Being a woman in a male dominated industry can be a challenge, regardless of the industry. In previous generations, being a woman in sports was uncommon and often frowned upon. However, the script has been flipped. In today’s world, we are seeing more and more women working in the sports field, athletes and administrators combined. The question arises: How do you become a woman in the sports industry despite not being blessed with the same athletic abilities as Serena Williams or Katie Ledecky? Here are eight careers out there if you are looking to become a woman in sports.
1. Journalist
If you are into writing, this one is a great option. Being a sports journalist allows you to cover every aspect you can imagine. There are opportunities to report on shocking wins, terrible losses, star athletes, injuries, rivalries, and so much more. You are able to interact with players and coaches by conducting interviews in order to catch the latest news breaking stories! There are various women-led sports outlets that have journalism opportunities like Just Women’s Sports and The Gist that are looking for women like you to help lead the sports industry. The Gist even has a job board that makes the career search easier!
2. Sideline Reporter
Being a sideline reporter allows you to be the star of the game, aside from the athletes of course! Sideline reporting is similar to being a journalist, however, you are more responsible for the on camera coverage rather than the news article coverage. You get to interview players, coaches, managers, and even fans on camera. You are the messenger of all things sports to the public audience. The camera always looks at you when there is someone or something that needs to be highlighted. Women like Kelly Crull and Erin Andrews are great role models in this career.
3. Social Media
Wouldn’t it be so fun to turn social media into a job? You can! Being a social media manager for a sports team or news outlet allows you not only to garner enthusiasm about your team digitally, but to also share the game and player highlights to the dedicated fans. You are able to cover the unique aspects of every game from incredible plays to surprise guests, possibly even Taylor Swift! Did you know that a woman might be running your favorite team’s social media account? The Cincinnati Bengals’ social media coordinator is Reghan Bailey and the Atlanta Braves’ social media coordinator is Becca Fallon. It is much more common than you think!
4. Sports Marketing
Sports marketing is a great way to work in sports on the business side. Working in marketing allows you to collaborate with different brands or athletes to promote athletic gear and events. You may also be responsible for promoting a team or individual athletes, such as Mikaela Shiffrin. Shiffrin is a professional American alpine skier who has had over 30 brand deals including Adidas (SponsorUnited). You might be able to help another female athlete become just like Shiffrin by working in sports marketing!
5. Athletic Trainer
Have you ever wondered where your favorite player goes when they get injured? Give it up for athletic trainers! As members of the medical side of athletics, they are responsible for rehabilitating athletes after sustaining an injury and providing preventative care by taping and stretching athletes. According to Zippia, females account for 58.5% of all certified athletic trainers. Athletic trainers are the underrated heroes of sports. Without them, athletes in all sports from baseball to hockey could not be restored back to full health.
6. Sports Psychologist
Continuing in the sports medicine field, another option is becoming a sports psychologist. Being a professional athlete not only affects you physically but can drain you mentally. Sports psychologists help to analyze athlete’s mental health to ensure they are stable and able to perform well. After diagnosing the athlete, sports psychologists use their knowledge to determine what is the best way to go about recovery. Simone Biles has become an advocate for mental health after her withdrawal from the 2020 Olympics due to mental health issues. Her former sports psychologist, Robert Andrews was not a part of her mental health journey in 2020, however, he worked with Biles from 2013 to 2017 and helped her keep her mental health steady (Marca). You can do the same and help your favorite athletes in their mental health journey.
7. Athletic Director
Maybe the pros aren’t the place for you, however, you are still able to influence the younger generation of budding athletes. Being an athletic director means working as the head of athletics at a high school or university. You are responsible for recruiting, scheduling, budgeting, hiring coaches and assistants, and managing the overall athletic department. This involves working more on the management and administrative side of athletics rather than being right in the action. One great example of a female athletic director is Mollie Marcoux Samaan. She worked as the athletic director at Yale for seven years and is now the commissioner of the Ladies’ Professional Golf Association (LGPA).
8. Coach
Last but not least, you can be the coach of a sports team. Recently, women have had the opportunity to become the coach of professional teams. For example, Jessica Campbell pursued her dream of being an NHL coach. She was recently hired as an assistant coach of the Seattle Kraken. Also, Alyssa Michelle Nakken was the first female to coach in an MLB game as a first base coach with the San Francisco Giants. These women help build these teams up to the best of their abilities while pursuing a career they are passionate about, and you can be just like them.
Although it can be intimidating to pursue a career in sports as a woman, it is possible. Websites like TeamWork Online, NCAA Job Market, The Clubhouse, Jobs In Sports, and many more have various available jobs in all departments. There are endless options and opportunities for women to find their place in the sports industry, and if you cannot find your place, make it. You have the power to make history and do not let something like your lack of hand eye coordination stop you.