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We all appreciate that there are many who want to combine their passion for sport and their future career. This means lots of competition as everyone aims to get the start they need to plan and build their future career in the sports industry. Being proactive, positive and resilient will be essential as you aim to get those all important experiences that will enable to you build your profile, get that foot in the door and gain the knowledge to enable you to meaningfully build your sporting career journey.
Gaining experience is the critical component to starting your career journey in sport. Experiences can be gained in many shapes and forms, and you should start as young as possible to build your ‘experiences’. They will help you develop valuable skills, knowledge and confidence while growing your network and exploring about different career paths and opportunities in sport.
The sports industry (and therefore your potential future employers) values passion, dedication, and hands-on experience, so don’t hesitate to get involved and start building your career foundation today.
Volunteering is one of the most accessible ways to gain experience, whatever your age or current areas of interest and expertise – just get out there and get involved, it could unlock doors and opportunities you never dreamed of! You can try volunteering for:
Shadowing is a simple yet valuable way to explore different roles within the sports industry. Reach out to your connections or friends, family and teachers if they know people who would be open to having you shadow them for a couple of weeks. Once that has been set up, it also opens up the door to growing your network and building relationships with professionals which you can then leverage in the future. Given you don’t need prior experience for shadowing is a great to start building your experience and growing your CV and may even lead to something more formal should you impress!
Internships are a more formal way to gain work experience and are a great way to get some short term professional exposure. They are very competitive, so gaining experience form 1 or 2 first will strengthen your resume and chances. Internships offer a structured way to gain hands-on experience and are an excellent for anyone ready to start their career in sport. They provide a chance to work directly with industry professionals and organisations, learn essential skills, and understand the day-to-day operations of the sports business. Plus, internships can often lead to full-time roles, making them a great stepping stone for building a strong career foundation.
Another great way to gain experience is to start your own project—whether it’s a blog, a small business, or a creative initiative. Don’t worry about making it perfect or highly professional; what matters is showing your passion and creativity. Employers love to see candidates who take initiative, and having a personal project to showcase can be just as valuable as formal work experience. Pick a sector or sport that excites you and use this as a platform to develop your expertise. It demonstrates your drive, maturity and can manage your own workload effectively.
Be a sponge at this early Point, taking as much as you can in terms of talking to people learning. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, because that's the best thing you can do to actually learn. Get things mistaken, get things wrong—it's a good thing. If you don’t do something, you’re not going to learn. You only learn by doing things.
Patricia Lopez Miguel, SPORTFIVE
Pursuing formal education can be a smart next step if you have a clear vision of your career path. It allows you to deepen your knowledge, expand your professional network, and often includes industry placements that offer valuable hands-on experience. You can explore a wide range of courses at top sports industry universities through Global Sports Early Careers—your gateway to finding the right program to kickstart your journey.
Building your professional network is important at any juncture of your sporting career - connections open doors and uncover hidden opportunities and will be an essential element of your career success. Strengthening your LinkedIn profile is also crucial; it helps you connect with industry professionals, follow sports leaders, join relevant groups, and engage with content that showcases your interests.
Entering the sports industry is an exciting journey filled with opportunities to turn your passion into a meaningful career. The early stages are all about gaining valuable experiences and building a strong foundation, whether it’s through volunteering, internships, shadowing, or creating your own projects. Remember, employers in the sports industry highly value hands-on experience, creativity, and initiative. By staying proactive, building your network, and taking advantage of every opportunity, you can stand out from the competition and make significant strides in your career.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your sporting career, explore the resources available through Global Sports Performance Zone and a wide range of education programs at top sports universities here. Start today, build your experiences, and lay the groundwork for a successful career in the sports industry.
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