Perhaps you grew up playing sports in the local recreational league. Maybe you were a more serious athlete and played for your school and college and dreamed of becoming a pro athlete. Or maybe you scheduled your calendar around that week's professional sports game, be it baseball, football or any sporting event. Whether you grew up playing sports or are a huge sports fan, there are many jobs available for athletes and sports buffs that offer strong career opportunities as with the odds of becoming a part of a professional sports team staggering, it is wise to take your love of sports and apply it to a more realistic career.
You can keep on top of your game with these careers:
Sports psychology is the scientific study of people and their behavior in sports. While falling under the psychology umbrella, it utilizes various approaches in working with athletes and coaches. The field of study has broadened recently with many specialists using the psychological factors associated with athletes and coaches to work with a broader population base including children, seniors, and physically and mentally challenged individuals. Today the field is often referred to as Exercise and Sports Psychology.
The best option for pursing a career in sports and exercise psychology is to obtain, at the minimum, a bachelor's of science in psychology. Entry-level positions with a bachelor's degree are rare, usually taking the form of internships. Most positions require a master's or doctorate degree in clinical, counseling, or sports psychology as well as direct training and experience.
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Department of Labor, average salaries for clinical and counseling psychologists range between $41,850 and $71,880. Some top sports psychologists earn six-figure salaries working as consultants for professional athletes, but most earn a more modest yearly income.
Physical therapy is a field in demand, expected to grow 26% by the year 2016, which is a faster expected growth rate than many other healthcare jobs. This is a good reason to get into the field. Another good reason is that physical therapists earn good salaries.
The average annual income for Physical Therapists nationwide is around $67,000. As with all professions, some make less than this, and the top end of the earnings spectrum is $95,000 per year. While a Masters degree is required to get a job, a doctoral degree will undoubtedly increase your job prospects. For students who are not looking to complete a Masters degree right away, there is the option of becoming a Physical Therapy Assistant, which requires only an Associates degree in some states; a Bachelors degree is never a bad idea. Physical Therapy Assistants earn less money because of the reduced amount of required education and expertise: the average annual salary is around $44,000, with salaries maxing out at $57,000.
The role of a PE teacher has changed dramatically for the current generation. Formerly, PE classes were directed more toward those that were athletically inclined and focused on playing specific sports, be it kickball, dodge ball, soccer, baseball, etc. But with obesity figures doubling in the past decade and diabetes and high blood pressure amongst young children on the rise, the role of Physical Education, and that of a PE teacher, now incorporates a more comprehensive approach.
Today, PE class, while still incorporating competitive sports, also incorporates climbing walls, running on treadmills and the use of weight machines. Children in a PE class today are learning to measure their heart rate and learn about the importance of exercise. This all bodes well for today's PE teachers as the push to make daily gym class a requirement continues to gain momentum.
To become a PE Teacher requires a bachelor's degree in health and physical education plus licensure from the State Board of Education. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income of a PE teacher in May 2004 ranged from $41,400 to $45,920.
Many PE Teachers also end up working as a coach, especially at the middle and high school level where they can supplement their earnings. The opportunity to pass on knowledge about the importance of exercise and leading a healthy lifestyle can be very rewarding and is something that will help your students in years to come as they learn how to keep themselves healthy.
In 2008, sporting goods sales reach $53.4 billion and while sports-related retail sales is expected to drop in 2009, careers in sporting goods are a good way to combine your love of sports and make a good living at the same time. By working as a manufacturer's rep for a sporting goods or equipment company, you can combine your knowledge and attachment to sports into a potential lucrative career.
Sales representatives play an important role in whether a manufacturer is successful or not. A sales representatives' primary responsibility are to get wholesale and retail buyers and purchasing agents interested in their company's merchandise and to address any of their clients' questions and concerns. Sales representatives must have a broad knowledge of thee products they represent as they need to be able to not only demonstrate the benefit of using their products over a competitor's products but must also be able to explain the cost benefits to the end purchaser. And while there is no formal degree for a sales representative, having a thorough understanding of business and marketing will be of benefit to those looking for a job as companies seek out the best and brightest individuals who have the personality and aspiration to sell. Sales representatives also need to be able to work with computers since computers are increasingly used to place and track orders and to monitor inventory levels. Employment of sales representatives is expected to grow by 9 percent between 2006 and 2016.
Median annual earnings of wage and salary sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products, were $64,440, including commissions, in May 2006.