Strategic Career Planning for Athletes

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Jaap de Jonge
Editor, Netherlands

Career Planning for Athletes

Here are some initial tips.
Professional athletes should be aware that nothing lasts forever. In all the hustle and bustle, it can be easy to lose sight of life beyond the time when the active sport game is your primary focus. Planning for a career beyond the sport they love is an important step all athletes should take in order to have options upon retirement or injury (!).
1. THINK ABOUT WHAT ELSE YOU FIND INTERESTING
Would you like to be a manager, coach or trainer within the sports industry, a motivational speaker, or perhaps something totally different?
2. EVALUATE YOUR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses and research what types of jobs those skills might be a match for. Ask others what they consider to be your strengths. Do an assessment. How could you expand your skill set and your know-how? 12manage has a lot of good, condensed know-how available on any management subject, coaching, training...
3. PLAN AND EXECUTE SOME “NEXT STEPS”
Research the role you are interested in. Is your education level enough to attain your dream position? If not, look into taking some classes. Read books on the subject. Again, remember 12manage has a lot of summarized know-how available on any management subject, coaching, training... Consider involving a career coach.
4. NETWORK!
As a professional athlete, you have relatively easy access to lots of people. Some of those might contribute to your professional growth... Depending on your interests, develop contacts outside of sports.
5. PROCEED STEP BY STEP
It took a lot of time and effort and nurturing your skills to become a professional athlete. Similarly transitioning into something new will also require that… That is not a problem, but start early - while you are still an athlete!