Find a job in the National Football League – 7 skills needed to work in sports
For many people, both children and adults, sport is a vital part of their lives. Sports are a part of their lives whether they watch the game on TV or in person, play the sport recreationally, or play the sport academically in high school or college. One job industry that is constantly growing is the sports industry. Unemployment as of January 2009 was 7.6% courtesy of the United States Department of Labor. With people now looking for jobs and a possible career change, the sports industry is becoming a field of desire.
The National Football League (NFL) is the most popular professional sport in the United States. With the NFL being so popular, a job in the league is very attractive. There are seven skills that are vital to working in the NFL and in the sports industry.
1. Get a Bachelor’s degree. The first task is to graduate from college with a degree in something. Now, there are some majors that will help you more than others for a job in sport, such as Sports Management and Sports Administration, but a degree in Economics and Finance will also help you.
2. Have experience in Microsoft Office. The 21st century has become very computer driven. Computer skills are very important in this day and age. Most NFL franchises are based on Microsoft with their operating systems, and every current employee knows how to work with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
3. Have great communication skills. Being able to communicate effectively and efficiently is critical. Speaking and writing skills can set a prospective employee to a higher standard compared to someone who lacks or is weak in the area.
4. Keep a positive attitude. Being positive in an entry-level job is what makes employers happy. Working as an intern for a sports franchise requires work that is unusual for other jobs and can be quite tedious. Some examples while working for an NFL franchise include:
o Make copies of practice schedules for each coach.
o Attend fan interaction days to spark team interest.
o Transportation of players to and from the airport.
o File, File and more File.
o Attend practice, travel with the team, and attend training camp.
5. Have excellent organization and time management skills. An employee for any job needs those two attributes. In the NFL they are just as important. Being able to manage your time properly allows you, the worker, to complete work in a timely manner and not worry about deadlines or being late. Being organized is also vital. Being able to know where something is without clutter or items being lost will help you stand out when a higher-level executive asks for your opinion.
6. Strong work ethic. The NFL is all about hard work. Players have to work hard every day to be the best and win. Coaches have to work hard to formulate a game plan that gives their team a chance to win every week. Whether you play, coach, sell, or trade, you must be willing to work hard. Showing a strong work ethic will keep you employed and make an impression on your boss so they will always keep you in mind.
7. Be a leader. It doesn’t matter if you are entry level or top management. Showing leadership skills and qualities shows that you, as a worker and as a person, are not willing to let someone else do the work for you. Being a leader does not mean being arrogant. Leading by example and having good character are leadership traits that people and co-workers will respect and keep in mind when it’s time to hire or promote you.
If you follow these seven skills and are passionate about working in soccer and the National Football League; you’re in luck The sports industry is becoming highly competitive and the National Football League is no exception. It’s not an easy task to endure, but those who display a strong work ethic and are willing to put in long hours will last in the National Football League.
