Career Tips and Advice for the Sports Industry

Were you planning on attending the Red Sox Sports and Entertainment Career Fair today? Eager to learn how to remain connected to professionals in the sports industry? Hear career tips directly from organizers and participants of the Career Fair on how you can still launch a career in the sports industry!

While we are disappointed that we will not be able to host the event today we thought it may be useful to offer some career tips and advice for those looking to pursue a career in sports or learn more about the industry.  We asked representatives at a few other organizations to share their advice as well potential opportunities that may exist within the organization, see below!

Boston Red Sox

  • Be open minded while learning about various opportunities within the industry, take time to read up on the different areas of the industry through online forums or popular sports publications such as Sports Business Journal
  • While learning as much as possible about the industry through research and internships is important, be sure to plan a career path based on the area of the industry that interests you most, stay consistent in your pursuit of opportunities within these areas
  • Network, network, network.  The sports industry is extremely network driven, take time to meet and learn from those with experience and use their guidance as much as possible

Boston Celtics

  • Before a career fair, interview, or meeting someone new, do your research into their company and be ready to show what you learned.  Be knowledgeable of the company’s leadership, who they are and maybe if they were in the news recently, have an example ready to go
  • Saying you’re a fan does not give you a competitive advantage.  Instead of “I’m a huge fan of XXX and it’s always been my dream to work for XXX”, try “It’s hard to not be a fan of XXX, not only on the court/field, but the success that the leadership team has achieved off the court/field” and have specific examples
  • Utilize your network.  The sports industry can be very competitive, so use any resources to your advantage.  LinkedIn is a great place to find someone at a company that went to the same school as you, is from the same town, has a shared connection with you, etc.  Don’t forget about your school’s alumni database!

The Lowell Spinners

  • Have a path but be flexible. You may know exactly what you want to do and that is great, but also be open to new opportunities and industries that may come your way.
  • Ask questions often, asking questions does not mean you don’t know what you are doing, it shows that you are committed to learning more and becoming more involved in what you do
  • Internship Opportunities can be found at  – https://www.milb.com/lowell/community/internapplication

Boston Cannons

New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Blue Sky Sport and Entertainment

  • Always put forth your very best effort and then some
  • Make yourself invaluable by making your boss’s life easier
  • If you have a problem, do not just run to your boss with it, come up with a solution then approach your boss with the problem and the solution

 

By Jennifer Graham
Jennifer Graham Associate Director, Undergraduate Career Development, Pulsifer Career Development Center