Californians and New Englanders think of the Southeastern US as rural, remote and somewhat removed from modern ways. In truth, the southeastern region is quietly diverse—beaches line the Atlantic Coast from the Carolinas to the Florida Keys, and skyscrapers touch the clouds in Atlanta, Charlotte, and Miami. The sports scene in the southeast is just as varied. Small market pro teams compete with east coast big spenders, and the Southeastern Conference (SEC) dominates much of the college sports landscape. From Charlotte’s charm to the panhandle’s sun-kissed beaches, the southeast is a great place to live and work!
Atlanta, Georgia, embodies a southeastern metropolis—an amazing cityscape coupled with historic beauty. With over 400,000 residents in the city proper and more than 5 million residing in the Atlanta metropolitan area, it’s not rural by any means. The cultural districts offer refined entertainment—ballet, opera, orchestra, and theater are popular and plentiful. The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and the Atlanta Botanical Garden headline a top-ten US tourism industry. The city is well represented across the professional sports leagues—the Falcons, Hawks, Braves, and WNBA’s Dream all have a fan following. An MLS franchise is not too far off in the city’s future. Although Atlanta’s NHL franchise, the Thrashers, departed for Winnipeg in 2011, hockey fans hope the puck finds its way back soon. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (NCAA – Division 1) also call Atlanta home. Atlanta Motor Speedway, just 20 miles south of the city, brings over 100,000 fans to the area on major race weekends. With all these sports, the Atlanta metro needs professionals to contribute to its thriving sporting industry. A professional team is hiring dozens of positions, from Social Media Assistant and Business Analyst to Web Production Assistant and Director of Fan Services. A TV network needs an Art Director to aid one of the top outdoor advertising companies in the world. And Speedway Motorsports is searching for top talent to grow the nation’s racing fan base. Atlanta is a mix of urban sprawl and southern charm that’s hard to find and harder to let go of. Once you’re in Atlanta, you’re home.
Charlotte, North Carolina, the Queen City, is one of the top 20 largest cities in America. Situated in south-central North Carolina, Charlotteans are within a several-hour drive of both the mountains and the beach but also have a wealth of entertainment in the city. Home to tourist spots like the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Carolinas Aviation Museum, Opera Carolina, and Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, there is plenty of culture to go around. The subtropical weather—think minimal snowfall and hot, muggy summers—make it a great place to live. The city itself is spread out with an ever-changing uptown area that is home to both of Charlotte’s professional sports teams. Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers play football games at beautiful Bank of America Stadium, and the recently reclaimed Hornets basketball franchise is on the upswing. On the outskirts of the city, Charlotte Motor Speedway welcomes thousands of fans on big race weekends. These professional teams and event arenas need a variety of people to keep the city competitive. Account executives, graphic artists, sports ticketing professionals, sales managers, and more help make Charlotte a place to raise a family, evolve a career, and simply be happy.
Miami, Florida, cushioned up against pristine Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, is one of the most visited cities in America. It’s a collage of Latin culture, stunning beaches, all-night parties, and high finance and commerce. Companies like American Airlines and Carnival Cruise Lines are headquartered in Miami, and many international banks are concentrated in the downtown area. The metropolitan area has over 5.5 million residents, people that come from all walks of life to experience all the city has to offer. Miami Beach, Lincoln Road, Wynwood Art District, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, and Little Havana all offer different flavors of fun. Miamians love the diversity it provides, and the city’s sports teams blend well into the mix. The Florida Panthers, as well as the Miami Dolphins, Heat, and Marlins, play home games here, as do the famed Miami Hurricanes college team. And David Beckham headlines an ownership group that’s working to bring a Major League Soccer team to the city too. One of these professional teams needs a producer/editor to create entertainment segments for fans. A local sports radio station is searching for a digital media account executive to drive sales and manage key client relationships. And a Miami media content producer needs a sports writer to bring news and rumors to fans. The city is full of life, and the citizens are full of sports pride—even without LeBron James. Who’s ready to bring their talents to South Beach?
Orlando, Florida, is known for magical experiences—Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, and more. Naturally, tourism and hospitality are recognized as major industries. People come to the city for entertainment, but the ones who live there don’t all don costumes at a theme park. The city is also host to major industrial and high-tech businesses that create thousands of area jobs. Professional teams include the NBA’s Magic and, starting in 2015, Major League Soccer’s Orlando City SC. Even though just two professional sports teams call Orlando home, the city’s sports and gaming industries are always hiring. A sports gaming company needs engineers and producers to develop the next hit game. One of the local teams is hiring a ticketing manager and account executive for group sales. Locally based sports media networks need digital production coordinators and managers of digital research. And golf courses in and around town could use people to keep courses looking sharp and operating smoothly. You may think of Orlando as a tourist destination (and it is!), but over 2 million people call it home. You could too!
Tampa, Florida, is home to the Buccaneers, Rays, and NHL’s Lightning, as well as several minor-league and college teams. The city also hosts six pro baseball teams during spring training and a couple of NCAA football bowl games, the Outback Bowl and Beef O’ Brady’s Bowl. The Tampa Bay area—often called Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater—has well over 4 million residents and remains on a steady growth curve. The city’s industry is built around companies like Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, and Raymond James Financial that locate some key financial services operations in the area. Tourism and entertainment also remain a part of the region’s industry, as does IT, healthcare, and manufacturing. Residents and tourists alike enjoy a wide array of entertainment options—museums, performing arts centers, theme parks, zoos, beaches, and aquariums cover the metro area with culture and fun. The sports industry needs people to fill key jobs in the area. Do you enjoy writing? A local media company needs a sports writer. Looking for an internship? A pro sports team is hunting for corporate partners, graphic design, and community relations interns. Are you a marketing enthusiast? A local sports marketing firm is hiring a field marketing manager. The city is alive and thriving. Come enjoy the weather, the water, and the people. And find a sports job that will help you live your dream.
