10 Tips to Survive (and Thrive) in a Career in Sports

A note from Kelsey: I was recently asked to pen an article for a newsletter for women in the industry. While this advice is tailored towards my female counterparts, I do feel as though a lot of the concepts apply across the board. I hope you find them as useful as I have in navigating a career in sports.

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I’ve always been a big sports lover- is that a cliché line to start with? Maybe, but it’s true.

So naturally it only made sense that I pursued a career in the industry.

If we’re being honest though, what I really wanted to be when I grew up was Mia Hamm. She was everything *insert praise hands here*

But that’s a story for another day. I got my start in the sports industry as an intern. Straight coffee run status. And how did I stumble upon said internship? A chance interaction and a LOT of follow up. I literally met the Cowboys Broadcast team one day in passing and never let them forget me.   I actually love telling this story because it was a such a valuable life lesson for me.

I wasn’t supposed to get that internship.

No- my dad doesn’t know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy.  We’re not big ballers and I don’t have a pedigree. In fact, I was told by my own professor that they would prefer the internship go to someone else.  That person would be a better fit- it was more up their alley. But I just couldn’t let the opportunity go. So I didn’t. Fast forward a few persistent months later and I was in the building. I cancelled my summer study abroad and spent every moment I wasn’t in class at the Cowboys practice facility just LEARNING.

Soaking every bit in. I was hooked. (Disclaimer: Don’t cancel your study abroad plans for a job. There will be plenty of jobs in your industry of choosing and traveling and getting outside of yourself is SO IMPORTANT.) After a year or so of interning in the in-game entertainment and broadcast department, I was set to graduate college.

I had just finished shadowing  (stalking) (I’m kidding- don’t do that) the Director of Entertainment at the Cowboys Draft Day Party. One of my first (of many) 12-hour-days was in the books.

It was wild. In all the best ways.

But what I didn’t realize, is while I was busy running ragged, I was actually interviewing. My future boss was watching.

The stars aligned with the timing- a job was available.

And the rest, is kind of history. Except not completely.

As I look back on my short career in this whirlwind of an industry, I smile.

So many incredible opportunities, fun memories. But what I remember the most are the people. Man, I have been lucky enough to work with some incredible people.

Now that, is something I don’t take lightly. In my work with the Cowboys, my time at a sports marketing agency for AT&T and currently where I am now at Susan G. Komen.

The caliber of professionals that I have surrounded myself with has been nothing short of incredible. So here is some advice that I have been lucky enough to collect from them and for myself along the way: 1. Don’t be afraid to reach If I could give anyone a piece of advice it would be to outshoot your coverage- consistently work to be with the best of the best- even if you feel inferior. The moment you stop striving for greatness is the moment you start to fail. 2. Be humble. No matter how great you are or how big you become Your Twitter followers don’t make you a better person and they surely don’t give you a right to treat people differently. You give the same amount of respect to the head coach as you do the janitor. Period. 3. Don’t forget the real world It’s a flashy industry full of $30,000 millionaires. You can try and keep up with the Jones’ but you never will be the Jones’. The price tag on the dress you wear in your sideline pic, your hair and makeup or an outrageous car payment won’t make you better at your job or more respected. Your work will. Put your head down and grind. 4. Respect yourself Nine times out of ten, you will be one of the few women under the age of 40 in the building if you work in sports. Or one of the only women at all. Do not take this lightly. Dress appropriately. Act professionally- athletes are your co-workers, you are not their fans. Don’t sell yourself short by succumbing to low-level tactics for short-term gain. 5. Be real People can spot a fraud from a mile away and this industry is no different. Stay true to your intentions and don’t lose sight of the bigger picture. You don’t have to pretend to know it all. Don’t use people to get to where you need to be. Climb together. Success will taste just as sweet. 6. Don’t be afraid to be great You’re not a “bitch” for pushing back or having your beliefs. Push the envelope. Your idea is crazy? GOOD. You are smart and you add value. Act like it. 7. Find your tribe Who got you to where you are today? Keep them. Don’t forget them. Who tells you what you really need to hear? Who innovates? Who do you admire? Connect with them daily. Surround yourself with the level of greatness you want to be. 8. Run, don’t walk When an opportunity presents itself, you take it. And you make it bigger than it even dreamed it could be for itself. Run, don’t walk towards your dreams. And if you don’t know your dreams? Keep taking strides. Your perfect moment will present itself in due time.

And while we’re on the topic, let me counter my point and tell you to be patient.  You will have to grind- you can’t be the big boss immediately. So enjoy your time. I wish I had done more of that. 9. Lift while you climb As women we are so hard on ourselves, on each other- whether self-imposed or due to culture- it’s toxic. I’ve been guilty of it. Being overly competitive, spiteful, talking shit. It literally will get you nowhere. So maybe instead focus on fixing her crown. We are stronger together, I swear. 10. Work Work. Work. Work and more work. You think what you did was great? How can you make it better? Is there a chance to learn something new? Take it. Does it mean you have to do the grunt work? Do it anyway. Your experience actually doing the little things will make you so much more insightful and well-rounded in the future. And grateful. And respected. Do the work and make it great. Always. As I sit back and reflect- I’ve been pretty lucky with my career thus far. And I say lucky lightly, because honestly, I’ve worked my ass off to get to where I am today.

And I’m not even close to being done yet.

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Do you have valuable advice to share? I'd love to hear it below!