Careers for Athletes

At Concordia Nebraska, a significant number of student-athletes spend their days in class and at practice for one of a wide variety of the university’s sports teams. Whether you’re a track and field athlete or a powerlifter, chances are you love your sport and might even like to find a career in the “sports world” after graduation. Fortunately, there are a wealth of career options available for athletes; many combine athletics, even a particular sport, with another area of interest. If you can’t imagine yourself leaving athletics behind after college, one of these ten career options may be right for you.  

Athletic Trainer 

An athletic trainer’s job is to support athletes’ recovery and rehabilitation. They may recognize injuries and provide first aid on the scene, although most of their duties take place after injuries occur. During the recovery period, they develop rehabilitation and future prevention plans, apply injury-protective devices and walk athletes through the process. Most states require athletic trainers to hold a master’s degree and a professional license. Salaries are, on average, about $60,000 annually.  

Sports Editor 

Sports editors are journalism professionals who are typically responsible for assigning and editing stories about athletics and athletes. For students who are interested in both journalism and sports, this career path may be extremely rewarding. Earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations and having participated in collegiate athletics are both qualifications that will make an applicant stand out as a prospective sports editor. The median salary for editors is $75,000.  

Sports Broadcaster 

Like sports editors, sports broadcasters work in the field of journalism. Broadcasters, however, are typically featured on radio broadcasts or even live sporting events. They follow and comment on gameplay, guiding audiences through the ins and outs of the sport’s action. They may also conduct player interviews, provide analysis of a sporting event or offer insight based on personal experience. Salaries vary but can range from around $60,000 to $100,000 depending on one’s place of employment. 

Physical Therapist 

Physical therapists help people of all ages to improve their movement, especially while recovering from an illness or injury. They have extensive training in human anatomy and physiology as well as methods to relieve patients’ pain, improving their lives. Practicing as a physical therapist in the United States requires one to hold a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree as well as licensure. However, balancing out the rigorous educational requirements is a median salary of just under $100,000.  

Sports Analyst 

A sports analyst, also called a sports statistician, is a mathematician who specializes in projecting the performance of sports teams based on statistical analysis. They may create mathematical models and evaluate data to make predictions based on past performance, or they might help teams solve problems based on this data. Sports analysts typically need at least a master’s degree to enter the field, and many major in mathematics or statistics during their undergraduate years. The median salary for statisticians is about $104,000.  

Physical Education Teacher 

In schools, physical education teachers help students of all ages stay active and learn fun ways to practice healthy habits throughout their lives. They can work in elementary, middle or high schools, facilitating activities from volleyball to floor hockey or even Sharks and Minnows. Typically, physical education teachers need at least a bachelor’s degree in education. They can work in public schools, parochial schools or private schools and earn a median salary of $60,000.  

Sports Psychologist 

For student-athletes with an interest in the human mind, becoming a sports psychologist can be an especially appealing career choice. Sports psychologists are licensed psychologists who specialize in various issues related to the world of athletics. They may engage in individual interventions for performance enhancement or players’ general mental health concerns. They may also work with teams to build interpersonal and leadership skills and provide education. Salaries for licensed sports psychologists are around $92,000. 

Fitness Instructor 

Fitness instructors are leaders of physical activity for individuals or groups. They may specialize in a particular type of exercise – for example, Pilates or yoga – or they may have general knowledge about exercise and healthy lifestyle choices. On a daily basis, they might lead exercise classes, train individuals in a gym or their home, and demonstrate the safe and proper use of many types of workout equipment. The median salary for fitness instructors is $46,000, but job growth is high, at 14% projected in the next decade.  

Registered Dietitian 

For dietitians (RDNs), keeping athletes healthy by ensuring they maintain a proper nutrient intake is a top priority. Dietitians tend to work with individual clients, assess their nutritional needs and guide them through an eating plan for ideal performance and maintenance of a healthy body. Dietitians may also promote healthy lifestyles to groups of people or create educational materials. Their median salary is just under $70,000.  

Sports Marketing Manager 

If you are interested in both athletics and marketing, diving into the world of sports marketing is likely to be a great career choice. They work for sports teams of all kinds and specialize in “selling” the team’s product – its performance. They may create advertisements and products, lead a marketing team or plan campaigns across multiple media types. Marketing managers, especially those that work for well-known sports teams, can earn a median salary of over $150,000.  

The athletics department at Concordia University, Nebraska supports hundreds of student-athletes throughout their undergraduate careers. Students who participate in athletics can earn scholarships, build friendships and become part of the Bulldog athletic community. Learn more about athletics at Concordia here.