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What Are the Different Types of Sport Career Opportunities?

Tara Barnett
Tara Barnett

Sport career opportunities are highly varied, as this wide topic involves many different types of professionals. Not only are there people involved in playing and coaching sports, but there are also many companies devoted to sports injuries, sports reporting, and even sports statistics. Analysis of sports provides many different types of sport career opportunities, and these careers can be perfect for people who are not suited to playing sports or being physically involved in these activities. Sports technology can also provide many interesting sport career opportunities for properly motivated individuals with experience in engineering or other related fields. There are many different types of sport careers fitting almost any skill set.

The different types of sport career opportunities dealing directly with sports include many different positions that involve working with athletes. Coaches, physical therapists, and other professionals who help sports players do their jobs can all be considered sport workers. These career opportunities may deal with sports at any level, from intramural players to the professional leagues.

Engineers and craftsmen might find employment with companies that make sports equipment.
Engineers and craftsmen might find employment with companies that make sports equipment.

Sports analysis is another important type of career in sports, and this type of job can be approached many different ways. For example, statistics is often used to analyze sports, but it is also possible to look at sports from an anthropological perspective. Historical analysis of sports can also provide career opportunities, but people who work on these projects must often start out as freelance writers.

Physical therapists who work with athletes are considered sports workers.
Physical therapists who work with athletes are considered sports workers.

Other sport career opportunities might include advertising, broadcasting, and retail opportunities. Each of these categories has many component positions within each company, each of which performs a slightly different job relating to sports. Additional career opportunities on the recreational level can be found through parks and camps, many of which have sports programs that must be managed. Schools may employ individuals to teach a number of different sports rather than focus on a single activity, which can be a great career opportunity for a person who loves physical activities in general rather than a particular sport.

Sport workers may organize different exercise programs for community members.
Sport workers may organize different exercise programs for community members.

Many sport career opportunities do not involve sports directly but rather focus on supporting others in this industry. For example, there are many sport marketing careers, and many employees work in sport marketing offices without any experience either in marketing or sports. These positions, which include secretaries, assistants, and other office workers, can sometimes provide a way to get into this industry. On the other hand, these jobs do not necessarily have much to do with sports and might therefore not be called sport career opportunities.

Discussion Comments

Talentryto

@rundocuri- You make a very important point. I think that too many young athletes believe that they will eventually play professional sports, just to be disappointed when they find out how difficult it is to achieve this goal.

I think that school career counselors can help these students find more realistic sports careers. Parents should encourage their children to talk about their love of sports when consulting with counselors about future college plans. This will help to put students on paths that will satisfy their love of sports while also being achievable.

Rundocuri

I think that this is a very informative article that could be beneficial to young athletes who dream about some day playing for professional sports teams. We all know that few people are able to do this, so it is important to help young people understand that and prepare for more likely career paths.

For young students who love sports, any one of the careers mentioned in this article would be a rewarding choice. By focusing on strong points like writing or working with others, young sports enthusiasts should be able to combine their skills with their love of sports to develop rewarding careers.

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    • Engineers and craftsmen might find employment with companies that make sports equipment.
      By: Michael Flippo
      Engineers and craftsmen might find employment with companies that make sports equipment.
    • Physical therapists who work with athletes are considered sports workers.
      By: Monkey Business
      Physical therapists who work with athletes are considered sports workers.
    • Sport workers may organize different exercise programs for community members.
      By: espion
      Sport workers may organize different exercise programs for community members.
    • Tennis players often become tennis coaches at the high school or college level after they retire from active competition.
      By: Igor Mojzes
      Tennis players often become tennis coaches at the high school or college level after they retire from active competition.
    • Many people interested in sports focus on a career as a professional athlete.
      By: guerrieroale
      Many people interested in sports focus on a career as a professional athlete.
    • Physical therapists can help injured athletes grow accustomed to different aides, including crutches.
      By: Alison Bowden
      Physical therapists can help injured athletes grow accustomed to different aides, including crutches.