SPI Career Library


"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.





“Hire a Professional Career Coach”

Many former players get specific career coaching that helps them discover future career interests. You have been coached your whole sports life to excel – why stop now when the rest of your life is at stake? Career coaches can help you figure out your future by analyzing your past & present. Its called Career Assessment & Career Exploration, and many professional career coaches exist that can turn you on to the latest tools and exercises that can help you identify your passion outside of athletics as a player.

Do you believe that coaching helped you become a better player? Do you believe that coaching played a role in you getting to the next level (HS to College, College to Pro)? Did you ever learn new techniques from a coach that took your game to that necessary next level? Did you learn over time that some coaches are better than others? If you answered yes to those questions and you have no idea where to start in your life outside the game, maybe you need to find a good career coach. SPI prides itself in connecting you to former players and professionals who can coach you to the next phase of your career. If this option seems right for you, give Sports Professionals, Inc. a call today.

Become an expert on “Career Changers”

If you think you can navigate this path alone, then read anything you can find on the subject. Its called Career Development, and your local bookstore or library has literally thousands of titles on the subject. If you don’t like to read, then get the book on tape version (or CD) and learn while you “work out” or commute. The point is that the information is out there of others who have been in your shoes, and feel the way you feel. You are not alone. And their stories are basically, “if they figured out how to do it, then you can too”. Some of these stories are about former athletes and some are not. But there are so many books and tapes today on the topic that you can literally pick and choose ones that fit your interest, preferred book layout, length, language, and reading style.

Finding your role outside of sport is a process – a journey that takes some time, and it all begins with one step.




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