by Claire Miller
Writing a résumé, researching graduate schools and scholarships, networking with potential employers, searching for that perfect job – all of these can be daunting tasks for students preparing for life after college.
For Georgia State University students interested in working in sport-related fields, preparing for the future began with attending the Sport Administration Career and Internship Fair on Feb. 3.
The event, coordinated by the College of Education’s Sport Administration program and University Career Services, featured a panel discussion about graduate schools and a speed networking event designed to give students a better feel for the opportunities they can choose from after earning their diploma.
“The fact that you’ve come to this event shows that you’re taking the steps you need to succeed in this industry,” said Natasha Brison, COE clinical assistant professor and fair coordinator, during the panel discussion.
The panel featured Brison, COE Assistant Professor Shelley Linens and Georgia Southern University Professor Daniel Czech, who discussed graduate program requirements and career paths for students who earn master’s and doctoral degrees in sport administration, sport medicine, sport psychology and sport law.
All three panelists underscored the importance of doing research before choosing a graduate program or job and getting as much hands-on experience in the field as possible.
“Look for opportunities to build your résumé,” Brison said. “Students in our program range from wanting to be coaches to working with events and marketing to working with collegiate, professional or high school sports, and there’s a gamut of opportunities you can take advantage of to prepare for a career in this industry.”
Following the panel discussion, students had the opportunity to learn more about local sport organizations during a speed networking session. Attendees rotated among tables of representatives from the Atlanta Dream, the Atlanta Hawks, Agnes Scott College, GSU Athletics, the Atlanta Braves, 5-Hour Energy, Corporate Events Unlimited and the Georgia Force.
Students like Gwinn Nixon, who will graduate this December with a master’s degree in sport administration, saw the speed networking as a chance to talk to people working in the field and gain a better perspective on the type of job he wants after completing his degree.
“I need to start networking and hone in on what I want to do, and the best way to do that is to talk to people and get my name out there,” he said.
The speed networking event also gave alumni of the sport administration program the chance to come back to GSU as working professionals, and to meet students ready to begin a career in the sport industry.
Josh Moore, who graduated from the COE in December and represented GSU Athletics at the fair, spoke with a mix of undergraduate and graduate students about his work at the university and the best ways to find the right job.
“If I can, I want to coach them on how to get a job in this field,” he said. “I want to help them get their foot in the door.”
For more information about the COE’s Sport Administration program, visit http://education.gsu.edu/KIN/4689.html.
