The five questions I am always asked:
1. Should I get a job or go to graduate school?
Easily the most asked question I receive and one of the most difficult to answer. I usually respond with: Why do you feel graduate school would be of value at this point in your life? Certain industry segments like intercollegiate athletics prefer advanced education because, frankly, they are part of the education business. On the other hand, if you are working in sales, enjoy it and are doing well, you probably don’t need a graduate degree. As rapidly as our world is changing, graduate school can sometimes be used to “fill in the blanks.” For example, there are a number of universities offering either degree programs or certificate programs in business intelligence (big data and analytics). Adding this knowledge area to your current expertise might be a welcome addition.
If you are offered a graduate assistantship or other forms of assistance to help underwrite the costs of graduate schools, by all means capitalize on it. But if you have an undergrad degree in sport management, an MS in the same area (particularly at the same school with the same faculty) might not be the best pursuit of a graduate degree, while an MBA could be a critical aid to your employment. I am also a fan of continuing employment and pursuing executive MBA degrees.
2. I’m not sure what I want to do for my career, do you have any suggestions?
This question is fine if coming from an undergraduate prior to your senior year. If this describes you, you have plenty of time for internships and volunteer experiences. If you are about to graduate (bachelor’s or master’s) I suggest you look at all options and decide what you want to try first. Determining what you want to do first is probably the best course of action. Very few people are going to work for the same organization for 30-plus years. In fact, I tell my graduate students that at least half the class will work in something that isn’t a reality today. Skeptical? How many people who graduated five years ago were preparing for a career in esports? How many people who graduated 10-15 years ago were preparing for a career involving some aspect of social media? Find something that you like and pursue it. Find something that you are skilled at and work to become a master of that. Talented people are always in demand, so find your talent and work hard to improve yourself and your employer’s business.
3. I was told to go into sales because that is where the most opportunities are, but I don’t want to sell. What should I do?
In short, take a sales job if you are interested in selling or working in the revenue-production area of the organization. If you aspire to work in something like basketball operations, you are probably wasting your time. I have yet to hear the conversation about the time the general manager walked into the phone room and said, “Wow, I really like the way he/she follows the script and dials the phone. That person would be perfect helping us identify who we should draft.” The problem with sales is that it is possibly the least-understood career path. Movies such as “Wall Street,” “Boiler Room” and “Glengarry Glen Ross” do not accurately portray the activities of most salespeople. Your initial experience as a salesperson is influenced dramatically by your training and by the individual providing the training.
Frankly, I believe we are all involved in sales in one form or another — selling ourselves, selling our ideas or selling a product or service. If you are curious, take a sales course in college or attend some of the numerous sales clinics and job fairs offered by sports organizations searching for salespeople.
4. What is the most important factor to consider when looking for employment?
I have always stressed to my students that the person who you will be working for is far more important than the organization itself, where it is located and what you would be doing. Your initial manager will help train and shape you as well as prepare you for the next opportunity, whether that is within the same organization or somewhere else. My recommendation is to read and research to identify the people in the industry who seem to be the most creative, innovative and respected. For example, reading Sports Business Journal will give you access to the winners of the Forty Under 40 awards. They are some of the upcoming leaders in our industry. Attend conferences and gain exposure to industry leaders, seek out informational interviews, talk to alumni and recent graduates from your program and ask for insight. This is a very important decision — just as important as your decisions of where to attend school.
5. If you were me — just graduating and looking for an internship or job in 2018 — what would you do?
A very interesting question, and depending upon the day, my answer changes. I have always been a fan of Minor League Baseball or any minor league sport for people who are unsure of what it is they would be best suited for. Because the staff is usually small, the minor leagues provide a variety of opportunities. Esports and virtual reality are also interesting endeavors in sports. The future is very bright and undetermined and I would welcome being part of something like that.
As I always stress the importance of reading, my good friend Mike Veeck wrote a book titled “Fun is Good.” I think I might enjoy working for Mike and have fun doing it.
Bill Sutton (wsutton1@usf.edu) is the founding director of the sport and entertainment business management MBA at the University of South Florida and principal of Bill Sutton & Associates. Follow him on Twitter @Sutton_ImpactU.
