Singapore fielded over 60 athletes across 11 sports at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia. On top of major spotlights on Singapore’s key events like swimming and table tennis, the republic also competed in lawn bowling and beach volleyball for the very first time.
In a society as diverse as Singapore’s, sports are an effective way to bring a nation together. While not everyone has the ambition to become the next Olympic champion, joining the sports industry could mean to play a part in unifying the community. Here’s how you can score a job in the competitive world of sports:
Score the right education
The professional sporting industry requires a supporting ecosystem that taps into a wide range of disciplines. An education in sports science will equip individuals with knowledge around human physiology and biomechanics, which are both essential for careers such as coaching or sports therapy. If science isn’t your thing, sports management equips individuals with business know-how so that you can land a role in marketing, finance, event organisation or facility management. Find out which path suits your career aspirations best and consider tapping on available grants, like SkillsFuture, to subsidise the cost of further studies.
Be on the ball
Given the diversity of roles in the sports industry, an internship will help job seekers determine whether a particular role is a good fit, provide valuable hands-on experience and the opportunity to learn from industry professionals.
The range of job options can also work in favour for working adults hoping to break into the sports industry. For instance, a seasoned marketer in the F&B industry could readily tap on his/her marketing experiences to seek employment in a role in sports marketing.
Take to the field
In addition to maintaining healthy habits, what better way to get into the psyche of an athlete than to actually participate actively in sports?
From the fears and self-doubts to the hopes and aspirations of achieving greater heights, understanding the human psychology behind what motivates an athlete and their audience will help you navigate through your career in sports. It’s through this ability to relate to their needs first-hand that will give you valuable insights essential for strategic decision making, supporting the growth of the sports industry.
