No Experience? Here’s How to Kickstart Your Sports Career While Studying

When applying for a first job in the sports industry, students often receive the same feedback: You have the knowledge, but not enough experience.

This response is a vague one, leaving students wondering how they’re meant to gain this experience without first getting a job.

A main aim of GIS is not only to provide students with the technical knowledge needed in the industry, but to help them build the experience needed to get there.

So as a student, what can you do to build your CV before securing your first role?

1. Put Yourself Out There 

There is something that Julia Hess, a GIS graduate, and Erkut Sogut, a GIS lecturer and football superagent, have in common, and that is a favourite phrase. 

The phrase is, “Your network is your net worth,” and is one that’s often repeated. While it may sound cliché, the truth behind it cannot be overstated.

Networking – simply building relationships – is vital in what is a close-knit industry. Knowing someone who is hiring or able to recommend you can give you a competitive edge.

You can read more about how to network here, but it’s worth noting that these relationships are far from transactional. In fact, the opposite is true.

Tobias van Deijck, a GIS graduate and current Director of Academy Operations at Miami FC, explains why:

“One piece of advice I would give to students attending these events is to network with people and create relationships without asking for a job right away.

“Instead, have conversations by asking about what they do and what interests them, follow-up on LinkedIn after the event, and stay in touch with them every month.”

Tom Rowell, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at World Snooker Tour echoes this, adding how the ability to build genuine relationships can help your career prospects:

“You can be the smartest person in the world, but if you don’t get along with people or understand how they work, and how to manage people, you’re going to struggle in interviews.”

For those not yet comfortable networking, simply attending events is a strong starting point. Guest speaker sessions, workshops, and industry conferences are all great exposure to the sports industry, which also offer opportunities to get used to a professional environment while giving you topics of conversation for future networking and interviews.

2. Secure an Internship or Volunteer

When it comes to the experience itself, internships and placements are a great place to start.

Usually short-term and unpaid, these opportunities therefore tend to have a lower barrier to entry. This means students starting with little to no experience can still get their foot in the door, and can offer to volunteer for their local sports club or even ask to shadow a member of a professional organisation, any experience like this is great for a student’s CV, as it shows proactiveness.

From there, students can build their way up, applying for placements at larger and larger organisations as your experience builds. 

Of course, internships aren’t a long-term option, but completing a few can show your future employers that you can put your knowledge into practice in the workplace.

Tobias offered some advice for students here too, saying:

“My advice would be to treat an internship like a full time job. Be dedicated and identify an area within the organisation that you can improve and add value to. 

“The goal is to make yourself indispensable to the organisation so that at the end they have no choice but to hire you because they’ll view your contributions as value-adding (i.e, adding to revenue streams, improving operational efficiency, etc.)”

Alongside formal applications, students should also reach out directly to organisations. This proactive approach helps you stand out and, even if your application was unsuccessful, ensures your name is recognised.

3. Upskill

Students can also build experience independently.

By researching an ideal job, students can find out a lot about what hard-skills employers look for, and acquiring these skills can be done using online resources, including free courses and certifications.

For example:

• Aspiring media professionals can learn to edit through platforms like YouTube and tools such as DaVinci Resolve
• Coaches can enhance their CV by completing short courses with organisations such as the FA or PFSA

As attending events shows proactiveness, developing these skills demonstrates initiative and a commitment to learning, as well as the skill itself.

4. Build your Brand

Finally, using platforms like LinkedIn allows students to showcase their development and involvement in the industry, as well as getting your name out there. 

Students can view our LinkedIn Guide here, but a key takeaway is that consistent posts highlight that you’re active in the industry, which can entail anything from discussing an event you attended to your thoughts on an industry trend.

Creating a personal website is another effective way to stand out. This can act as your online portfolio to showcase your work, whether it be coaching analysis or business industry insights.

Remember, the goal is not necessarily to gain a large audience, but to demonstrate consistency, initiative, and a willingness to engage with the industry, qualities that employers value highly.

Overall, breaking into the sports industry can be a challenge, however following these steps as a student is a great way to get your foot in the door. 

To learn more about how GIS supports students with these, book a 1-to-1 call with our student recruitments team here.

Article by Zakaria Anani