My name is Chris Thompson, and I have previously worked in professional sport with the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Leicester Tigers. It took a lot of dedication and sacrifices as an undergraduate student to reach those levels. In this short article, I want to tell you about five things you should be doing if you are serious about entering this very competitive industry.
Attend the Student Sport Conference.
The Student Sport Conference is a fantastic way to explore development opportunities like placements, postgraduate courses, and career pathways that you may or may not have considered. It’s free to attend for first- and second-year students. Get a head start on the competition. After reading this article, secure your free place for this year’s event.
Do your research
People often say, “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know”. Whilst this is somewhat true, it does help if you have relevant knowledge in your field of interest!
There are many ways to learn more about the science behind your discipline (e.g. Exercise Physiology or Sports Psychology), which are not out of your reach. Consider the following:
- Going to class frequently will allow you to learn more about your topic. It’s obvious but sadly overlooked by some students.
- Core textbooks are also a tremendous all-in-one place to build up your knowledge of a particular concept, and you can get them for free in the library.
- Reading journal articles and keeping up to date with the latest literature trends will heighten your critical mind and allow you to show off additional knowledge compared to those who ignore the recommended reading list provided by the lecturer!
- If you are tired from all the reading, listen to a Sports Science podcast, or watch some tutorial videos on YouTube. There is so much material out there to be discovered.
My experience
During each semester, I would devote 3-4 hours a week to reading journal articles, and in the summer holidays, I would read core textbooks. In addition, podcasts and videos engaged me once or twice a week on a long train journey. Get into the habit of doing additional learning. Your future self will thank you for it.
Do some networking
As I have already mentioned, the saying “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know” is somewhat true, and you need to be proactive in finding people to speak to. Get a LinkedIn account (with a suitable profile photo and bio section) and start contacting people in the field. There are lots of examples of people you can speak to:
- Start with people slightly ahead of you on their journey. Consider contacting a fresh graduate who has recently started working as an intern. How did they get that role?
- Find fully qualified people at the start of their career journey. How did they transition from unpaid interns to a fully-fledged team member?
- Don’t be afraid to network with the people at the top. This could be the Head of Performance at a Premier League club. How did they move up the ranks and get the top job?
My experience
In my second year of university, I contacted a Strength and Conditioning Coach at over 150 professional sports teams. I focused on different levels (intern to head of performance) and asked about their journey and any advice they could give me. I didn’t always get an e-mail back from the teams, but many people did give me valuable advice.
Start at the bottom
I have met many Sport and Exercise Science students who have assumed that they will graduate and instantly work in a paid position with a Premier League club. Like any profession, you must secure a junior or entry-level position and climb up the ladder over time.
Hollywood actors once performed in small theatre shows. Platinum record-selling musicians once performed to sparse crowds in little-known back-alley venues. If you want to work in professional sport, it will be no different. You have to start somewhere.
As an undergraduate student, put together a feasible plan of action throughout your degree. This one below looks quite realistic.
- Years 1 and 2 of your degree are your opportunities to work with local-level teams as a volunteer (e.g. volunteer Sport Scientist). You could work two evenings a week at Coventry Sphinx or Earlsdon Rugby Club and learn about the reality of supporting athlete needs.
- Volunteer to help deliver activities within the department and build your skill set. There are many opportunities to work with athletes through the consultancy services offered by staff.
- After your second year, you could do a placement with a professional sports team (sandwich-year placement). You won’t get this placement opportunity without volunteering in recreational sports in the first two years of your degree, but those hours of sacrifice will be worth it. Now you can spend a year working with a professional sports team and gaining valuable full-time experience.
- Whilst your final year will be full of dissertation stress and more challenging assignments, you should still look for part-time voluntary opportunities to fit around your schedule. Consider working six hours a week with a local sports team to improve your knowledge and skill set.
My experience
Whilst I did not do a sandwich year placement, I spent three years of my Sport and Exercise Science degree working an average of six hours a week supporting athletes as a Strength and Conditioning Coach. This consisted of various sports, ability levels, and age groups. I highly recommend you find consistent work experience throughout your degree so you can learn practical skills steadily. Many students wait until final year to get experience, which is the most stressful year of your degree!
Do more than just a degree
If you want to work with professional athletes, a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science is a starting point.
To be considered for a job in elite sport, you need a range of soft and hard skills on your CV. Everyone around you will have the same degree, so what else will you bring to the table?
Aside from your hard-earned BSc degree, employers will also look for….
- ….a postgraduate degree. Consider an MSc in Strength and Conditioning, Sports Nutrition, or Sports Psychology here in Coventry!
- ….additional accreditation. For example, you will require this if you want to be a Strength and Conditioning Coach (UKSCA accreditation), Sport Scientist (BASES accreditation), or Sports Nutritionist (SENR registration).
- ….your evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). This could include shadowing qualified professionals, completing relevant courses, or attending Sport Science conferences and events.
My experience
In my final year as a BSc Sport and Exercise Science student, I shadowed the Head of Performance at Coventry City. This brief experience enhanced my knowledge of professional environments, which helped me become successful in my interview for an internship with Leicester Tigers.
Summary and take-home messages
It is very challenging to find an established career in the elite sport sector, but you will make the process a lot easier if you are willing to put the work in from the beginning of your degree. This is not an industry where you can cut corners or blag your way into positions.
It will take a lot of hard work, discipline and consistency, and a tiny bit of luck! But you will make your own luck if you follow these take-home messages:
- Create a new folder in your laptop dedicated to your area of interest. Fill it up with journal articles, videos, and podcasts to aid your learning.
- Update your LinkedIn page (add a suitable profile picture and an eye-catching bio). Start to connect with as many people who work in professional sport, and get into a routine of messaging these people asking for advice.
- Gain work experience early in your degree. Don’t hesitate to work with a small local team. It only has to be a few hours a week, but it will look great on your CV.
- Start thinking about your future. Learn about the additional requirements (MSc, soft and hard skills, and relevant accreditation) to stand out. You can learn more about this by reading job advertisements or speaking to your lecturers.
Don’t forget to secure your place at this year’s Student Sport Conference. Register now.
Going further
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