How a College Degree Prepares You for a Management Role in Sports

The sports world includes a number of roles that take place far from the playing field. This makes sense, since someone needs to ensure that everything runs smoothly in the stadium on game days, as well as keeping the team relevant in the community during the off-season. Most sports teams are run like a business, complete with multiple departments such as marketing, finance and HR, that work together in order to make a profit. And of course, someone needs to be in charge of managing the business. 

So, how can you land a job like this? It all starts with a degree in a related field, like sport management or athletic coaching and recreation management. Let’s explore the options.

Learn Leadership Skills

In order to work as a manager, you first need to learn how to be a leader. Those who say leaders are born, not taught, are wrong because there are indeed leadership skills that you can learn in a classroom. Even better, many college courses require group work or group projects, allowing you to pick up hands-on leadership skills while you’re still in school. You’ll also gain experience with time management, scheduling, communication, and more, all of which will help you in the sports management field. 

Take Management Courses

Leadership and management go hand in hand, so it makes sense that you’d take courses in management. Some of these courses, like introduction to sports management, are very specific to the industry, while others, such as principles of management and business policy and strategic management are more general. However, all of these courses will teach you what you need to know to do the job right. 

Learn the Basics of Business

In addition to courses on things like leadership and management, there are a number of basic business courses required to earn a degree in sport management. These courses include microeconomics, macroeconomics, financial accounting, principles of marketing, and principles of finance and budgeting, all of which are necessary topics for someone who wants to work in the business world. It’s important to know as much as possible in order to succeed in the sports industry, and it all starts with a college degree. 

Gain Knowledge About the Sports World

Of course, not all business courses are created equal. While you’ll learn a lot of the general basics while working on a business degree, what makes the sports management path stand out is its emphasis on the sporting world. For example, in the program at Dean College, there are courses in sports ethics, sports law, and sports venue management, which will give you some very specific knowledge that will come in handy in your future career.

Earn Your Degree at Dean College

Do you want to go on and work in the sports world after college? If so, then a degree in sport management or athletic coaching and recreation management from Dean College might be right for you. Ready to take the first step? Request more information, today.