Sports Management/Science

Over the course of your degree you develop a wide mix of subject-specific and technical skills, you should consider these skills developed on your course as well as through your other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles, etc. Think about how these can be used as evidence of your skills and personal attributes. Then you can start to market and sell who you really are, identify what you may be lacking and consider how to improve your profile.

Working as a Gym Manager and Trainer

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Prospects

While the main study areas of sports science/management degrees focuses closely on sport, the skills you develop are applicable to a variety of industries, including health, education and local government.

A 2010 HESA survey of 2009 graduates indicates that six months after finishing their course, over 60% of all sports science graduates went directly into paid work in the UK or overseas. About 9% were combining study with work.

Of those employed, over 20% were in sports-related professional roles, just over 10% were education professionals, 8% were in management roles and the remainder worked in various employment sectors, including hospitality, healthcare and administration. Typical first jobs include fitness instructor, personal trainer, assistant sports development officer and junior sports administrator. Teacher training is popular amongst sports science/management graduates.

Where are the jobs?

Employment opportunities exist in the private sector with health and fitness clubs as well as with public sector providers of sports and recreation facilities. Sports councils, professional bodies and professional sports clubs employ staff in administrative, technical and research roles. There are also wider opportunities in leisure and theme parks for those interested in management roles. After gaining relevant experience, graduates have established businesses and consultancies, including sports promotion and sports tourism.

For an insight into the two most popular employment areas for sports management/science graduates investigate:

• Sport and leisure - this sector is made up of a wide range of sport and leisure providers, from private health and fitness clubs to local authority recreation centres. It also encompasses other recreation activities and attractions like theme parks, theatres, museums and the countryside.
• Education - this sector comprises compulsory education at primary and secondary school level. It also includes further and higher education.

Jobs directly related to your degree

• Sports coach/instructor
• Sports development officer
• Personal trainer
• Outdoor pursuits manager
• Higher education lecturer
• Secondary school teacher (PE)

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Sports psychologist (You will need to undertake further study and qualifications to enter this profession.)
• Sports therapist
• Fitness centre manager or Leisure/social club manager
• Sports administrator
• Health promotion specialist

Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it's not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

You can find more about the skills you develop during your course, the jobs listed above, plus case studies and where to find these jobs at Prospects.

Included with the permission of AGCAS. For the latest version of this publication, see www.prospects.ac.uk. For permission to reproduce, contact copyright@agcas.org.uk