Sports in Numbers

I'm not the type of person to memorize numbers or stats when speaking on any topic. BUT there are some numbers that are just mind-boggling when I do read about them. Even further, it's astonishing to interpret the stats into an actual real life stories, some in which I want to share with you all today:

FOOTBALL
Did you know...
     There are +1 million high school football players?
     Of these high school players, only 6.5% will play in college?
     Of these college players, less than 2% are drafted by the NFL?

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Did you know...
     There are +430,000 high school basketball players?
     Only 3.8% of these high school players will play in college?
     Less than 1% of these college players will be drafted in the WNBA?

BASEBALL
Did you know...
     There are +480,000 high school baseball players?
     Only 6.9% of these high school players will play in college?
     8.6% of these college players will be drafted by the MLB?

Ultimately, this means that majority of our kids that are playing the game from high school (some even earlier on) through college are NOT going to make it to the pros to play ball (which is no surprise based on this post). The call to action here is simple... we need to put more focus on preparing our student-athletes as best as we can to rely on their education and networking resources to pursue another type of career!

This can mean... sprucing up the resume  //  creating or updating a LinkedIn profile  //  being productive during the summer breaks  //  benefit from some professional coaching (more to come on this offering soon!)  //  conducting informational interviews with professionals and/or coaches.

If you're a student-athlete yourself, or are a parent to a student-athlete (or any parent!.. you never know what sport your little one may be playing), or maybe a coach or a friend or a relative... don't wait until after graduation to address these concerns. There are so many resources to take advantage of during school and even in preparation for college. You're always more than welcome to email me if you're interested in learning more about these offerings!

*Stats cited from NCAA website

Sports on your Resume

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Did you know that student-athletes spend 40+ hours per week (equivalent to a workweek) dedicated to their sport? Most of these student-athletes work harder than hard in college with hopes of playing professionally... Until reality kicks in.

According to the NCAA, only 1% of college athletes end up playing professionally. Of that 1%, their average professional career lasts 3 1/2 years long. Which tells me that majority of our student-athletes are bound to enter the workforce... either at the point of graduating college OR upon the end of their professional career. Not to freight... help is on the way!

Whether you're a student-athlete reading this post, or someone who may know a student-athlete, I thought it might be helpful to share some TIPS on including your sports experience on your resume to prepare for the search of a career.

     - Create a section on your resume titled Intercollegiate Athletics to list your accomplishments while on and off the field --> If you worked part-time or interned while in college, add this section after your "Work Experience" section

     - Include whether you were a full- or partial-scholarship recipient --> Employers will appreciate the hard work with grades and sportsmanship that lead up to your acceptance as a college-athlete

     - Indicate your school, division level, athletic sport and dates played as a student-athlete as your title for the Intercollegiate Athletics section --> This would be equivalent to your Employer, Position and Tenure in your "Work Experience" 

     - Don't forget to include your volunteer work, which many student-athletes partake in (i.e. Habitat for Humanity, Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, etc.) --> Employers appreciate the work you accomplish outside of your college career

     - Create a section for Athletic Achievements and include any highlights, record breaking numbers in the weight room or on the field, or any championships won --> This will help demonstrate your dedication and persistence in achieving more than what's expected of winning games, which can translate to willingness to achieve much more in the workplace than what's asked of you

     - Use key phrases such as time management, leadership skills, team-oriented, accountability, communication skills, goal-oriented, motivated --> These are action words that demonstrate these important skills that you exemplified on the field, which can easily be transferred and appreciated in the workforce 

Last but not least, NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK! Get to know your coaches and administrative staff on a different level than purely transactional. Talk to your professors and fellow college students that are not on your team. The more you chat with others, the more you will hear tips and tricks and good things to help shape your professional resume!