The population of the US as per the latest census reaches the value of 313, 900,000. Also 0.00525% of this constitutes the number of sports persons in the population. That is a mere 16,500. This may look meagre and a career in managing the small population might not sound lucrative.
But here are the facts that tell you otherwise. Let's take a look at the figures of the revenue generated from various industries in the US. The hospitality industry earns - $400billion, automobile industry-$220billion, education - a low 50billion and the real-estate-$310 billion. Let's compare these to that derived from the sports industry which is a huge amount between $430 - 470 billion! Even lawyers, business graduates and communications graduates compete to get in to this career. This could explain the reason behind the demand to get admission in the numerous sports management colleges scattered over the country.
How can one equip himself/ herself to achieve a rewarding career in such a thriving industry? How do you stand out apart from all those wanting the same?
A degree in sports management particularly an advanced one, could open the doors for you towards a wonderful and satisfying career in a thriving field. It helps the student get an insight into the working of sports business and gives an understanding that it involves much more than cheering for one's team in the field.
What does such a career entail? Marketing, sales, philanthropy, graphic design to name a few that would not demand one to sweat and toil in the sports ground to earn a living. Many pursuers have this misplaced notion that a degree in sports management would fetch them the job of the team manager. Nothing could be farther from the truth. A graduate can go for majoring in any of the following avenues like public relations, analytics, sales, management, consulting, social media, or business development as the course focuses on all these subjects. There is also a period of internship during the course of advanced sports management which provides the student with an opportunity to experience and develop skills in analytics. Here the student is given opportunity to work in close coordination with a professional team.
It is important to have a goal that is realistic in any career but particularly in sports management. Most of the management students end up changing their goals after getting exposure to each new sector in sports management. While choosing the goal it is also important to choose one where the job opportunities are more like the sales. A fear of failure and a negative way of projection of the jobs and also the demands it will make on time and mind might discourage one from pursuing this particular area.
On a note of conclusion, for a lover of sports wanting a career in the industry, a degree in advanced sports management throws open the door to a wide range of opportunities that promise a satisfying and rewarding career that makes one feel proud about self, a career that one visualises in dreams…