Many young people have the ambition of working in Professional Sport at some stage of their life, but it’s all about knowing how to make that pipe dream become a reality. Despite elite sports being an extremely competitive market, it doesn’t mean that it’s a dream that can never be achieved. To become a professional athlete, you’ll need to have the grit and determination to reach the top, a specific set of skills, a clear focus, and the relevant education. Here are some vital tips that will point you in the right direction on getting a career in professional sport:

1. Research the industry

Elite sport is a vast field, so it’s crucial to understand all the different areas before choosing a set focus; especially if you’re unsure which route to go down. You may discover that the job role you had in mind isn’t what you had imagined, which is why you should aim to broaden your horizons and aim to discover new opportunities that you may never have known about before.

2. Make the right connections

It’s not just what you know – but who you know when it comes to getting on any career ladder. Whether it be for sport or any other industry, employers are much more likely to take notice of you if you have been recommended by someone they know, rather than simply reading an application on their desk. 

Waste no time in mingling with professionals in the sports industry and make your name known. Attend job fairs, make connections on social media platforms such as LinkedIn and volunteer at some of your local sports centers or stadiums to interact with others already in the field. A chance meeting could put you in touch with essential figures in the sports industry which could dramatically boost your career prospects.

3. Scholarships

If you’re more interested in becoming a professional athlete, you must attend a commended American University with a quality sports program. Aspiring runners, for example, should embark on a Cross Country program and apply for a scholarship at asmscholarships.com. Scholarships are often eligible to strong runners who have competed at the highest national or regional level in their own countries. You’ll train hard and learn fundamental theories for playing a high-level sport, as well as finishing the course with lectures in career management to give you vital tips on starting your professional sporting career.

4. Get an internship

Being in the heart of an organization and learning how it works on a day-to-day basis gives you exposure to find out what it’s like to work there day-to-day. A paid work experience placement known as an ‘internship’ allows you to get ‘on the job’ experience and understand what it would be like to work in a specific position if you were to make it your career. Once the internship has come to an end, this small amount of experience will become a key selling point for your resume, but the company may also offer you a full-time position if you have impressed the employer.