Dear new grads,
We’ve been thinking a lot about what it would mean to enter the sports industry at a time like this – amidst the worst global pandemic since 1918. When phrased like that, it sounds as fun as blocking a Zdeno Chara slapshot with your face, but truly – maybe some good can come.
Find solace in knowing that when the pandemic ends, which it will, there will be a number of teams refilling the roles previously cut due to COVID-19. There will also be many people who were laid off that have decided the sports industry is no longer for them. They’ll exchange a life of weekends at work for a pay increase and maybe more stability. The impact of COVID-19 has allowed us the chance to reflect on our priorities, on where we want to go and if this is the right path – making that change should be celebrated.
If the passion for a life in the sports industry is still as strong as ever, please read on.
A penny for your thoughts to the up-and-coming sport-industry bad asses on the road ahead:
Embrace Adversity
It would be a lie to say a road filled with adversity, with trials and tribulations, and with failure is a bad thing. Quite frankly, it might be the best thing that will happen to you. While a few people will land a job with a professional team right out of graduation, most won’t. The ones who will stand out will be those with the sheer determination to continue towards a goal, despite adversity every step of the way. Anyone can try again after being denied a job on the first try, but can keep going after the 100th ‘no’?
We see it in sports all the time – the underdogs, the undrafted players, the teams with a chip on their shoulder who don’t waiver in the face of big goals. Maintain your attitude, your tenacity, your perseverance, and your patience.
“Failure. You have to feel it before you can have success.” – Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach, Jon Cooper, 2020 Stanley Cup Champion
Show the Hunger
The road ahead is a difficult one. The competitiveness of the job market in the sports industry on the other side of this pandemic will without a doubt feature stiff competition for very few roles. What can a young, passionate sports professional do to stand out? What you may not have in experience, you can make up for with hunger. It is arguably the most important attribute to have when working in sports. A passion for the industry, and all that comes with it, has the potential to trump someone else who may have more experience. The key is to find ways to show off your hunger. This could be a project you went over-and-above on or an organization you volunteered with. Start a blog, or a podcast, or set up zoom calls with people you want to work for. Be hungry. You have to do everything in your power to differentiate yourself and demonstrate why a potential lack of experience is irrelevant. Skills can be taught, hard work cannot be.
“Career Path” is Non-Existent
There are consistent themes that are likely shared between the people who hold your dream job. Yes, many NHL general managers were either former players or had ties to the game, but many people carved out their own path to where they are. It is important to not get hung up on the exact step-by-step path you have envisioned to lead you to your intended destination. A career path is non-linear.
Kyle Davidson, the Assistant General Manager of Hockey Administration with the Chicago Blackhawks, is a perfect example. Davidson started out in sales with the Rockford IceHogs and 11 years later he is the assistant general manager – his trajectory was anything but a straight line to the finish. Focus on examining the key attributes and commonalities the people who have your dream jobs share. They likely spent considerable time developing and maintaining their network, growing their skillset, and working hard. Focus more on the attributes, not the job titles, that are needed to get you where you want to be.
Don’t be afraid to start small, while keeping your goals big.
“Careers are not a ladder, they are a jungle gym. Don’t expect a direct climb.” – Sheryl Sandberg
Focus on the Controllable
Right now, as you sit reading this there is a mega list you can create of things out of your control. We can write a few for you – when jobs will open up, if you’ll get the job you’ve been working towards, where opportunities may arise. I’m sure you can continue to fill this list of unknowns. Yet, there are a number of things in your day-to-day that are entirely in your control. You can network and focus on refining your resume by connecting with industry professionals over zoom and asking them for their input. You can control who you email and reach out to. You can be reading or writing, taking LinkedIn courses, or further developing your tool box of skills. You can actively choose to spend your time productively working towards the goals you have set out for yourself and create a plan of life-long learning.
You can’t control whether you end up at your desired destination, but you can control what you choose to do to get yourself there. And your attitude throughout the journey.
You’re off to great places, today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way. (plagiarized from our good friend, Dr. Seuss)
Tyler & Sara
