"Five Ideas to Help
You Identify
Where you fit in - Outside of Sports?”
College and Advanced Degrees:
Some people figure out what
they want to be post sports by finishing school or
getting an advanced degree (or
even multiple degrees). Many athletes get more serious
about school post sports, because they can now focus
on it. They also choose school subjects that are of interest
to them – and that can make all the difference
in enjoying classes and learning more. Our SPI research
shows that most athletes returning to school post their
pro career, actually get higher marks, and report higher
levels of satisfaction with the academic process. Also,
keep in mind that graduate schools and advanced programs
while different from undergraduate programs, are not
necessarily harder.
Bachelor’s degrees are intended to give you a
well rounded view of the world and “an introduction” into
a specialty (ie. communications, business, or teaching).
But a graduate degree is intended to give you a much
deeper grounding and view of the topic you choose to
study. In other words, you do not waist time learning
a little about a lot of things in graduate school, instead,
you learn a lot about one very focused area. Masters
programs are intended to help you become more expert
at that field of study. So as long as you choose something
you are really interested in, the learning process actually
gets you excited, motivated, and is fun.
Also, keep in mind that employers pay more for advanced
degrees and even hire more advanced degree candidates,
than they will Bachelor degree candidates applying for
jobs. So it can give you that added edge in the marketplace,
that you were used to having on the playing field.
Observe what are others Doing?
Some people get introduced
to interesting careers through someone they know already
doing that type of work. Since
early childhood and throughout your career, you have
been exposed to numerous professions through family,
friends, family advisors, college alumni, corporate sponsors,
tv show roles, cable learning channels, etc…
Have you ever thought that
it would be cool to have a certain job that someone
else you know has had? If
so, then take the time to move your thoughts of that
career or profession from a passing interest, to some
serious study. Get your hands on everything you can find
on the topic. Take the person to lunch who does the work
you think you want to do. Ask them lot’s of questions,
everything that is on your mind and that you want to
learn. Ask them who else you can meet to discuss careers
and the training needed, to get into such a field. Its
called informational interviewing and people do it all
the time.
“ Think about what you
read at the Bookstore!”
A cool exercise to help you sort
out what you are interested in is called “the bookstore”.
Think about it. When you go to Borders Books, or Barnes
and Noble (even if you are in there because of your significant
other), where do you usually go? What sections of the
store and what types of books do you spend time looking
at and reading? It’s a fabulous clue as to what
area of study or work suits you outside of sports. Where
you have a natural interest and motivation to learn more,
is a great place to find work that you will enjoy for
years to come.