Careers: Combine sports with other interests

Want a career that puts you in close proximity to a beloved sport, but not as an athlete? Combine your passion for sports with a second area of interest or skill to find a great variety of intriguing career options.  Here is a start on some careers that match dual interests.

Sports plus working with youth

Youth coach
Tasks: Instruct, or coach groups or individuals in the fundamentals of sports. Demonstrate techniques and methods of participation. May evaluate athletes’ strengths and weaknesses, and help improve athletes’ technique to prepare them for competition.
Outlook: Jobs are expected to grow much faster than average
Education: Many formal positions require a Bachelor’s degree, though community positions typically just require knowledge of the sport

Recreation worker
Tasks: Conduct recreation activities with groups in public, private, or volunteer agencies or recreation facilities. Organize and promote activities, such as arts and crafts, sports, games, music, dramatics, social recreation, camping, and hobbies, taking into account the needs and interests of individual members.
Outlook: New job opportunities are likely in the future
Education: High school diploma or equivalent

Sports plus health care

Athletic trainer
Tasks: Evaluate and advise individuals to assist in recovery from or avoid athletic-related injuries or illnesses, or to maintain peak physical fitness. May provide first aid or emergency care
Outlook: New jobs are expected to grow much faster than average
Education: Most start with a 4-year Bachelor’s degree

Sports / fitness nutritionist
Tasks: Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease. May supervise a department that provides large-scale food service, counsel individuals, or conduct nutritional research.
Outlook: New jobs are expected to grow much faster than average
Education: Most start with a 4-year Bachelor’s degree

Sports plus business management

Ticketing operations / ticket sales manager
Tasks: Plan, direct, or coordinate the sales of sporting event tickets to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.
Outlook: New job growth is average compared to jobs in general
Education: Bachelor’s degree and at least a few years of related work experience

Sports events coordinator
Tasks: Coordinate activities of staff, team or event personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.
Outlook: New jobs are expected to grow much faster than average
Education: Bachelor’s degree

Sports plus equipment knowledge

Sporting equipment sales representative
Tasks: Sell sporting goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.
Outlook: Jobs are expected to grow much faster than average
Education: High school diploma or equivalent

Sports product designer
Tasks: Develop and design manufactured products, such as sports equipment and related products for different age groups. Combine design talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.
Outlook: New jobs are growing more slowly than jobs in general
Education: Bachelor’s degree

Recreation attendant
Tasks: Perform variety of attending duties at amusement or recreation facility. May schedule use of recreation facilities, maintain and provide equipment to participants of sporting events or recreational pursuits, or operate amusement concessions and rides.
Outlook: New jobs are growing at the average rate of all other jobs
Education: No formal education or work experience requirement

Sports plus communications

Sports writer/reporter
Tasks: Collect and analyze facts about newsworthy events by interview, investigation, or observation. Report and write stories for newspaper, website, news magazine, radio, or television.
Outlook: New jobs are growing more slowly than jobs in general
Education: Bachelor’s degree

Marketing research analysts and specialists
Tasks: Research market conditions in local, regional, or national areas, or gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or create a marketing campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution.
Outlook: Jobs are expected to grow much faster than average
Education: Bachelor’s degree

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