Sports management may be the ideal field for some individuals who have lived and breathed athletics their whole lives but that doesn’t mean that landing a position in the field will be easy. While it is often about who you know in many fields, generally what you know is what is going to get you a promotion or a new position. In the sports industry, your connections can play a major role in landing contracts with professional teams and colleges, but there are other avenues you can travel down.
Studying for a degree in sports management is a first step all potential managers should take to gain the knowledge of the industry that they need to know. Having a degree is also a qualification for most management roles in the field. Since it costs so much to attend school, it’s crucial that students know what the future job outlook for sports management is. If outlook is falling, it’s not always wise to invest time and money in education that can only be used in a specific line of work.
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National Outlook in Sports Management
It is difficult to pinpoint just how an industry is going to perform when you graduate and you’re ready to job seek. The last thing that you want to happen is to earn a degree specializing in a role that is eventually outsourced or eliminated because of technology.
Fortunately, with sports management, the position is always going to be around because computers and technology can’t replace the need for managers. Unfortunately, although there are positions in the United States, the demand for agents, managers and related workers in the field isn’t as high as enrollment in programs might suggest. As a whole, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that outlook for scouts and coaches will increase by 13 percent. Other related workers in the sports industry are projected to grow by 10 percent.
Factors Affecting Growth
The job outlook for sports managers may not sound bad compared to the 7 percent growth reported for all occupations, but that doesn’t mean that all graduates will enjoy plentiful opportunities. There are several different factors that could affect the outlook for jobs for recent graduates. Some of these factors include:
- Region – some areas of the United States have a higher concentration of jobs in sports management
- Education – level of educational attainment makes some applicants much more appealing than others
- Setting – there are many avenues including local recreation centers, colleges, and professional leagues where jobs are being posted
Too Many Graduates
Unless you have someone who can help you land an interview with a national league, there are often too many hopefuls and too few positions in the field. With so many different students enrolled in sports management programs, it appears as if the market is going strong and viewership is up. Unfortunately, according to The New York Times, undergraduate applicants will find that is its difficult job market where having a master’s degree is more important than ever.
While the outlook isn’t stagnant, it will be a challenge for sports managers to find new roles with large organizations. It’s wise for students to consider the competition on the market. They may be the best offer studying for an MBA or Master’s in Sports Management to make the most out of job outlook.
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