KRob2005; Flickr
KRob2005; Flickr

Lots of athletes enter the world of sports jobs, but a career in sports appeals to many other types of professionals. The boom in marketing, social media, performance analytics, and many other fields has opened up many opportunities within the sports industry.

Let’s take a look at how anybody — no matter their athletic ability — can find a job in sports that fits them perfectly:

Science Fans

Job seekers with an interest in science have a lot of opportunities within the sports industry. Scientists are great problem solvers and critical thinkers, and when combined with their scientific knowledge, they can be effective at athletic training. Athletes need to know how to train, what to track and measure, and which options are best for them to achieve their goals.

Fitness-related roles, like personal training, physical therapy, nutrition, and clinical exercise specialists, are ideal for people interested in science and who want to make a big difference in the industry.

These types of sports jobs are important because they empower athletes to reach their highest potential. They also help guide them with specialized training, recovery plans, and conditioning programs, so they can compete at their best performance levels while staying healthy during their career.

Natural Leaders

Leaders are in demand throughout the entire workforce. The Global Workforce Leadership survey from Workplace Trends found that almost half of the companies surveyed in 2015 said that leadership is the hardest skill to find in employees.

So, what makes a natural leader? One of the most important traits is being a great listener. They give their full, undivided attention. What’s more, they empathize with others. They make genuine connections and build relationships with their colleagues.

That understanding is important because when they can see another’s perspective, they can better guide them to solve problems. Natural leaders make excellent coaches.

Leaders and coaches alike know how to identify specific problems and offer actionable solutions. They are flexible and can stay optimistic in tough times. What’s most important is focusing on empowering athletes with the right tools and training.

Creatives

Creative types excel at visualizing end results, looking at things from a variety of angles, and solving problems in innovative ways. Their unique set of skills makes them competitive in the sports jobs market.

The sports industry offers a lot of opportunities for creatives to thrive. Sports media jobs, for example, employ creative professionals in several different outlets, like television, radio, and websites. They can produce video content, work in editorial as a sports writer, direct campaign initiatives, or manage social media accounts.

Sports needs creatives to help connect brands with people in a meaningful, engaging way. For example, digital marketing can give fans exciting new ways to interact with their favorite teams or brands.

Technology is making the relationship between the fan and the brand closer than ever before. Product developers are spearheading the initiative to bring people what they want when they want it. This is another option for those creative types who have a knack for coding and other IT work.

Organizers

People who are organized are ready to succeed in coordinator and event planning roles, among many others. Their ability to manage multiple tasks at once and execute several different plans is valuable in a number of sports jobs.

Sports management jobs require these skills. Managers juggle client accounts, host big events, and offer consultation services for sales teams, among many other things.

Organizers are also really good at compartmentalizing thoughts and staying focused, which allows them to maintain high levels of productivity during busy times and heavy workloads. They also confront obstacles with diligence. Instead of avoiding and procrastinating, they typically take on their biggest challenge first.

No matter what category or type of professional you fall under, you have a home in the sports industry. So, pursue your passions and use your strengths to your advantage. Opportunity awaits — it’s up to you to find it.

What sports jobs do you align with?