The Playbook for Your Career: 18 Jobs for College Athletes

Transitioning from a student-athlete to a working professional can be a challenging but rewarding journey. You’ve already developed skills like discipline, teamwork, and leadership, and now it’s time to leverage those for a new career. Here are some tips to help you get a job after sports, along with a list of 18 potential career paths.

How to Land a Job After Sports

• Gain Relevant Experience: Don’t wait until graduation. Look for part-time jobs or internships in your college’s athletic department, with local sports teams, or at the student newspaper or radio station. Every experience adds to your resume and helps you build a professional network.
• Start Networking: The sports world is built on connections. Reach out to coaches, athletic staff, and alumni in fields that interest you. The people you know can open doors to job opportunities and referrals.
• Consider a Career in the Minor Leagues: You don’t have to start at the top. The minor leagues and smaller organizations are a great way to gain valuable experience and work your way up to a major professional league.
• Use Your Athletic Experience: Your time as an athlete gives you an advantage. Whether you’re coaching, scouting, or managing a team, your experience with the game will earn you the respect of colleagues and players.

18 Career Paths for Former Athletes

• Sportswriter: A journalist who covers the sports industry.
• Sports League Manager: Handles the business side of a league or team.
• Sports Center Manager: Manages the day-to-day operations of a sports facility.
• Sports Editor: Assigns and edits sports stories for a newspaper or website.
• Sports Coach: Directs and trains a team or individual athlete.
• Athletics Coach: Improves the athletic skills of a sports team.
• Exercise Physiologist: Creates exercise programs to help patients with health issues.
• Kinesiologist: Studies human movement to help manage and prevent injuries.
• Head Coach: Oversees the professional training of athletes.
• Personal Trainer: Creates fitness plans and motivates clients to reach their health goals.
• Fitness Manager: Manages the staff and budget of a fitness club.
• Athletics Manager: Promotes individual athletes or athletic organizations.
• Sports Consultant: Analyzes industry trends to provide feedback to clients.
• Athletic Scout: Recruits new members for a sports team.
• Fitness Director: Oversees fitness classes and programs for an organization.
• Wellness Manager: Creates and promotes wellness programs for a community.
• Kinesiotherapist: Creates exercise programs to improve muscle function.
• Physical Therapist: Helps injured individuals manage pain and improve physical movement.