Lakeland College

Fitness and Sport Studies Career Areas

What can I do with this degree?

AREAS	EMPLOYERS	STRATEGIES
SPORT MANAGEMENT Athlete Representation Public Relations Sales Marketing Publicity Promotions Operations Event Coordination Program Coordination Fund Raising University Athletics Administration	Professional teams Professional athletes Sport associations (e.g., NBA, PGA, NCAA) Local sport and tourism corporations Arenas Auditoriums Stadiums Colleges and universities Health clubs Sport facilities	Major in sport management or sport administration. Earn a master's degree for increased opportunities. Develop outstanding communication skills, written and oral. Take courses in marketing, public relations, and advertising. Pursue a degree in law to aid in negotiating contracts. Obtain accounting or business skills and experience. Gain experience with public speaking and sales. Volunteer to do publicity for campus organizations or local nonprofit groups. Volunteer to coordinate athletic programs and events such as marathons, golf tournaments, or special olympics for campus organizations or local nonprofit groups. Write articles or columns for campus or local newspapers. Join sport-oriented associations and organizations. Obtain an internship or part-time job with a team or other athletic organization. Work with minor league or local teams as a way to enter the field and gain experience. Be willing to work in any capacity to get started.
SPORTING GOODS Store Management Brand/Product Representation Product Development Product Distribution Marketing	Sporting goods manufacturers Sporting goods stores Exercise equipment manufacturers	Major in business, marketing, sport management, or related field. Obtain a part-time job or internship in the area of wholesaling or retailing. Develop excellent communication skills. Build relationships with coaches, athletic directors, and college equiptment/uniform representatives. Volunteer as a team equiptment manager.
SPORT COMMUNICATIONS Journalism Broadcasting Photojournalism	Newspapers Magazines Television stations Radio stations Sport-related internet sites	Major in journalism, broadcasting, English, or public relations. Supplement program with courses in sport management. Obtain an internship or part-time job with local or university newspaper or radio/television station. Publish as much as possible in college and local newspapers. Create a portfolio of published work, both articles and photographs. Develop excellent public speaking and writing skills. Participate in organizations such as Toastmasters.
EXERCISE SCIENCE Research Teaching Assessment and Evaluation Program Development Athletic Training Personal Training Rehabilitation Strength and Conditioning Health Club Management Group Fitness Instruction	Colleges and universities Public and private schools Sport medicine centers Hospitals and rehabilitation clinics Health clubs and fitness centers Professional teams Corporate health centers Professional fitness organizations, such as: American College of Sports Medicine National Strength and Conditioning Association Olympic training centers Competative youth training centers Nutritional supplement manufacturers	Major in exercise science, exercise physiology, kinesiology, or sports medicine. Supplement curriculum with nutrition and hard science courses. Consider professional or graduate school in physical therapy, athletic training, or medicine. Obtain necessary certification such as Certified Group Fitness Instructor, Certified Personal Trainer, or National Athletic Trainer Certification. Develop computer skills and familiarity with technology used in the field. Work in a physical therapy clinic, health club, or gym to gain experience and make contacts. Volunteer to work with college or high school sport teams. Volunteer to run exercise programs for local, nonprofit organizations. Consider working with manufacturers of exercise equipment or nutritional supplements to learn more about the field and to make contacts. Develop excellent interpersonal skills for working with clients, coaches, and team physicians. Maintain excellent personal fitness and athletic proficiency. Obtain certifications from the American College of Sports Medicine or the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
COACHING Professional Coaching High School Coaching College Coaching Private Coaching	Professional sport teams Colleges and universities High schools and middle schools Recreational organizations or leagues (e.g., YMCA) Country clubs Racket clubs Golf and tennis resorts Cruise Lines City parks and recreation departments	Consider majoring in exercise science, sport management Obtain teacher licensure for high school and middle school coaching opportunities. Gain extensive, advanced playing experience. Maintain current CPR and first aid certifications. Gain additional knowledge in areas of strength training, fitness, nutrition, and conditioning. Learn about and practice motivational techniques. Become familiar with legal and regulatory issues related to coaching (e.g., NCAA regulations). Volunteer to coach neighborhood, church, and community teams. Attend practices of teams at various levels to observe coaches' techniques. Serve as a referee or umpire. Seek a graduate assistant position in athletic administration, instruction, or coaching. Obtain an assistant and then head coaching position at the university level to increase possibility of progressing to the professional level.
OFFICIATING Refereeing Umpiring Line Judging	Professional sport leagues High school athletic associations College and university athletic associations Amateur athletic associations (e.g., United States Tennis Association) Recreational leagues	Be prepared to maintain full-time employment in addition to refereeing. Volunteer to umpire youth or Little League games. Obtain certification to officiate in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) games. Join sport associations and organizations to stay current on developments in the field and to make contacts. Attend classes, seminars, camps, and workshops sponsored by these organizations and associations. Attend an umpire training school or camp for professional opportunities. Gain Professional Football Referees Association licensure or other applicable credential. Obtain the required ten years of collegiate football refereeing experience before applying to The National Football League (NFL).
SPORT PSYCHOLOGY Teaching Research Consultation Performance Enhancement	Colleges and universities Olympic training centers Competitive youth sport centers Recreation organizations and leagues Professional sport teams Professional and competitive athletes Hospitals	Major in psychology, exercise science or other physical activity related field. Obtain a doctoral degree in sport psychology, sport sociology, or clinical/counseling psychology and complete postdoctoral training if you desire to work with professional sport teams or athletes. Develop good relationships with coaches and other athletic department personnel. Express a willingness to learn from coaches and athletes. Gain experience in a variety of different sports. Assist faculty with research. Develop strong written and oral communication skills. Consider coaching youth teams. Show genuine care when working with athletes. Join professional associations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 47 (Sport and Exercise Psychology) or the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology (AAASP).
EXERCISE AND HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY Teaching Research Health Promotion Primary Care Inpatient Medical Specialized Health Care	Colleges and universities Hospitals Health clubs and fitness centers Olympic training centers Rehabilitation clinics Public health agencies	Major in one of the social sciences and supplement coursework with hard science classes. Acquire training in the areas of research, grantwriting, and statistics. Volunteer in a hospital or fitness center. Develop strong written and oral communication skills. Learn to work well in a team environment. Earn a graduate degree in clinical, counseling, social, or experimental psychology for health psychology opportunities. Earn a graduate degree in sport psychology, with an exercise emphasis, for a career in exercise psychology. Pursue a postdoctoral internship or fellowship for advanced career opportunities.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Be willing to work with sport teams in any capacity, realizing that most people start in low-level positions. Careers in sport and athletics are extremely
competitive. Get as much experience as possible while in school.
• Join professional associations. Read their publications and attend their meetings, seminars, and conventions to learn more about the field, as well as to make
important contacts.
• Look for jobs in the minor leagues as a way to enter the sport industry.
• Earn a graduate or professional degree for increased opportunities.
• Maintain excellent personal fitness and athletic proficiency.
• Learn to relate well to a variety of people from various backgrounds.
• Consider entering the field of athletics through skills and experience in another area such as accounting, sales, or information systems.