Planning for the future can seem daunting, especially if you don’t have any jobs or internships lined up. When I graduated from school, not having a full-time job caused me to stress and lose confidence in myself. On top of that, I wasn’t 100% certain of what I wanted to do in life.
But after years of working hard, I can tell fellow athletes with confidence: you don’t need to have the perfect career plan all laid out after sports. Many people still don’t know what they want to do in their 20’s, 30’s or 40’s – yes it’s a thing! The key is to maximize all opportunities that come your way. As an athlete I had to make up for lost time, especially since I hadn’t secured steady work or internship experience during my playing days. Myfocus was to secure a job, acquire experience, build my network and get paid. If I could meet my basic needs in the short term, I would be able to seek out other job opportunities while figuring out what I wanted to do.
If you’re still in school, preparing for a life transition, or not sure what to do next, here are a few suggestions any athlete can take when setting up their next job opportunity.
Career Tips for Athletes Who Don’t Have a Job Yet
Build your Network. Building your network is a process that can take place long before you start looking for work. While you’re still in school, connect with professors and see if they keep in touch with any former students. It’s likely that alumni are seeking candidates at their alma mater. Before graduating, athletes should also connect with friends they lost touch with before going their separate ways. Find out what their post-grad plans are and see if they know of open job opportunities.
Networking can also take place by attending volunteer events. I’ve seen many professional connections take place when job seekers are volunteering for nonprofit organizations and at various community events.
Secure a Job. On paper this seems simple but let me tell you: finding a job can be a grind! Utilize your current network and keep applying to new roles every day. Ask for informational interviews at companies you’re interested in working for, and do the little things that help secure a job: submit cover letters, follow up with phone calls after you’ve applied to express your interest in a role and more. These little things make such a difference!
Acquire Experience. When starting new, athletes might have to work at different companies and try different roles when figuring out what they really want to do. With each job I’ve had, I was able to acquire different skills and gain experiences that I could carry into my next role. I’ve been lucky enough to learn valuable skills in sales, marketing, social media, fundraising, and more.
Get Paid. I’ve had many jobs that I didn’t enjoy, however, getting a regular paycheck gave me a huge piece of mind while allowing me to grow my finances. My first full time job in entertainment barely paid me $30,000. While I wanted to make 6 figures, this didn’t stop me from securing a role that would help me pay the bills. Additionally I was fortunate to receive benefits, company perks, and the mental space needed to figure out what I liked or didn’t like. This helped me pursue bigger and better opportunities.
I hope that all athletes know that you don’t have to have it all figured out, especially when you’re first starting out. Most importantly, don’t let pride get in the way of you taking a lower paying job. Many opportunities can help provide for your basic needs (food, rent, healthcare, etc.), and you can use that time to explore other interests and find your passion.