How to Pitch Yourself to the Sports Industry
Published on May 4, 2022, at 5:54 p.m.
by Katie Holec.
The thing that I love most about public relations is the broadness of the career paths that you can take. You don’t have to stick to the PR industry — take your talents to the fashion industry, the tech industry or even to the sports industry.
As a PR professional who is interested in sports, I’ve always wondered how I can break into the sports industry.
From what I’ve learned and researched, you must have some of the important PR skills like interpersonal communication, social media knowledge, writing, researching, time management and creativity.
Once you have identified your skills, you should look for internships with sports teams or leagues that align with your capabilities.
According to Indeed, an internship “can offer a beginner in a career field practical experience within a professional role.”
You can attend sports conferences/job fairs, use teamworkonline.com or visit the team/league’s website directly to look for an internship.
While looking for experience, keep in mind that some jobs require a portfolio, so it’s smart to look for internships that can help you develop your own.
According to Pitch Consultants, “A good portfolio should contain a variety of work to demonstrate writing, strategic thinking, and client service skills.” A portfolio can also contain creative work; it just depends on what job you’re searching for within the industry.
Pitch also noted that “good portfolios are always evolving [and] you need to be constantly on the lookout to ensure that it’s showcasing your best work, even if you’re not actively looking for a role. Nothing is permanent and nor should your portfolio be.”
“Having a portfolio with relevant experience can help grab the attention of big companies so it is vital to grasp every opportunity you can find,” according to jobsinsports.com.
One thing to keep in mind during your experiences as an intern: Make sure to network with professionals in the industry to create a web of connections.
Finally, just remember to not burn those bridges, as they could be very beneficial to you in the future.
