The Skills Learned in Sports Are Your Greatest Asset in the Age of AI

As a self-described “drama club nerd,” I used to be skeptical of school-based athletic programs. While I still believe that a healthier separation between competitive sports and education could exist, I have come to recognize that the skills students gain from sports are becoming essential for their professional success. As artificial intelligence automates more repetitive, technical tasks, the value of noncognitive skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability is increasing dramatically. Whether they realize it or not, student-athletes have worked hard to develop these exact skills. A new analysis from LiveCareer suggests that student-athletes often fail to leverage their experiences, instead burying these unique differentiators under their technical training on resumes.

In my work with students, I’ve encouraged them to think strategically about how they highlight these noncognitive skills during their job hunt. Employers already have a good way of measuring technical ability, but noncognitive skills are more difficult to assess. Student-athletes can stand out by reframing their sports experiences as a testament to their leadership, organization, and resilience, placing these attributes front and center in their resumes and interview conversations. As the new school year begins, remember that no effort is ever wasted. In every victory and defeat, you are learning skills that will be invaluable for the rest of your life. The game may end after graduation, but the lessons you learned on the field will stay with you forever.