three hours and will cover:

• The Current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
• The Salary Cap
• Player Benefits
• NFLPA Regulations Governing Contract Advisors
• Other Issues Relevant To Player Representation.

SPORTS MANAGEMENT DEGREE

While some colleges and universities call the program “Sports Management” and others may call it “Sports Administration,” there are many schools in North America that offer degree programs, both online and brick and mortar, that will train and develop students for a career as An NFL agent.

The required curriculum of each school may vary, but they all have courses that include:

• Business Management
• Introduction to Sport Administration
• Principles of Management
• Accounting
• Sports Marketing
• Ethical Principles in Sport
• Economics of Sport

Some schools offer both undergraduate and graduate Sports Management degree programs although the majority of them strictly offer undergraduate degrees.

NFL AGENT EARNINGS

An NFL agent is not allowed to receive more than 3% of his client’s playing contract but he can earn 10 to 20% of any and all endorsement contracts.

As rewarding as it may sound, less than 5% of NFL agents earn over $100,000 a year. In addition, it usually takes several years as an agent to build up the clientele and reputation to earn enough money to live on. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual salary for an NFL agent is about $50,000.

Some of the fun perks you would have as a sports agent is free admission to many sporting events including:

• The NFL Draft
• The Playoffs, Championship Games and Super Bowl
• Pro-Bowl Game
• Any Big Sporting Event Your Clients Are Involved With

Being an NFL agent is highly competitive, and there are no promises that you will succeed. Around 50% of all certified NFL agents do not have a single client.

Even though the glitz and glamour of being personally involved with professional athletes sounds like it would be an exciting career, sports agents work long hours, have to be available 24 hours a day, and travel away from their families a majority of the time.

Sports management degree programs often include courses in:

• Sports Business Management
• Athletic Management
• Accounting
• Marketing

With the rising popularity of the internet, getting an online college degree is not foolproof. There are also a lot of internet scammers out there that would gladly take your money without providing the online degree that was promised to you when you signed the check.

Students looking for an online degree should make sure to check the credentials of any online program that they may be interested in.

ACCREDITATION IS VERY IMPORTANT

Finding a program that is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization ensures that you are getting an online college degree that will give you the proper training in order to obtain and be successful in your chosen field. If an online degree is earned from an accredited online university or college, that degree is just as valid as if it you earned it at a brick and mortar school.

TOP ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM

While there are really not any specific Associate Sports Management degree programs, there are many programs that offer AA degrees in:

• Business
• Accounting
• Marketing
• Management
• Legal Studies

These are very important as they are required in most Bachelors Degree programs.

One of the top online schools for associate degree programs is the University of Phoenix.

With more than 200 locations, as well as online learning options, University of Phoenix makes quality higher education accessible for working students.

TOP BACHELORS DEGREE PROGRAM

There are many accredited online schools that offer a Sports Management degree program but one of the best is the BS in Sports Management from Post University.

Not only will their program prepare you for a challenging and exciting career in the sports industry, you will learn the skills necessary to work in:

• Management
• Administrative
• Marketing

Post University’s Bachelor of Science in Sport Management Degree program is taught by faculty members with advanced academic degrees and extensive experience in the world of sport management.

In addition, students will take an assortment of courses in:

• Liberal Arts
• Organizational Leadership
• Personal Development

These will provide the knowledge needed to become a leader in the field of Sport Management.

TOP MASTERS DEGREE PROGRAM

If it is your goal to be a general manager for a professional sports franchise, you are going to need a Masters Degree.

One of the best online schools which offer advanced degree specializing in Sports Management is The University of the Southwest.

Professionals with an advanced degree have a variety of Sports Management career opportunities including:

• Professional Sports
• Inter-Collegiate Sports
• Amateur Sport Franchises
• Sport Tourism
• Sport And Recreation Merchandizing
• Non-Profit Sport And Recreation
• Public Parks And Recreation Agencies
• Military Recreation
• International Sport And Recreation

A Masters degree indicates a strong level of commitment and expertise in Sports Management and is the level of commitment and expertise that you will need to have a chance in becoming a top executive in the sports world.

The two biggest advantages of an online degree program are that they offer great cost savings and flexible scheduling.

With the current economic environment online degree programs have become very popular, especially with adult learners or people that do not have the time to attend college full time.

FINDING THE RIGHT PROGRAM

While online degree programs have grown tremendously in the last decade from private schools, for-profit schools and state universities, online degree programs are not all created equal.

When looking for the right program, do the leg work and get all of the information possible about each school that has a Sports Management degree program that interests you.

Before making your choice, it is vital to:

• Do Some Outside Research
• Get An Information Packet
• Talk To The Admissions Counselors

In addition, do not let the name of the school influence you into making a decision. Some of the best and most reputable online schools have names that you never heard of, while some shady unaccredited schools can have names that make them almost sound Ivy League or a top state university.

It is very important to check the accreditation of any school offering an online degree program.

WHAT EXACTLY IS ONLINE TRAINING

The first question most students ask is “what exactly is online training?”

There is not really one clear definition for online training and there are even more names for it:

• Asynchronous Training
• Computer Based Training
• Distance Learning
• E-learning
• Online Learning
• Self-Paced Learning

Online training is a form of instruction that involves learning content focused around a specific topic, such as Sports Management, which is then taught via the internet using a variety of multimedia elements such as:

• Audio and Video
• Graphics
• Interactive Content
• Presentations and Lectures

This content is uploaded in to a Learning Management System (LMS) which is made available to students who can access courses via a web browser.

ONLINE CLASS SCHEDULE

As said earlier, online degree programs are each different and it would be a good idea to check out how classes work before signing up for a program.

A lot of students assume that in an online degree program they can make their own schedule, attend online classes at their leisure all from the comfort of home.

There are two most basic terms used for online programs.

• Asynchronous
  In this type of class, the teacher gives you different assignments and tests that are due at a certain date. As long as the work is completed by the deadline, you can do the work at your leisure. But remember, doing well in an asynchronous course requires excellent discipline.

• Synchronous
  This is closer to traditional class room learning. Specific times are set for you, your fellow students and your teacher to go online for class. Some synchronous courses are done through “webinars,” where students log in to watch a presentation and listen to the teacher either via the web or telephone.

There are also some schools with online degree programs where it is expected you meet face-to-face with the professor at least once in order to receive credit.

In addition, there may be other requirements besides just attending your online class and you could be expected to participate in:

• Answer Questions In Forums
• Online Chat Sessions
• Participate In Group Discussions

IS AN ONLINE PROGRAM RIGHT FOR ME

Before you commit to an online degree program make sure that it is right for you.

Be sure to truthfully ask yourself if can handle the responsibility and have the discipline to do the work without an instructor looking over your shoulder or reminding you that an assignment is due tomorrow or that there is an exam on Friday.

There are those students who do much better in a classroom setting with face-to-face interaction with not only the teacher but with other students as well.

These days, most Universities, both online and commuting, are offering both undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Sports Management. The most important part of choosing the best Sports Management degree program is only going with a program that is highly accredited.

There are a lot more jobs in the sports industry then just superstar athletes, so if you are not one of the rare athletes that can hit a baseball 500 feet or throw a football anywhere on the field with accuracy, there are many jobs in the sports business that do not require being an actual athlete.

There are many different jobs out there for Sports Management professionals including:

• · Athletic Academic Advisers
• · Agent Advisors
• · Recruiters
• · Scouts
• · Sales Professionals
• · Event Coordinators
• · Sports Journalists
• · Coaching
• · Public Relations Managers
• · Fund-Raising Coordinators
• · Compliance Directors.

However, there is increasing competition for these positions, with lawyers, communications majors, and business manager graduates all looking for a shot to work in the wonderful business of sports.

There are numerous undergraduate sport management degree programs at colleges and universities across the country and as in any field of study, there are variations in each school’s program.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Picking a school in a major sports region of the country such as Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, and New York, to name a few, have the proximity that can help students land that great internship while still in school or in landing that great job once you have graduated.

Picking a school with a large sports program is a must if you intend to major in Sports Management.

Division I schools are perfect for Sports Management majors because there are numerous opportunities to intern with the schools various sports teams and sports organizations giving you much needed experience.

THE RIGHT TEACHERS

Having reputable professors is a plus in a Sports Management degree program so it is a good idea to research each potential program and the professors who will be teaching it.

Learning from knowledgeable teachers will make for a well rounded education as they can explain everything that goes on behind the scenes in Sports Management.

Research can usually be done by checking out the program’s website and reading student reviews on the program and teachers.

INTERNSHIPS

Because of the extreme competition for Sports Management jobs, a degree program that is able to provide networking and internship experience is crucial.

Most Sports Management degree programs require candidates to serve an internship. One good place to look for an internship opportunity would be at your schools team offices or athletic departments.

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

Sports Management Conferences are not only a great networking opportunity but they give the chance to “meet and greet” with people working in the highest levels of professional sports.

Conferences give you a chance to learn about multiple careers in sports and mingle with sports professionals from all over the sporting world.

Sports Management Conferences allow you to network face to face with:

• Directors Of Player Personnel
• Executive Scouts
• Former Professional Athletes
• General Managers
• Head Coaches
• Sports Agents
• Sports Writers

Programs will vary in cost and the amount of financial support the institution can offer students, so you should examine this investment in terms of your budget, the amount of time you think you will spend on the degree, and how your eventual school of choice can help you financially.

As with any student, there is always the question rolling around in your head about what to do once you actually graduate and have a Sports Management degree in hand.

School is over and soon you will be cast out into the real world. In order to succeed, you will need to know the sports industry in and out and have the tools you need to become successful.

As with most businesses these days, it is not what you know but who you know. As much as I hate to say it, that is the way it is and networking is great way to get to know the right people.

We know that networking is extremely important, but how do you find important people to network with?

There are many networking resources which you can, and definitely should, utilize in order to improve your chances and succeed in a sports management career.

Below I have listed the top resources that every sports management student should utilize to build up your network, meet people in the business and increase your knowledge of the sports industry in order to kick start your career in the sports world.

NORTH AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR SPORTS MANAGEMENT

The North American Society for Sports Management is a membership organization for professionals in the sports industry.

According to their website, “The purpose of NASSM is to promote, stimulate, and encourage study, research, scholarly writing, and professional development in the area of sport management.”

Membership is available to both current sports professionals along with sports management students.

As a member of NASSM you will receive:

• NASSM Conference fees at a discount
• An annual issue of the Sports Management Education Journal
• Bi-monthly issues of the Journal of Sports Management

The Journal features expert information covering numerous areas of sport management including:

• Marketing
• Sponsorship
• Tourism
• Consumer behavior

SPORTS INDUSTRY NETWORKING AND CAREER CONFERENCE

Sports conferences are extremely important in building a network and letting you be known in the industry and the Sports Industry Networking Conference is one of the leading sports conferences in the business.

It is an annual event that features some the top executives in sports and gives both students and recent graduates the opportunity to meet the biggest names in sports and hear keynote speeches, participate in panel and roundtable discussions and help build strong networks.

SPORTS EXECUTIVE ASSOCIATION

The Sports Executives Association is the place on the web for sports executives to get together to share ideas and build their networks and businesses. It is a great place for Sports Management students to:

• Interact with top executives
• Learn about the sports industry
• Build a network

This site could help increase your network which could lead to some great opportunities after you have graduated.

SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Sports Business Journal is a must read for anyone who works or aspires to work in the sports industry. The Sports Business Journal gets into every different aspect of a sports career.

The Sports Business Journal gives you all of the latest industry information including:

• Marketing
• Sponsorship
• Media
• Agents
• Facilities

THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS

The Business of Sports is a sports industry blog that features a lot of content which helps both students and professionals alike keep up to date with the sports industry.  So regardless of whether you are interested in sports marketing, advertising, ticket sales, or social media, this site will help keep you informed and up to date.

AGENT ADVISOR PROGRAM

For those looking to get into marketing, promotions, and representing professional athletes, Agency Athlete has an Agent Advisor certification training program which presents the chance for people to break into the world of sports and give them the opportunity to work directly with athletes.

After successful completion of the curriculum, you can start your journey as an Agent Advisor, learn the business and gain valuable experience while working under the umbrella of Agency Athlete.

The Agent Advisor program gives you a wider range of experience than any internship or account executive job with a sports agency.

WORK IN SPORTS

Workinsports.com is the best job board that there is in the sports industry. With over 5000 employers, 2500 sports jobs, and many internships listed, Workinsports.com can help you find an internship in which you can build your resume and gain ever important experience. Once you graduate, this site should be your first stop in trying to find work.

SPORTSCAREERS.COM

SportsCareers.com is another job board that features literally thousands of different sports jobs. They also have valuable content which can give you additional knowledge and help you develop your sports management career.

TEAMWORK ONLINE

Teamwork Online is a sports job board with a unique twist.  Teamwork Online has what they refer to as “Call an Audible,” which provides job hunters with an audio job description directly from the hiring person.  The site also has numerous search features that will allow you to sort job listings by location, job type, and sport.

NCAA

For anyone interested in working in collegiate athletics, you must visit NCAA.org. They have a Job board that features listings from all NCAA member schools.

They also have a great search function which gives you the opportunity to refine your search in order to find the exact job that you are looking for. You can also post your resume on the site so that schools with an opening can find you as well.