Western Carolina University

A degree in sport management will prepare you, the student, for jobs in six main career fields:

• Professional Sport Management
• Event and Facility Management and Marketing
• Exercise Science and Fitness Management
• Sporting Goods Management and Sales
• Sports Media
• Athletic Administration

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Professional Sport Management

Including jobs in marketing and promotions, concessions, sales, ticket management, telemarketing, public relations, security, facility management, and law.

Employers

• Professional sport organizations
• National amateur sport governing bodies
• United States Olympic Training Center
• Sport marketing/event management firms
• College athletic departments

Strategies

• Volunteer to market/promote Sport Management Association (SMA)
• Complete an apprenticeship at souvenir stand during football season with SMA
• Work on-campus in ticketing through athletic department
• Attend state, regional, and national conferences.
• Get a summer job with a professional sport organization
• Work with the Catamount Club

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Event and Facility Management and Marketing

Including jobs in special events, telemarketing, retailing, concessions, marketing/promotions, and campus recreation.

Employers

• Professional sport organizations
• Event management firms
• County or municipal facilities
• Parks and recreation departments
• College athletic departments
• Sport marketing firms
• Private corporations

Strategies

• Work at Ramsey Center in desired field
• Complete an apprenticeship at souvenir stand during football season
• Volunteer to market/promote SMA
• Attend state, regional, and national conferences.
• Get pool operator's certification
• Get a summer job working at any facility
• Work with LMP events
• Work with the Catamount Club

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Exercise Science and Fitness Management

Including jobs in strength and conditioning, research, and cardiac rehabilitation or as a fitness instructor or personal trainer.

Employers

• Corporate Fitness Facilities
• Health Club/Wellness Centers
• College Athletic Departments
• Hospitals
• Campus Recreation Department
• Physical Therapy Clinics

Strategies

• Plan on attending graduate school
• Work in on-campus cardiac rehabilitation program
• Obtain summer and volunteer positions in Health Clubs
• Work with sport teams conditioning programs
• Attend trade shows
• Become certified aerobic instructor
• Subscribe to industry journals
• Join professional association
• Attend state, regional, and national conferences
• Work in student fitness center

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Sport Goods Management and Sales

Including jobs in retailing, telemarketing, and manufacturer's representative.

Employers

• Sporting Goods/Retail Stores
• Manufacturing
• Private Rep Firms
• Professional Sport Teams
• College Athletic Departments

Strategies

• Obtain summer jobs in sales area
• Complete independent study in product knowledge
• Attend Sporting Goods Super Show in Atlanta
• Attend state, regional, and national conferences
• Work in souvenir/concessions stands
• Work with an organization selling signage, program ads, and group sales.

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Sports Media

Including jobs in sports information, public relations, promotions, advertising sales, marketing, sports statistics, and sport history.

Employers

• Local television, newspapers, and trade newspapers
• Sport media outlets
• College athletic departments
• Professional sports teams
• National governing bodies
• Private promotion firms

Strategies

• Work with campus media outlets
• Volunteer in college sports information
• Obtain summer jobs with minor league teams
• Complete apprenticeship
• Volunteer to write sport management student/alumni newsletter
• Attend state, regional, and national conferences
• Study famous sports broadcasters
• Develop a portfolio of work to share including audiotapes, video tapes, press releases, and writing samples.

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Athletic Administration

Including jobs in marketing/promotions/sales, ticket management, concessions, fundraising, academic counseling, compliance, and sports information or as an operations/events manager.

Employers

• College athletic departments 
• Amateur sport organizations
• High school athletic departments
• Sport governing bodies
• Sport league conference offices
• Event management firms
• United States Olympic Training Center

Strategies

• Secure part-time summer job in concessions on campus or for local sports team or facilities
• Work with Sport Management Association (SMA) events
• Work with athletic booster clubs
• Complete on-campus apprenticeship in desired area
• Volunteer in athletic department in any capacity
• Work with LMP
• Secure part-time job in Ramsey Center as usher, in ticketing, or in event operations.
• Subscribe to "NCAA News"
• Attend state, regional, and national conferences.

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