Athlete jobs

A professional athlete is someone who participates in organized sports such as football, basketball, soccer, tennis, golf, running, skiing, hockey, rugby, gymnastics, figure skating, and baseball on an individual or team basis. These sports may also include figure skating and baseball. They devote a significant amount of time each day to practicing and training in order to better their abilities and overall performance. In reality, only a small percentage of athletes ever make it to the professional level. Those that are successful in accomplishing this goal only get there after spending years participating in sports at school or in a club.

A Few Fast Facts

The average yearly wage for athletes who compete professionally is $47,710 (2016).

In 2014, there were over 11,800 persons working in the field of professional athletics (2016).

More over half of them are employed in some capacity within the spectator sports business.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment prognosis for professional athletes is favorable. [Citation needed] Through the year 2026, the government agency makes the prediction that employment will expand at the same rate as the typical growth for all professions. However, the competition will be just as tough as it usually is due to the fact that there is a greater demand for employment in the athletic industry than there are openings.

Where to Begin and How to Do It

Participating in high school, collegiate, or club teams is a great way for athletes to hone their skills in team sports like football, hockey, baseball, and basketball, which are all played at the professional level. As part of their preparation, other athletes, such as tennis players, golfers, swimmers, cyclists, runners, and gymnasts, take either private or group instruction in their respective sports.

Which Non-Academic Skills Are Necessary for Your Success in This Career?

If you want to participate at the professional level in a certain sport, you will need to have exceptional talents, put in a lot of work training, and be dedicated to that sport. You will also need to have some soft skills, most of which are not going to be taught to you during this course.

Interpersonal Skills Athletes, especially those whose sport requires them to do so, are required to be able to function well as members of a team.

Concentration: The capacity to concentrate intently is really necessary.

Ability to Make Choices: While you're out on the field or court, you need to be able to make decisions quickly and confidently.

Coordination of the Hands and Eyes: Many different sports require that you have the ability to synchronize the motions of your hands and eyes.

Physical Endurance In order to be successful as an athlete, you will need to be able to maintain your level of physical activity for extended periods of time.

The Drawbacks of Competing at a Professional Level in Sports

You should plan on working at times when the general public normally has time to watch sports, such as on the weekends and holidays.

Your job schedule is going to be all over the place. Athletes devote a significant amount of time to training, traveling, and competing for their sport during the season for that sport, yet they enjoy a significant amount of free time outside of the season. For instance, baseball players have a lot to do between March (when Spring Training starts) and October (when the Major League season comes to a close), since during that time they play a lot of games.

It's not uncommon for professional athletes to suffer injuries that put an end to their careers. Prepare yourself for life after retirement from your sport by establishing a fallback profession.

Misconceptions that are Widespread

You will have plenty of opportunities to "play": Although it may seem like athletes make money while having fun, the reality is that they spend a significant amount of time practicing for the sports in which they compete.

You will be selected by a professional team to: The vast majority of individuals who dream of having careers as professional sports never achieve their goals. The majority of players that are selected by clubs from lower leagues never make it to the majors.

You will be very successful financially if you: The contracts of high-profile players like as Steph Curry are worth many millions of dollars, but the salaries of his less well-known colleagues are merely a small percentage of that total.

You are going to become well-known: Have you ever heard of Eli Manning? A household name, Eli Manning is the quarterback for the New York Giants. Now, are you familiar with the name Weston Richberg? No? You're not alone. Before making the move to the San Francisco 49ers in 2018, he served as the center for this club. As a teammate of Manning's, he was on the field anytime the quarterback was, yet unlike the majority of professional athletes, he is not well known.

When You Retire, What Are Some Things You Can Do?

Even in the unlikely event that an injury does not put a stop to your professional career, you will not be able to compete indefinitely, nor will you want to. Athletes often retire at a younger age than the general population, and the vast majority of them wish to continue to lead active lives.

Coaches are responsible for instructing both amateur and professional players in the foundations of their respective sports.

A scout is a person who looks for and approaches potential players to join school or professional teams.

A fitness trainer is someone who teaches others how to exercise and other activities linked to fitness.

The duties of a sports announcer include narrating games, offering analysis, and conducting interviews with athletes.

A sports reporter is someone who writes, broadcasts, or otherwise disseminates news reports about athletic events via print, web, or radio media.