Sports and Recreation

Those who work in the sports and recreation industry provide services and activities for people to engage in during their leisure time. Professions include coaches, referees, managers, administrators, recreation workers, athletes, and athletic trainers.

Just like traditional business settings, sports organizations, rec centers, and park authorities also require a host of administrative and support roles. These can include human resources workers, accountants, advertising and public relations representatives, marketers, and professional scouts to name a few.

How to Get Started

Get involved with student organizations on campus such as the Sport Management Society or Rho Phi Lambda - Alpha Tau Chapter.
Get a summer internship or job that helps you to work part time or full time in the sports arena. One position to look for is a job in ticket sales. Many jobs prefer that you have some experience supporting a sports team through selling.
Choose the area of sports management or recreation you would like to pursue. Possible areas include sports marketing, sales, events, public relations, sponsorships, or sports and recreation.

Skills

Activity-specific knowledge and skills for various sports
Instructing/teaching
Calm and personable under pressure
Judgment and decision making
Critical thinking
Physical dexterity (practitioners)
Customer service orientation
Communications (written and verbal)
Active listening
Collaboration and team skills
Interpersonal skills with all levels of management
General and Operations Management
Public relations
Program and event planning
Time management

Degrees and Certifications

Resources

Industry Research

Experiential Learning

The Edge
Work part time or intern in a sports and recreation environment such as parks, sports teams, coaching rec sports, camps/counselor, and Rec-PAC.
Get involved with a student organization affiliated with sports and recreation.

Job Search

TeamWorkOnline
Sports Jobs
Handshake: Conduct an advanced search by industry (Sports and Recreation)
iHireSportsandRecreation

Professional Associations

Job Functions

Participate in organized, officiated sports events to entertain spectators

Preside over competitive athletic or sporting events. They detect infractions and decide penalties according to the rules of the game

Coaches teach amateur and professional athletes the skills they need to succeed at their sport. Scouts look for new players, evaluating athlete's strengths and weaknesses as possible recruits. Many coaches also scout out new talent.

Professionals design and lead leisure activities for groups in volunteer agencies or recreation facilities, such as playgrounds, parks, camps, and senior centers. They may lead activities in areas such as arts and crafts, sports, games, music, and camping.

Recreational therapists plan, direct, and coordinate recreation programs for people with disabilities or illnesses. They use a variety of techniques, including arts and crafts, drama, music, dance, sports, games, and field trips. These programs help maintain or improve a client's physical and emotional well-being.

These professionals manage overall land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources.