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Career Counseling: Exploration, Research, and Goal Setting

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Career Counseling: Exploration, Research, and Goal Setting

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Career Counseling (cuyamaca.edu)

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Fall 2023 Counseling Courses!! Open Sections!

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Fall 2023 Counseling Courses!! Open Sections!

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Katie Ledecky doing the IMPOSSIBLE 🤯 #shorts

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Maximilian Kieffer hit this incredible albatross on hole No. 11 at the 2022 BMW International Open. #Shorts► SUBSCRIBE: http://et.golf/Subscribe Welcome to t…

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The iconic Shaq vs. Da Bomb meme that will NEVER get old 💀

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Life after Sports - Staying Physically Active!

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Life after Sports - Staying Physically Active!

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The NCAA promotes a holistic approach to developing student-athletes during their college careers and beyond. Although there is increased public dialogue around the long-term health of college student-athletes, many athletic departments have yet to develop specific programs to address this issue. The current season of NBC's popular show, "The Biggest Loser," profiles former athletes who struggle to maintain their health and fitness after retiring from competitive sport. As a former NCAA student-athlete, I have a vested interest in how the transition to life after college sports impacts lifelong physical activity and other health behaviors. During the transition, many graduating student-athletes turn their attention to finding a job, pursuing graduate school, or starting a family, while simultaneously dealing with the emotional reality of no longer being a collegiate student-athlete. In my research, as well as through conversations with many former college student-athletes, I have found that maintaining a physically active lifestyle through this challenging transition is not easy, particularly when sport and exercise are no longer a central and structured part of daily life. In this article I will highlight physical inactivity-related concerns for student-athletes and discuss relevant research and strategies to help student-athletes prepare to maintain a healthy lifestyle..

Why is Physical Activity after College Important?

The physical and mental health benefits of regular physical activity (e.g., decreased risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, anxiety, depression; increased longevity, self-esteem, and quality life) are well-known and well-documented (See the US Department of Health and Human Services' Physical Activity Guidelines). Though student-athletes spend years building their fitness and health, becoming sedentary after college can quickly reverse the benefits gained from years of training. During their collegiate careers, student-athletes typically spend several hours per day in physical training or competition. Athletic activities are a structured part of a student-athlete's college experience, with schedules to accommodate practices and competitions. The benefits of physical activity participation depend upon student-athletes maintaining an active lifestyle throughout their lives. Maintaining physical activity is a challenge for many student-athletes as priorities are likely to change upon completing their collegiate career. Recent data from the University of Southern California's "Trojan Lifetime Champions" project shows that former student-athletes are no more active or healthier than non-athlete alumni. Data from the NCAASCORE (Study of College Outcomes and Recent Experiences) study shows that close to three-quarters of the former student-athletes surveyed report experiencing difficulty with retiring from competitive sport, and well over a third say that they only participate in vigorous exercise sometimes, seldom or never. My own research suggests that, as expected, most student-athletes become less active after college. More importantly, almost one in five are not active enough to gain substantial health benefits.

Motivating Student-Athletes to Stay Active

Identity and motivation are key factors influencing the physical activity behaviors of former college student-athletes. Both identity and motivation are impacted by the transition out of college sport. Many student-athletes have a strong athletic identity, and that identity may be threatened with the end of their collegiate sport career. At the same time, student-athletes are losing external motivators to be active, including scholarships, teammates, a structured program, and access to coaches and state of the art facilities. However, when physical activity is an integral part of a person's sense of identity, and when people are motivated by more self-determined reasons, they are more likely to participate in and maintain their physical activity.

Based on this identity and motivation framework, we are partnering with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro department of athletics to develop a physical activity transition program for senior student-athletes. The goals of the program are to:

1. Help student-athletes transition from a sport-specific identity (e.g., I am a basketball player) to a broader, active-based identity (e.g., I am a physically active person); and

2. Strengthen self-determined motivation for physical activity by enhancing competence in a wider range of activities, promoting choice of activities, and fostering a connection with peers through physical activity participation.

Through small group discussion activities, our program sessions provide information about physical activity benefits and guidelines, explore how identity may be impacted by the transition, encourage student-athletes to plan for their lifestyle transition, and provide strategies for setting effective goals and maintaining physical activity. Additionally, student-athletes are exposed to lifetime physical activities such as yoga, tai chi, light resistance training, and other recreational activities.

Recommendations for Collegiate Athletic Programs

In addition to offering workshops for student-athletes that focus on healthy lifestyle behaviors at the end of their college careers, coaches and athletics department staff can incorporate other helpful strategies for student-athletes throughout their collegiate experience. Coaches can work together with strength and conditioning coaches to provide cross-training opportunities in the off-season that enable student-athletes to expand their interest and skills. Coaches and athletics department staff can also support student-athletes in developing greater autonomy- or ownership- in their training. Providing multiple options for training that achieve the desired outcome but allow student-athletes some agency in making decisions is an important transferrable skill for life after college. When they complete their college sport careers, student-athletes will not have coaches telling them what to do or how to do it, so it is important for student-athletes to learn how to plan and choose activities for themselves. Adding this element of choice will foster more enjoyment and motivation for the activity by including student-athletes in the decision-making process.

Ultimately, maintaining physical activity across the lifespan is essential for everyone, and especially important for student-athletes transitioning out of college sports. Student-athletes may struggle with this transition and find it difficult to maintain their activity levels once they are no longer competing. Colleges and universities can fulfill their commitment to the holistic development of their student-athletes by implementing educational programming and incorporating specific strategies to promote lifelong physical activity among their student-athletes.

About Erin Refsteck, Ph.D.

Dr. Erin Reifsteck is a post-doctoral research fellow with the Institute to Promote Athlete Health and Wellness at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her doctoral degree is in Kinesiology, with a specialization in Sport and Exercise Psychology. She played field hockey at Saint Francis University, where she was a two-time CoSIDA Division I Academic All-American. Dr. Reifsteck's research focuses on promoting lifelong physical activity and health among athletes.

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Moving On: Staying Physically Active After College Sports

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Moving On: Staying Physically Active After College Sports

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One Former Athlete's Take on Life After College Sports

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One Former Athlete's Take on Life After College Sports

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Prim Siripipat, ESPN CommentatorApr 11, 2016, 02:30 PM ET

I miss the camaraderie of tennis. I miss the competition. I miss the butterflies before playing a match. I miss the adrenaline rush after a big victory, especially with the team. I even miss the agony of losing.

But what I don't miss is what came after that. It's something I call the pivot.

I started playing tennis when I was 7. By age 12, my family made a big sacrifice and split so I could pursue my dream of playing tennis, possibly even turning pro. My mom and I moved to Saddlebrook Tennis Academy in Florida, while my father stayed in Missouri to work, support the family, and take care of my older brother. I eventually earned a top-10 national ranking and a spot traveling with the U.S. national team. After graduation, I headed to Duke on a tennis scholarship.

My college experience was rewarding, but it was one of the most difficult periods of my life. I struggled to juggle the responsibilities of being a student athlete. The perfectionist in me was trying to keep up with my peers in the classroom and my teammates of our top-10 team.

As tough as college was, no one warned me about an even greater challenge ahead: saying goodbye to the sport I love and making that transition into the "real world." The mental and emotional toll of this transition was a shock to my system.

For the vast majority of student athletes, the pivot is inevitable. According to NCAA.org, out of all the students who play high school sports (roughly 7.4 million athletes), 2 percent will earn a college scholarship. Out of those (about 460,000 in the NCAA), fewer than 2 percent will go pro.

The other 98 percent are left to their own devices to figure out what is next, which can be a daunting reality for athletes who have spent their entire lives operating within a very regimented schedule dedicated to their sport.

UCLA Hall of Fame softball player and coach Sue Enquist, who is now a performance consultant for colleges and businesses, says making this transition into the real world is a mental challenge for everyone. She says it's imperative that athletes "really understand that you don't ever really have peace of mind when you go out in the workforce, and understand you're a work in progress.

"Be comfortable in being uncomfortable with that."

The road is different for everyone. Here's what I, and several other athletes, encountered while navigating it.

The pain of saying goodbye

For me, the most uncomfortable moment of this transitional period was retiring from the game. It was more painful than any defeat or injury. I experienced all kinds of emotions: sadness, anger, low self-esteem, guilt, confusion and loneliness. Those emotions lasted for years.

And the higher the level at which an athlete has competed, the harder it will be to leave the game.

"You're talking about an identity crisis," NFL vice president of player engagement and former Pro Bowl cornerback Troy Vincent told ESPN.com's Jeff Chadiha. "Every athlete has to face the same question when they're done: 'Who am I?'"

Shannon Miller, the most decorated gymnast in America, talked about the difficulty of life after sport. In an interview with Forbes, she said "I didn't know how to be a regular person. I initially watched a lot of TV, gaining four dress sizes on my 5-foot frame. It was very disheartening but it helped me realize I had to find my next passion in life."

Three months after graduating from Duke in 2003, I was working toward a new goal of becoming a sports anchor, but I was still struggling to cope with this loss in my life. It was like mourning a loved one.

While I was making $8 an hour as an intern at a TV station in Raleigh, North Carolina, answering phones and handing out scripts, many of my friends were still playing on the professional tour. I was happy for my peers, but watching them continue their athletic dreams was painful. Letting go of tennis and my identity as a star athlete was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do.

Achieving happiness after sports

I was left with two choices: I could wallow in the pain and continue to look back at the closed door, or I could take what I'd learned as an athlete, accept the challenge and fight to reinvent myself.

Once an athlete, always an athlete.

"Know that the magic isn't in the game, the magic is in you," says Sue Gordon, former Duke women's basketball player and current deputy director for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. "Everything that made you a success at your sport is what will make you a success in any endeavor if you call on it."

Research shows that student athletes, especially females, are well equipped to handle life's challenges:

* An EY/espnW survey of 400 female corporate executives discovered that 94 percent played a sport and nearly two-thirds (61 percent) attributed their athletic participation to their professional success.

* A U.S. Department of Education report said high school athletes are more likely than non-athletes to attend college and receive degrees.

*Former student-athletes are more likely to be thriving in a number of areas of their well-being compared to non student-athletes, including purpose, community and social well-being, according to Gallup.

"You are far more prepared to tackle the real world than you think you are," says Carey Goodman, former Duke women's soccer player and assistant director of athletics development at William & Mary. "You already have all of the skills to conquer the working world: time management, effective communication, work ethic, teamwork. Be confident in yourself. Follow your passion, even if it leads you down an unconventional path."

Although my days of competing were over, what I learned and developed as a player helped me move into the next phase of my life.

My advice

First, enjoy the ride. It goes by quickly.

Second, make the best of your college experience and try hard every single damn day, whether it's in class, practice or during competition. You've heard the saying "how you practice is how you will play." The same applies to your post-athletic life.

Third, figure out what you're most passionate about other than your sport. For some, this answer won't come easy so be prepared to put in the work and explore. Do you love people? Do you love numbers? Do you want to stay in sports? The adage is true: Once you discover your next passion, you'll never have to "work" another day in your life.

And trust yourself. This journey won't be easy, but everything you need to make that leap from college athletics is in you. Just because you can't see these skills doesn't mean they don't exist. Remember what it was like to have faith in yourself and your team when you were on the field or court? It's the same concept. You just have to trust that it's all there.
Prim Siripipat was a captain of her tennis team as a senior at Duke. She has been an ESPN anchor and host since 2011.

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Moving on: Retiring from college athletics

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Prim Siripipat was a highly ranked collegiate athlete, but her tennis career ended when she graduated. She talks about how to navigate "the pivot," the transition away from a life on the court.

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Counseling Courses: Career Decision Making, College & Career Success, Self-Awareness & Interpersonal Relationships

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Counseling Courses: Career Decision Making, College & Career Success, Self-Awareness & Interpersonal Relationships

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Consider taking a Counseling 110, 120 or 140 this Fall!

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Read Me First!! A Student-Athlete’s Guide: Competing to Get a Job

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Read Me First!! A Student-Athlete’s Guide: Competing to Get a Job

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By Amy Wimmer Schwarb

Looking for a job? Here's some help.

Download the entire " Competing to get a job" guide here.

The senior journalism major on line 70 has Julie Hammer's attention. The row containing this student's name is shaded yellow, the color of caution, on a spreadsheet where Hammer tracks the post-grad plans of all 492 young men and women on the sports rosters at Northwestern University. Hammer marks in red students who have a job. Gray, headed to grad school. Green is for those hoping to keep playing after college - in the NFL, training to make the Olympic fencing team, golf qualifying school.

These days Hammer, an assistant athletics director, is fretting over that journalism major, whose talent and heart seem to outsize the shrinking job market of the industry she wants to join. The woman found time, despite the practice and competition demands of her Division I soccer team, to spend the summer before graduation in Nicaragua, telling the stories of people seeking ocular care from a nonprofit there. She pursued another opportunity in Calcutta, India, where she helped launch a magazine.

"She's doing great, and she's done all the right things. But she still doesn't have a job," said Hammer, noting that she will continue working with the soccer-playing journalism major until she finds a professional direction or chooses another route. "Once an athlete, always an athlete. We need to figure out what's next for her."

Across the country, in athletics departments and campus career development offices, hundreds of administrators like Hammer work to equip students with the confidence and know-how they need to land their first jobs. For college athletes, that transition can require some additional insight. Sure, balancing coursework with training, practice and competitions requires high-level time management, and being part of a team means putting an organization's goals above your own. But how do you convince employers that your college sports experience helps build their team?

"You have to learn how to use your athletics experience," said Kellianne Milliner, assistant athletics director for compliance, academic and student services at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. "In an interview, learn to talk about how leadership played a role in being a captain - or, if you weren't a captain, how you work as a team."

In other words, Milliner notes, college athletes have career skills. They just have to sell them.

PRACTICE

Just like before a big game, hard work and preparation come before the win.

Work out early: Underclassmen should find extracurricular activities that double as professional development - such as campus professional and service learning organizations. Upperclassmen should explore leadership opportunities through the campus Student-Athlete Advisory Committee or other organizations, seek out job fairs and take a careers course.

Post up the job boards: The NCAA's Former Student-Athlete Career Center, lists job openings and allows you to post your resume for companies looking to hire student-athletes. Teamwork.com, workinsports.com and ncaamarket.ncaa.org/jobs all focus on positions in the world of athletics.

Be a leader: Each year, NCAA leadership development offers programs to help college students develop their future. The Career in Sports Forum brings 200 selected athletes together to help them chart a career in athletics. And the Student-Athlete Leadership Forum, which selects approximately 300 athletes each year, provides personal development while working with other athletes, coaches, faculty and administrators. Talk to whoever oversees student-athlete development or life skills programs on your campus or visit NCAA.org/leadershipdevelopment.

Play to your strengths: So you think your 3.0 GPA isn't as impressive as another student's 3.5? Try explaining that you earned it while balancing 15 credit hours of classes and serving as captain of the conference champion field hockey team.

RELY ON A TEAM

You had coaches and teammates to help improve your athletic skills. So use the coaches and teammates who can improve your career skills.

Listen to your coach: Large campuses are starting to hire career coaches specifically for athletics. Some, such as the University of Notre Dame, are integrating their campus alumni networks, too. On campuses that don't have athletics-specific programs, career centers help identify opportunities for networking, job shadowing and learning about different career paths.

