Sport Management Careers & Internships
Careers
A degree in sport management will prepare you, the student, for jobs in six main career fields:
- Professional Sport Management
- Event and Facility Management and Marketing
- Exercise Science and Fitness Management
- Sporting Goods Management and Sales
- Sports Media
- Athletic Administration
Professional Sport Management
Including jobs in marketing and promotions, concessions, sales, ticket management, telemarketing, public relations, security, facility management, and law.
Employers
- Professional sport organizations
- National amateur sport governing bodies
- United States Olympic Training Center
- Sport marketing/event management firms
- College athletic departments
Strategies
- Volunteer to market/promote Sport Management Association (SMA)
- Complete an apprenticeship at souvenir stand during football season with SMA
- Work on-campus in ticketing through athletic department
- Attend state, regional, and national conferences.
- Get a summer job with a professional sport organization
- Work with the Catamount Club
Event and Facility Management and Marketing
Including jobs in special events, telemarketing, retailing, concessions, marketing/promotions, and campus recreation.
Employers
- Professional sport organizations
- Event management firms
- County or municipal facilities
- Parks and recreation departments
- College athletic departments
- Sport marketing firms
- Private corporations
Strategies
- Work at Ramsey Center in desired field
- Complete an apprenticeship at souvenir stand during football season * Volunteer to market/promote SMA
- Attend state, regional, and national conferences.
- Get pool operator's certification
- Get a summer job working at any facility
- Work with LMP events
- Work with the Catamount Club
Exercise Science and Fitness Management
Including jobs in strength and conditioning, research, and cardiac rehabilitation or as a fitness instructor or personal trainer.
Employers
- Corporate Fitness Facilities
- Health Club/Wellness Centers
- College Athletic Departments
- Hospitals
- Campus Recreation Department
- Physical Therapy Clinics
Strategies
- Plan on attending graduate school
- Work in on-campus cardiac rehabilitation program
- Obtain summer and volunteer positions in Health Clubs
- Work with sport teams conditioning programs
- Attend trade shows
- Become certified aerobic instructor
- Subscribe to industry journals
- Join professional association
- Attend state, regional, and national conferences
- Work in student fitness center
Sporting Goods Management and Sales
Including jobs in retailing, telemarketing, and manufacturer's representative.
Employers
- Sporting Goods/Retail Stores
- Manufacturing
- Private Rep Firms
- Professional Sport Teams
- College Athletic Departments
Strategies
- Obtain summer jobs in sales area
- Complete independent study in product knowledge
- Attend Sporting Goods Super Show in Atlanta
- Attend state, regional, and national conferences
- Work in souvenir/concessions stands
- Work with an organization selling signage, program ads, and group sales.
Sports Media
Including jobs in sports information, public relations, promotions, advertising sales, marketing, sports statistics, and sport history.
Employers
- Local television, newspapers, and trade newspapers
- Sport media outlets
- College athletic departments
- Professional sports teams
- National governing bodies
- Private promotion firms
Strategies
- Work with campus media outlets
- Volunteer in college sports information
- Obtain summer jobs with minor league teams
- Complete apprenticeship
- Volunteer to write sport management student/alumni newsletter
- Attend state, regional, and national conferences
- Study famous sports broadcasters
- Develop a portfolio of work to share including audiotapes, video tapes, press releases, and writing samples.
Athletic Administration
Including jobs in marketing/promotions/sales, ticket management, concessions, fundraising, academic counseling, compliance, and sports information or as an operations/events manager.
Employers
- College athletic departments
- Amateur sport organizations
- High school athletic departments
- Sport governing bodies
- Sport league conference offices
- Event management firms
- United States Olympic Training Center
Strategies
- Secure part-time summer job in concessions on campus or for local sports team or facilities * Work with Sport Management Association (SMA) events
- Work with athletic booster clubs
- Complete on-campus apprenticeship in desired area
- Volunteer in athletic department in any capacity
- Work with LMP
- Secure part-time job in Ramsey Center as usher, in ticketing, or in event operations.
- Subscribe to "NCAA News"
- Attend state, regional, and national conferences.
Additional Career Information
Internships
There are numerous internship opportunities for students. In some cases internships are established through a faculty member in the student's major. Oftentimes students find part-time jobs in an area related to their field of study. When this happens, students should discuss with their academic advisor the possibility of receiving college credit. Generally, three hours of general elective credit can be earned for a minimum of 200 hours of experience.
Advantages
- Three (possibly more) hours of course credit which counts as a general elective towards your degree
- Compensation
- Relevant entry-level experience
- Ability to make a more informed career decision and to be ahead of peers who do not have experience in the field
- Future contacts and references/networking opportunities
How to Apply and Prepare
- Visit WCU Career Services and obtain information about resumes, job searches, and interviewing
- Attend Career Services seminar on Resume Writing and schedule an appointment with Career Services for resume assistance
- Attend Interviewing Skills and Job Search Seminars
- Become involved in the appropriate student organizations
- Attend Career Fairs and Meet-the-Firms Night
- Once you accept an internship offer, with permission from your academic advisor register for the internship course to obtain three hours of elective credit. All students must keep a work log, submit a written report and make a short presentation to faculty and students about their work
