Pursuing a professional athletic career can be rewarding, challenging, and lucrative. For those lucky enough to play sports as a profession, it's often a short-lived career due to injury or aging that limits competitiveness.
For those wishing to pursue a career in sports management, coaching, teaching, athletic training, or exercise psychology, it’s important to realize that the sports industry is increasingly difficult to break into (and being a sports fanatic is not enough to land a job). Employers in the sports industry want candidates with a mix of education and practical experience.
So what are some careers for ex athletes to consider? Let's take a look at some of the graduate programs that WVU's College of Applied Human Sciences offers to prepare you for a variety of career options.
Former Athletes: Go Pro in an Athletic-Related Field
Even if you've been an athlete for several years following your undergraduate career, you may be realizing that might not be enough to live comfortably for the rest of your life. You'd like to stay active in sports but know that playing is no longer an option. So what do you do? Perhaps a career in an athletic-related field is an opportunity to blend your passion with a profession as a former athlete?
Here are some options to consider:
- Sales Representative
- Athletic Director
- Marketing and Promotions Coordinator
- Sports Writer
- Sports Information Directors
- Executive Recruiter
- Fitness Director
- Project Manager
- Sports Photographer
- Recreation Worker
- Teacher
- Sportscaster
- Sporting Event Planner
- Sports Psychologist
- Referee
- Coach
- Statistician
- Operations Manager
- Television Sports Producer
- Financial Analyst
- Physical Therapist
(Sources include jobmonkey.com, thebestschools.org, and profitableventure.com.)
Many people who find themselves in this position want to stay in the sports industry but don’t have the professional work experience or education to get a job doing what they love. Getting a graduate degree in one of WVU’s programs could accelerate your career and propel you into a position to stay in sports and showcase all of the knowledge you gained by actually playing a sport for a majority of your life.
WVU Offers 2 Fields of Study That Can Lead to Careers for Ex Athletes
At WVU, students not only learn from top-notch professors who combine theory and practical applications, but they also have numerous opportunities to participate in meaningful, real-life situations. This hands-on experience will help differentiate students from others seeking to find a position in companies that hire former athletes.
Coaching and Teaching Studies:
- Athletic Coaching Education
- Earn professional certifications
- Complete coaching education
- Learn key software for analyzing sports movement
- Physical Education Teacher Education
- Learn to teach outdoor adventure
- Gain hands-on teaching with students with disabilities
- 100 percent passage rate on the Physical Education Content Specialization test
Sport Sciences:
- Athletic Training
- Work with 18 different NCAA teams at WVU
- Accredited through Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
- Sport and Exercise Psychology
- One of the few in the nation that allows students to specialize in sport and exercise psychology
- Can be used to meet requirements of the university’s general education program
- Sport Management
- Hands-on experience with WVU athletic department
- Mandatory but flexible internship program
Gain Perspectives from Retired Athletes Who've Worked in Sports
These programs are taught by professionals who have experience in the specific field of study and give insight into the industry, which provides a much more well-rounded learning experience for the student. Each professor has a unique background and brings a different perspective to the classroom that allows students to get a complete understanding of the industry. Also, these programs are designed to provide students with hands-on opportunities outside the classroom so they can grasp the day-to-day details of a particular job.
A Graduate Degree Gives You an Edge When You Pursue Jobs in the Sports Industry
Whether you want to become a coach, physical education teacher, or sports psychologist, with a WVU graduate degree, you'll have the freedom to enter the industry how and when you want.
For example, here are two students who decided to pursue an advanced degree at WVU – and here's where they are now:
Zach G. – Co-Founded drinkhydrate.com (Athletic Coaching Education)
Pete P. – Baseball Operations Coordinator for the Houston Astros (Sport Management)
The Best Careers for Athletes Begin With a Degree from WVU
WVU’s College of Applied Human Sciences offers top-notch, cutting-edge academic options that develop students' skills through education and hands-on experience. Our professors and staff who work with these students have been in the industry for many years and know what skills are essential to be a valuable member in the sports industry.
We know that choosing a graduate school can be stressful. But whether you're a recent college graduate or a mid-career professional thinking about making a career change, our team is always available to help. Have questions?
Request more information today!
Check out our digital resource — Make the Change: A Comprehensive Guide to Graduate Programs for Career Changers — and let us help you as you navigate the process of changing career fields!