Get LinkedIn: Creating a LinkedIn page is one of the first things career counselors suggest. Post a photo of yourself in business attire. In your summary, explain your accomplishments and strengths: Don't just say you developed communication skills, but say you learned to communicate effectively in a competitive environment by working with 11 teammates and coaches on a daily basis. Join groups related to your career goals.

SCORE THE INTERVIEW

Your campus has resources to make personal connections with professionals happy to help you out. Don't be surprised when networking turns out to be easier than it may seem.

Attack an opening: Go after opportunities just like you do during a game or a match. "I had a softball player, she was doing a photo shoot with ESPN, talking to the producer, letting him know what her major was. The producer said, 'We have an internship,'" said Jawauna Harding, an athletics career consultant at Oklahoma State.

Find a go-to player: You just need one name to get started. Look for professional connections through your campus alumni relations organization or athletics fundraising club. "It's shocking to see how willing people are to bend over backward to help you once you present yourself as someone who tries really hard and is interested," says Stephanie Felicetti, student-athlete career program director at Notre Dame.

Get the scouting report: People like talking about themselves and their success. Break the ice by asking how they got their jobs and moved up. What is a typical day like? What are the most interesting aspects of their jobs? Showing sincere interest makes a strong impression.

Make a statement: Speak in statements, not questions. For instance, don't ask new contacts if they know other people you can talk to. Instead, let them know that you would love to talk to others in the industry. "You give the person the option to provide you the information," Felicetti says. "It's less awkward."

Go to the replay: Send contacts a thank-you note and follow up every few months when you have something substantial to tell them. Send a short email with any updates, like a link to new work. Call or leave a voicemail whenever you need to convey your energy and attitude. And don't underestimate the power of a handwritten note - they're so rare these days that they can make you look like an MVP.
- Brian Hendrickson

The trick is to work on this well before graduation looms. It can be difficult to switch gears, but knowing the obstacles helps overcome them.

Athletics administrators who work with students on life skills cite two common issues college athletes encounter when faced with life after school. First, they have so many immediate goals while in school - maintaining good grades, meeting obligations to the team, preparing for a season and for championships - that looking further into the future can be daunting.

"They're focused on the right now," Milliner said. "They're always working on the next goal, but that goal might be getting to the playoffs and not preparing for beyond that. They go to class, they go to practice. Their lives are very structured."

Along the way, though, college athletes can work on articulating how those skills they are honing translate into the workforce. Kristina Navarro, an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, is working with the school's athletics director, Amy Edmonds, to develop a leadership academy for student-athletes that will help them identify their talents and learn how to articulate them.

"How do you put athletics on a resume when you're competing against students who have had three internships or clubs and activities?" Navarro said. "They have to be able to sell the things they've acquired through athletics. We want to be that intentional reminder for them. It's going to help them relate that experience to their professional future, whatever direction they're going."

A second common issue for athletes: establishing an identity outside of sports. "If you've been a gymnast since you were 4 years old, your social circle has always been your teammates, and your identity as an athlete has always been a big factor," said Penny Semaia, senior associate athletics director for student life at the University of Pittsburgh. "It can be a struggle to go through that transition."

For those who work closely with college athletes on developing career plans, overcoming that challenge means turning again and again to the same pieces of advice: The four years of college go fast. Start preparing for your post-sports career as a freshman. Seek opportunities along the way that will help sell you to employers. And don't hide your athletics experience; it helps you stand out from a field of applicants.

"As an athletics department, everybody needs to be preparing these students from the first time they're on campus," said Summer Hutcheson, assistant athletics director at Mount Holyoke College. "They have four years for college - that's the time to practice leadership skills, to have those difficult conversations about the future."

The students who make the transition look easy, Semaia said, are those who never lose sight of their post-college game plan. "The ones that have been very successful," Semaia said, "were able to compete at a high level and still maintain the focus of preparing for life beyond sport."

Semaia tells the story of a recent Pittsburgh graduate who played linebacker on the football team.

"The thing that really made him stand out was his vibrant, outgoing personality," Semaia said. "He was never afraid to put himself out there and be willing to try new things. I knew he had potential; he just needed to sharpen his skills and learn how to be this super-extroverted guy in the professional world."

Semaia took on the student as an intern in the athletics department, a position that led to an internship handling community outreach for the San Antonio Spurs NBA team. That opportunity led the former Division I college football player to figure out his career path, and today, he is a teacher at a public charter school.

"You're not creating a backup plan for after sports," Semaia said. "It's a rest-of-life plan for what happens after sports."

Hammer, the Northwestern assistant athletics director who heads the NU for Life program, understands the challenges inherent in moving from college athlete to professional. As a softball player at Syracuse, she was an Academic All-American; today, she is in the Syracuse University's Orange Plus Hall of Fame.

"Know your particular story. Understand your experience and the skills you're developing as a student-athlete, and be able to tell a compelling narrative of your story," Hammer said. "Talk about your determination, your resilience, your time management, your teamwork. Bring all of those things up in your conversation with an employer."

So you want to work with children? Share how you related to kids at the college volleyball camp where you coached last summer. Ever talk to media after a game? Then you have learned how to handle pressure, act professionally and represent yourself and your organization in a high-profile setting. Planning a career in business? That coach you admire has likely taught you about identifying a competitor's strengths and weaknesses.

You've learned those skills better than most. Now, apply them. Articulate them. Sell yourself.

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A Student-Athlete's Guide: Competing to Get a Job | An NCAA Champion Feature | NCAA.org

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Leaders on the field develop into leaders in their fields. Team captains can become captains of industry. Here, how to use the skills gained through athletics to launch the right career.

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TL;DR the First Post - Student Athlete Guide to Getting a Job

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TL;DR the First Post - Student Athlete Guide to Getting a Job

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Nearly half a million students compete as NCAA athletes, yet far fewer actually go on to professional sports after college. Some of these student athletes have goals unrelated to sports after they finish school while others do not get the opportunity to go pro. A 2018 study by the NCAA found that only about 3.5 percent of student athletes who played baseball, football, men's and women's basketball, and men's ice hockey and soccer went on to play professionally.

Even if professional sports aren't in the cards, student athletes have valuable skills that can lead to success in the workplace. A 2018 study by LinkedIn found that the largest skill gap in the American workforce is in the area of soft skills, such as interpersonal communication and teamwork. This may make former athletes more desirable in the workplace, thanks to their years of training in teamwork, coaching and even public speaking.

It can feel difficult for some student athletes to make the leap from this role - which many have held for most of their lives - to the workforce. Some may feel overwhelmed by long-term goals after spending so many years focused on immediate goals, while others may need time to establish their identities outside of sports. This guide can help student athletes overcome those hurdles and provides the tools and information needed to sell their skills to prospective employers and land jobs after graduation.

Setting Yourself Up for a Career

Like any big game or competition, finding a job requires effort and a solid game plan. Student athletes who go in with a plan for getting hired or establishing their careers see much better chances of success than those who haven't stopped to consider their goals and how to reach them. Below are suggested steps to help student athletes set themselves up for a career.

Figure out what you enjoy doing off the field Sports can feel all consuming when in season, but student athletes must also prioritize figuring out what to do after college. This may involve speaking with professors, researching potential careers based on the student's major, and meeting industry professionals to learn more about a particular role or company. Most students don't land their dream jobs directly out of college, so students shouldn't feel pressured to find a perfect fit right away. It's more important to find a role that aligns with their interests and will allow them to gain experience for future positions.

Utilize campus resources More than at any other time in their lives, student athletes have a wealth of free campus resources surrounding them that, if utilized, can greatly help with the job search and preparing for a career. In addition to speaking with professors about potential careers within their fields of study, student athletes should also thoroughly familiarize themselves with their campus career services. Career counselors can expose students to different occupations and industries, share self-assessment tests for aligning skills to job responsibilities, review resumes and cover letters, and set up mock interviews to assist learners in honing their skills.

Attend networking events "I believe student athletes should work to network with people in the fields they are interested in," says Dr. Cornell Augustus Sneed, assistant athletic director for student athlete enhancement and senior academic counselor for the men's basketball team at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. "They can meet these individuals in a number of settings and ways, including seminars, major and career mixers, through their peers, LinkedIn, mentorship programs, and alumni events." Many colleges and universities host job fairs and networking events with recruiters from companies throughout the academic year. Even if they are only in their sophomore or junior years, student athletes can attend these events and start making contacts in potential areas of professional interest.

Participate in extracurriculars that double as professional development Student athletes have the opportunity to participate in many exciting extracurricular activities as part of their commitment to their college teams. These students frequently volunteer in the community, offer summer camps for younger students hoping to compete at the college level, and participate in other team-building or community events. Rather than just seeing this as part of your commitments as an athlete, think of these opportunities as experience that can help boost your resume or serve as talking points during a job interview.

Make time for career development "Student athletes have very long days and hectic schedules, but it is imperative that they make time for activities outside the classroom and their sports," says Dr. Sneed. He emphasizes that even just giving up one hour to career development each week can add up. "Student athletes who devote one hour a week over four or five years can have more than 200 hours of shadowing or internship experience -- this is about the same number of hours for a semester-long internship, but the student athlete would have four to five years of experience to put on their resume rather than just one semester."

How Athletic Skills Translate to Career Skills

Student athletes possess many skills that employers value and that can give them a competitive advantage over non-athletes. But they first must learn how to sell these skills and articulate how their athletic experiences relate to the workplace. This section can help student athletes better understand how their athletic skills can apply to just about any profession.

Teamwork

Whether playing an individual or team sport, every student athlete understands the value of working together toward a greater goal. Finding employees who work well with diverse personalities and leadership styles can be difficult, but student athletes possess years of experience in this area. They also know how and when to be leaders and followers, depending on the task at hand.

Perserverance

Student athletes who make it to college level sports have more than likely received their fair share of disappointment over time. Whether not winning a big game or being rejected from a top college athletic program, those disappointments teach student athletes how to be resilient. This skill goes a long way in the workforce in general, but can be essential for certain roles or industries.

Ability to Learn From Failure Quickly

To become great athletes, students must learn early how to recognize mistakes, receive coaching, and learn from their losses. This ability to quickly bounce back from disappointment is highly valued in professional settings, as these types of employees can receive constructive criticism and run with it. They are also able to quickly adapt or course-correct when business needs call for it.

Motivation to Be the Best

Student athletes never settle for good -- they are always in search of greatness, an attitude most, if not all, employers want. This drive to keep learning, growing, and ultimately be the best of the best goes a long way in professional environments and can help create or further a company culture of innovation and excellence.

Time Management

It's no secret that student athletes juggle hectic schedules while in school. Conditioning sessions, classes, training, practice, tutoring, and study groups -- not to mention homework, meals, and socializing -- teach these busy individuals how to manage their time so they can accomplish all their required tasks each day. Knowing how to effectively set time boundaries is a great skill to have in a professional setting, and one that won't go unnoticed by supervisors.

Ability to not Take Things Personally

Student athletes receive a lot of tough criticism over the course of their sports careers, but the best recognize that it's not personal. Rather than getting upset over feedback, student athletes use this information to better themselves and their abilities. Being coachable and knowing how to take impersonal, professional criticism can be a tough skill to learn but student athletes already have it down.

Discipline

Being able to juggle a busy schedule, keep up with classes and practices, and still have time for friends requires a lot of discipline. Many new college graduates may not be in the habit of getting up early and maintaining a strict schedule, but student athletes excel at this. Moving directly from school into the workforce can be a difficult transition for graduates, but student athletes are already used to getting up early and maintaining a strict schedule to pursue their athletic goals.

Later in this guide, Dr. Sneed offers tips on how to sell these and other valuable skills when interviewing with potential employers.

Career Spotlight: 5 Jobs Student Athletes Should Consider

Former student athletes can use many of the skills gained during their time playing sports in professional settings. Below are five potential careers that can be excellent for student athletes and their skills.

1. Physical Therapist: As all athletes likely know, physical therapists, or PTs, help injured individuals recover from accidents, regain their abilities, and handle pain. They may also suggest preventive measures in order to help people avoid getting hurt again. Student athletes frequently see PTs to handle injuries sustained on the field or court, giving them unique insights into the importance of this role and typical responsibilities. This career, however, requires a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree so student athletes at the undergraduate level can start by gaining work experience as physical therapist assistants before enrolling in a professional degree program.

2. Fitness Trainer/Instructor: These individuals work with their clients to tone muscles, build strength and stamina, and regain strength after injuries. They may work one-on-one with clients or teach group exercise classes. A student athlete understands how the body moves and functions as well as the the motivation and dedication required to be physically fit, which makes them a great fit for helping others who want to get in shape.

3. Human Resources Specialist: HR specialists work within their companies to recruit, interview, hire, and train employees. They must be able to identify talent that fits the needs of an organization while balancing budgetary and other constraints. Former student athletes naturally fit into these roles, as they often work with their teammates to encourage the best from them and identify strengths and weaknesses in themselves and others.

4. Sales Manager: These professionals sell products and/or services created by their companies. They work with marketing teams to devise strategies before calling and/or meeting with potential clients. They often work at least partially on commission, making a can-do attitude crucial. During their time playing sports, student athletes face various challenges but must still be able to keep going and be a reliable teammate, which are qualities that can lead to a successful career in sales.

5. Athlete Agent/Business Manager: Agents help athletes with scouting teams, negotiating contracts, publicity and sponsorships, and creating opportunities for getting their names in the media. Even if a student athlete doesn't make it to the big leagues, this profession allows that athlete to continue to take part in many of the exciting aspects of professional sports.

6 Resume Writing Tips for Student Athletes

As mentioned before, student athletes have several skills that can lead to success in a variety of professions. However, to land one of those jobs students must be able to demonstrate how their sports-related skills translate to workplace settings. Below are six tips to help student athletes put together a strong and eye-catching resume:

1. Leverage your student athlete experience as relevant work experience. "When talking to many different employers over the course of my career, I learned companies love to hire student athletes," says Dr. Sneed. Employers recognize traits such as self-motivation, a competitive nature, the ability to multitask, familiarity with pressure, and a willingness to be coached. "Many of these traits are inherent to most student athletes, and companies love this because it allows them to focus more on business development," explains Dr. Sneed. Many athletes underestimate -- or don't recognize -- these skills so end up not highlighting them in their resumes, which is a big mistake. "These transferable skills need to be spelled out on your resume with concrete examples," says Sneed. "An example would be, 'Voted team captain during my senior year and led the team to an undefeated season that led to capturing a conference championship.'"

2. Talk to experts in your chosen field and have them look over your resume. "No one can better tell you how your resume should be formatted for a particular field than someone who is in said field," says Sneed. Students can sometimes feel shy about reaching out to accomplished individuals who hold what seem like dream jobs, but these individuals often want to help if they have the time. "Find a former student athlete in your field of interest," recommends Sneed. This provides an immediate shared connection for the student and can also lead to a positive networking experience.

3. Find time to obtain some work experience. "Although companies understand you are a student athlete, that still does not excuse you from trying to gain some relevant work experience while in college," Sneed says. Students who use their time wisely can build up meaningful experience, even if it's only gained a couple hours each week -- over a four-year degree program, that time adds up. "If you cannot find something off campus, look closer. I'm always proud of student athletes who work in the athletic department, between classes, and at other teams' sporting events to earn some work experience," he says.

4. Do not overlook any experience you might have had as a student athlete. Far too many student athletes don't know how to properly translate and leverage activities they took part in or skills they gained as a result of their involvement in sports. "For example, if you like working with children but don't think you have any relevant experience, think again," says Sneed. "On your resume, you can talk about your experience working with children during your countless service projects and/or when your team hosted youth camps or clinics." It may not always be obvious, but oftentimes a connection can be made. Carefully assess prior experiences for skills that might relate to your desired career or work setting.

5. Research and tailor your resume to individual employers. "When crafting a resume, it's important student athletes use similar language as the employer," reminds Sneed. "If the job description states a need for someone with strong leadership and communication skills, student athletes should make sure these words are used multiple times in their resumes, with clear examples to back it all up," says Sneed. Because employers frequently receive many resumes, they now use software that searches documents for specific keywords in order to narrow applicant pools. Tailoring your resume can help ensure you show up in the searches.

6. Neutralize any stereotypes. Unfortunately, some hiring managers may incorrectly assume that student athletes devote more of their time to playing sports than studying and earning good grades. To combat these misconceptions, find ways to make your academic accomplishments shine. For example, if you earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher, make sure that's easily noticeable on your resume. Or if you made it on the Dean's List, make sure that accomplishment stands out, as well as any other awards achieved. Lastly, make sure there are zero typos and grammatical errors, as these could reinforce stereotypes.

6 Interview Tips for Student Athletes

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Guide to Job Hunting as a Student Athlete: Expert Tips and Resources

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Nearly half a million students compete as NCAA athletes, yet far fewer actually go on to professional sports after college. Some of these student athletes have goals unrelated to sports after they finish school while others do not get the opportunity to go pro.

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Careers in Sports after Sports and for Non-Athletes 

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Careers in Sports after Sports and for Non-Athletes 

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Contrary to the popular belief, you can build a successful career in the sports industry even if you are not an athlete or a person who has certain athletic experience. You can always show your support for the sports industry by offering certain physical assistance or professional mental help, which is vital for those who are competing and facing both victories and the times when things are not going the right way. Then we always have the field of sports marketing, design, advertisement, coaching, and the sales aspect that deals with the sports equipment, tournaments, various advertisement challenges, and more. Let us not forget about such amazing sports career opportunities as being a radio or TV host, sports writer, or journalist dealing with the promotion of sports. The opportunities are virtually endless, which makes it important to explore your chances and build a successful career!

Types of Sports Careers to Consider

Here are some options that will fit various fields of education, which means that if you study healthcare, psychology, or nutrition, you can use it as the professional background to succeed in sports:

Fitness Management / Coordination Careers

It may include the responsibilities of the fitness program coordinator, fitness director, or therapeutic recreation director positions among others. If you choose to earn a Master's or Bachelor's degree as the Fitness Program Coordinator, your median salary will be around $45,682 but may be higher if you consider private fitness centers, business outlets, or hotels. The Fitness Director may earn between $24,874 and $65,305 and your duties may revolve around YMCA, colleges, and hotels. Finally, a therapeutic recreation director may consider earning up to $68,305, but it will include assisted work at the living environments, nursing homes, health recovery centers, and hospitals.

Sports & Fitness Coordinator may earn the median of $37,099 or higher even working at the various NGOs or YMCA branches. Finally, if you do not mind corporate hospitals or private practices, consider the career of the wellness manager with a median salary of $55,525.

Professional Coaching

You can consider high school coaching, which will require a bachelor's degree and a teaching license. You will also have to pass a background check and drug tests. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, your annual wage will start at $33,570.

Now if your educational background is in Athletic Coaching or Sports Science, you can think about the career of a college sports coach. It is one of the most prestigious and high-paid jobs with the average salary being $53,670. The reported salaries of NCAA football coaches usually start from $225,000. Of course, professional top coaches (non-college) may earn up to $8 million a year as many of you might already know!

General Sports Management

In simple terms, it deals with all the business and marketing challenges. The responsibilities include handling various negotiations, advertisements, contracts, legal issues, and trade deals. The GMs often act as the scouts at colleges by seeking talented players. One must have a passion for sport and be strong-willed. The average salary will start at $112,200, yet it will always change depending on the sport and your duties.

Sports Journalism

It will include the roles of sports announcer and/or commentator with the work on live radio or TV. You can also host a sports show online, which is also a good option. Do not forget about the possibility of becoming a sportswriter or a sports blogger, which might be more applicable for the younger generation. If you want to get serious about sports journalism, think about starting as the Assignment Editor or Associate Producer for sports programs or news reports.

The Field of Sports Marketing

It may include the role of being an Account Coordinator, Event Coordinator, or Public Relations Assistant, which will work both in the PR department or while you are being employed at some college. If you are good with finances or have an economical academic background, think about the Inside Sales Department Representative's job.

Sports Medicine

As the title implies, it may deal with various healthcare-related positions and requires getting the Board Certification in Sports Medicine. Some positions to consider: Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, Athletic Trainer, Exercise Physiologist, or Kinesiotherapist. Of course, you can always work as a sports nurse (Sports Medicine Nurse). At the same time, do not forget about high chances to get employed as a Sports Physical Therapist or Sports Nutritionist.

