Timing and Resilience: How Student-Athletes Can Tackle a Tough Job Market

For student-athletes, entering the job market can feel like a game of timing. The same way an athlete’s career can hinge on seizing an opportunity at the right moment, recent graduates face the same challenge. For student-athletes, balancing sports and academics can add a layer of complexity, especially when job market conditions shift.

Take Solomon Jones, for example. A sports communications graduate from Rowan University, he’s experiencing the struggles of securing a full-time position in a field that aligns with his degree. Although he’s exploring various job options, the pressure of student debt and a competitive job market has left him relying on freelance gigs and living with his parents while he waits for the right opportunity. It’s a situation that feels all too familiar for many student-athletes, who may find their niche in sports but still need to be adaptable when their career search extends beyond the playing field.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Some student-athletes, like Monica Para, manage to hit the ground running after graduation. Para, who earned a computer science degree from the University of Illinois, found a job before she graduated and now enjoys the financial stability to invest in further education. For student-athletes, having the foresight to start job searching early, just as they would prepare for a season, can give them a competitive advantage.

For many, the key is persistence. Jahanvi Shah, a graduate from Cornell University, had to weather months of rejection before landing her full-time role in 2024. Her story serves as a reminder for student-athletes: the same resilience that they’ve honed in sports can help them weather tough job searches. Building networks, staying in the game, and refining their skills—whether on the field or in the workplace—can pay off.

Even in a challenging job market, student-athletes possess valuable qualities like teamwork, resilience, and adaptability, all of which are crucial in a shifting job market. While timing may play a role, it’s their perseverance, preparation, and ability to pivot—just like in sports—that will ultimately set them apart.