Sports jobs
Pexel

You’re watching your phone again. It’s hard to break out of this habit, especially when you feel like you’ve done all you can to find sports jobs that fit you.

You’ve scoured job boards, applied to dozens of positions, and now you’re here waiting. The good news is you’re not alone. The better news is you can get unstuck today.

Let’s take a look at professional development opportunities to jump-start your search for sports jobs and fuel a sustainable career:

1. The Manhattan Sports Business Academy (MSBA)

This comprehensive program includes internship placement, mentorships, a speaking series, a professional development curriculum, and office field trips. Internships are great for job seekers who need help developing important skills and finding their true passions.

You want to reflect and ask yourself questions before starting your career in sports. When you intern, you get to work in fast-paced environments with all kinds of people.

This allows you to see what you like and what you don’t like in an office setting. Their internship providers list is not short of impressive opportunities — the MLB, FanDuel, the New York Red Bulls, and the NFL are just a few organizations they work with.

Mentorships are also essential to your professional development. At the MSBA, you work closely with three established professionals. They act as your support group as you progress through your career.

When you’re presented with real-life experience opportunities, ensure you are working for companies you share values with. A 2016 Deloitte survey found that 82 percent of millennials who stayed with the same company for more than five years felt their values aligned with those of the organization.

MSBA helps you identify those values, create a clear vision for your future, and expand your professional network, all of which give you a better understanding of yourself and what you want in an employer.

2. The North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM)

NASSM is a leading voice in promoting professional development in the world of sports management. However, this organization goes beyond sports management. It appeals to all those interested in sports jobs.

Members enjoy bimonthly journals and discounts for conferences. These events allow you to network and learn more about the sports industry. The group also helps you learn about management and leadership skills, as well as facility management and conflict resolution.

The benefits of networking go beyond just meeting new people. You can also build your communication skills. As an April 2016 report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) found, this is an essential need for employers recruiting college graduates.

NASSM also supports education and research with various awards and grants. Overall, there are a lot of great opportunities with this organization.

3. This group offers you the chance to connect with industry leaders by helping build your professional network. Members receive exclusive access to Facebook and LinkedIn groups where industry professionals with varying degrees of experience and tenure can interact and connect.

Social media is a great place to network. Engage with fellow members in the group chats, or look beyond that. Join other LinkedIn conversations, start tweet chats to gain new followers and learn more about your industry, and market yourself and your skills through your online presence.

SEA provides affiliate deals to help you with spreading your influence through YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn. These online courses are great for entrepreneurs starting a business, like a trainer who wants to start a freelance career in fitness. They also help you promote the content you’re creating if you’re running your own blog.

This association presents you with several educational resources. You can continue learning through webinars and training that covers topics like social media in sports, athlete branding, media and broadcasting, sponsorships, and more.

These three professional groups offer unique value to everyone interested in finding sports jobs and building a sustainable career.

How are you pursuing career development opportunities to jump-start your search for sports jobs?

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