Sports Psychology

If you do not mind combining Psychology, Science, and Sports, consider the career of the Academic Sports Psychologist (schools and colleges), Clinical Sports Psychologist (dealing with mental illnesses), or Applied Sports Psychologist (teaching the athletes).

Women In Sports Careers

It is high time to break down the stereotypes and prejudice regarding women in sports. As a matter of fact, many things have changed after the TITLE IX law that has been issued in 1972. At last, women could pursue many careers in sports that they would not be able to think of before. This law states that " no person in the United States shall, based on sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance ". Here are five of the most popular sports careers considered by females:

Athletic Trainer

This position stands for preventative services, emergency care, clinical work, and various types of rehabilitation of athletes and sports teams. Joining a college or university in the United States, you can earn up to $46,860 or higher, depending on your education and sport chosen. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job trainers will receive more opportunities in the 2021-2022 period.

College Athletics Director

Your task here is to oversee the work of college coaches and staff in various athletic activities. You will have to provide a graduate degree and have strong business management and leadership background. According to the Payscale Salary website, the median salary in this sector is quite competitive at $105,320.

College Coach

One of the most popular positions, which will fit every aspiring female who would like to study coaching and focus on being an assistant for the head coach even. Currently, the majority of college coaches nationwide earn between $25,000 and $2 million if the team competes in one of the college or national championships.

Sportswriter / Broadcast Journalist

Do not forget about various opportunities related to sports media, various leagues, and becoming an online video or text blogger. It is one of the most high-earning sports positions where you can show creativity and strive for standing out. Moreover, it is also a great chance to earn an internship, which we shall discuss in a bit.

Sports Executive

It must be said right away that salaries in this particular field start from $20,000 and up to $1 million in major league sports. It includes the PR sector, advertising, broadcasting duties, sales, accounting, and management, which is something to consider if you are confident and have great management skills.

Why Sports Internships Must Be Considered?

The best way for non-athletes to start a career in the field of sports can be achieved with the help of a successful internship. Remember that even before you start seeking some opportunities, the majority of sports careers already include certain internship programs that are cleverly integrated as part of a curriculum. As you hold on to your internship experience, you also get the chance to learn valuable skills that will help you with finding the right jobs in the sports industry. Most importantly, earning an internship is your chance to connect with the professionals in the relevant field, talk to athletes, coaches, and secure a solid position in the industry by showing your knowledge and skills.

As you are looking for internships for non-athletes, consider:

Have a great plan! Although many people believe that writing a résumé letter will work wonders, it is not the best way when dealing with the sports industry. You should look into various organizations that provide internship opportunities or talk directly to the people in your chosen sector. Consider sports agents, coaches, even players.

Know how to advertise yourself! It is a competitive field, which is why you should always stand out and know how to sell your skills in a certain way. Add some extras, provide examples of your work and be the one who does things differently and knows how to be positive and think outside the box.

Start networking! Turn to social media for help, try to establish some contacts that may be helpful, ask around, and attend the sports events. You never know what might work for you! Do not put things off and start applying early!

While each sport will have some specific rules, you can consider:

Make sure to check the opportunities for your specific program as well!

The List of Useful Sports Resources

Here are some resources to consider for your career in sport:

1. Sports Marketing Association. It provides valuable data for sports practitioners, academics, researchers, athletes, and students wishing to connect their lives with sports marketing.

2. The Society of Health and Physical Educators. While it is mostly school-based, it has great professional development programs, resources, and scholarships.

3. NFL Internship Program. Consider it for those high-paid jobs in the industry and the network-building chances.

4. National Collegiate Athletic Association. It is dedicated to student-athletes in Division I, II, and III and has enough information to help you get started.

5. National Athletic Trainers' Association. Also known as NATA, it provides information for the future and current athletic trainers. It also has a great Career Finder Center.

6. Association for Women in Sports Media. It is an amazing international organization worth checking for female athletic careers and non-athlete jobs as well.

7. Association for Applied Sport Psychology. It offers certification opportunities and has good resources on health psychology.

8. American Sports Medicine Institute. Consider this NGO for information and fellowship opportunities to boost your career chances.

9. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Learn more about this world's largest organization and see professional development and career toolbox sections.

10. American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. It covers over 2,700 sports medicine specialists working in the field of education, advocacy, research, and care.

Most importantly, remember about networking and being unique! Dare to ask questions, attend sports events, get certified, and make your skills stand out. Сollege essay writing service can be used to win some time to use for your training and future career. Doing so will guarantee you a great start to your non-athletic sports career!

Written by Aaron Mayer

As a journalist with a focus on Law and Politics, Aaron never misses a chance to share his knowledge and thoughts with the rest of the world.

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Guide to Sports Careers for Non-Athletes

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Contrary to the popular belief, you can build a successful career in the sports industry even if you are not an athlete or a person who has certain athletic experience. You can always show your sup...

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Guide to Writing a Resume - Student Athlete Edition

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Guide to Writing a Resume - Student Athlete Edition

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Student-Athlete Resume Sample (And How To Write One)

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Student-Athlete Resume Sample (And How To Write One)