Meet Your Industry Advisor

Philip Wilkerson Sports and Recreation Industry Advisor
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
3 steps to get you started in sports and recreation
- 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
Skills needed for a career in sports and recreation
- 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
Degrees and certifications for working in this industry
Resources
Research, get experience, and get connected to contacts in sports and recreation
Industry Research
- American College of Sports Medicine
- United States Olympic Committee
- Special Olympics
- Mason's Division of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism
- Careers Paths
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
- National Athletic Trainers Association
- Mid-Atlantic Athletic Trainers Association
- Virginia Athletic Trainers Association
- North American Society for Sports Management
- National Institute for Fitness and Sports
- National Sports Marketing Network
- Women's Sports Foundation
- World Leisure Association Association
Job Functions
Athletes and Sports Competitors
Participate in organized, officiated sports events to entertain spectators
Umpires, referees, and other sports officials
Preside over competitive athletic or sporting events. They detect infractions and decide penalties according to the rules of the game
Coaches and scouts
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.
Recreation workers
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
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.
Conservation scientists and foresters
These professionals manage overall land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources.