There is nothing quite as rewarding as being able to turn a passion into a career. There are so many people out there who are toiling away in a job that they have no personal investment in. If you are thinking of pursuing your personal interests in the world of work, then you are going to set yourself up for the kind of job satisfaction that most people can only dream of.
However, we all know that there is always going to be a lot of competition out there for these kinds of jobs. These are the positions that are going to be fought over tooth and nail, especially when it comes to the graduate jobs market, and knowing that can make it seem a little daunting. The important thing to remember is that it is going to take commitment and preparation if you want to turn your personal passion into your professional future. Sport is one of the best examples of this. Everyone has dreamt at some point about working in the world of sport, whether it is becoming a professional athlete or working behind the scenes in management or coaching. But it is not the kind of job that you can find overnight. If you are serious about getting into sport as a career, here are a few tips to help you get started.
Take It Seriously
The first point is an obvious one, but it is absolutely crucial. We all know that the world of sport is about as competitive as you can get. If you approach this in a half-hearted fashion, and if you do not take it seriously, then you are going to be beaten out for jobs by people who are willing to grind. If this really is your dream, then you need to be willing to work for it.
Do Your Research
It does not matter what area of sport you are interested in working in, you are not going to be able to simply walk in. If you want to make sure that you are getting on the right path, then you need to do your research. Get online and look at what the best academic options are out there to help you get to where you are going. Remember that you are going to want to find the specific course to suit your specific interests. If you are interested in sports management, then looking for sports management courses in the UK is one of the best steps that you can take towards your career. The Sports Management Masters course at Stirling University will give you the knowledge that you need, as well as practical hands-on experience.
Get In Touch With The People Who Have Gone Before You
One of the most important things that you can do is to identify people that have taken the same career path as you. Whether they are in management, or work in health, or even in journalism, you will always be able to find people out there who are willing to help people who want to follow in their footsteps. Never be afraid to reach out with a request to talk about your upcoming journey to see if they have any advice or tips for you. Remember that it is always important to be polite, and that it may help if you have specific questions in advance. If you find people who are willing to share their time with you, they may not have an awful lot of time to give you so make the most of it!
Look At What Other Skills You Can Work On
One of the benefits of knowing exactly what you want to do is that you have a clear career path ahead of you. However, it is important to remember that things do not always work out as neatly as we may have planned, and that you may need to be flexible in terms of the jobs that you take. For example, if you are interested in management, you may find that you start out by working in social media or marketing for a time if those are the positions that are currently open. It is always worth thinking about what other skills you can add to your CV to show that you can help out wherever you are needed.
Volunteer Your Time
Given that sport is such a competitive field to get into, any hands-on experience is going to be like gold dust. You need to be ready to take on some volunteer experience if you can get it, as this will demonstrate to potential employers that you are motivated and that you are willing to dive right in. Reach out to the organisations that you are interested in to see if they offer any volunteering or interning. You should also think about looking at sports charities near you and remember that the government has invested heavily in these opportunities. Even if you are not getting paid, the hands-on experience that you gain will be vital. Work experience is also about starting to build your network of contacts. Everyone you meet during this process could be the person who will be deciding whether to give you a chance later on.
Work On Your People Skills
Sports is one of the most social career options out there. There are very few jobs in this industry that will not require you to work well with others, and it is important to keep this in mind especially if you are just getting started. For example, if you are looking at becoming a trainer then you will need to have exceptional communication skills as well as a keen understanding of how to keep the body in the best possible condition. If you want to become a manager, you will need to balance the needs of an organisation with the need to look after the people who are working for you. If you want to work in sports journalism, you will need to be able to sit down with people and get their stories. Once again, the best way to work on your people skills is by getting some experience.
