Searching for the Perfect Career: An Ongoing Process
Andrea N. Eagleman
Associate Instructor & Doctoral Student
Department of Kinesiology
Indiana University
As an undergraduate student studying Public Relations through the Indiana University School of Journalism, I knew that I wanted to someday work in a sport organization. While I did not follow the traditional sport management academic path since I was studying journalism rather than sport marketing and management, I was still able to secure a summer internship following my sophomore year of college with USA Track & Field, an Indianapolis-based sport national governing body. As a marketing intern, I was able to get a firsthand glimpse of the ins and outs of sponsorship acquisition and fulfillment, event hospitality, and developing marketing campaigns. The summer at USATF was a wonderful experience and helped solidify my goal of someday working full-time in a sport-related field. I went on the following two summers to work in internships in sales and communications. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to experience three very different but still closely related job fields. While I enjoyed marketing, I realized that I was not passionate about it, and I truly found my niche in the field of sport communication.
Upon completion of my undergraduate degree I decided to pursue my Master’s degree in Sport Management and Athletic Administration from the Indiana University School of Health, Physical Education, & Recreation. My goal was to find a job in sport public relations upon completing my degree. After applying for numerous positions, I finally found a home with Lehman Racing, a professional motorsports team based in Chicago, where I was hired as the team’s Public Relations Manager. While I had no previous experience with motorsports, I knew that I could successfully complete all of the job tasks that were asked of me. Within three months of the job I had developed an adequate understanding of the sport of drag racing, and this knowledge grew with every race I attended over the next three years. Although I was the only female in the organization, I enjoyed my co-workers and was never made to feel like an outsider because I wasn’t a male.
While working with the race team, I also began teaching undergraduate sport management courses at Columbia College in Chicago. This experience prompted me to make the move back to Bloomington, IN, to pursue my Ph.D. in Sport Management. I absolutely loved teaching and knew that it was an activity that I could do for the rest of my life. Working with students, feeling that I am making a difference in their lives, and feeling that I have a small part in molding their futures are some of the greatest joys I have found in the field of sport management.
The moral of my story is this: do not be afraid of the unknown, and embrace change. It took three internships before I figured out what I thought I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Once I was actually doing what I wanted to do, I found another career path that was more fulfilling than anything I had ever previously done. By taking risks and not being afraid to pursue my interests, I have had many unique experiences that will help me in all of my future endeavors.
To those of you who are searching for your first job or internship in the sport industry, I offer the following five additional pieces of advice as you begin your search:
- Learn all that you can from every job or internship experience that you have. Use that knowledge to help guide you in your next career move.
- Do not limit yourself to networking only with people who are in positions above you. Look around your classrooms or to fellow interns. Set up solid relationships with your classmates or fellow interns, as these will prove to be valuable contacts down the road.
- Develop relationships with your sport management professors while you are in college. Despite what you may think, most professors enjoy talking to their students and assisting them in the job search process. Visit your professors’ office hours to discuss your career goals and ask for advice. Developing these relationships can also result in recommendation letters and references from your professors.
- Be willing to apply to organizations even when no job openings are posted. If you have your sights set on a particular team or organization, find the proper contact and send that person a cover letter and a resume. I have done this on several occasions, and in my experience it resulted in both internship and job offerings on two separate occasions.
- Be confident in your abilities and skills. Companies want to see employees who are confident and motivated to rise to any challenge. Project this attitude in your application materials and interviews.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea N. Eagleman is a third-year doctoral student at Indiana University studying Sport Management and Sport Communication. She teaches “Strategic Management of the Sport Industry” through the School of Health, Physical Education, & Recreation. She will complete her degree in May of 2008, at which time she hopes to find a position as an Assistant Professor at a college or university.