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Sports

Are you the next Kobe Bryant or Mia Hamm? Are you getting ready to take America by storm with your dance crew? A career in sports takes hard work and discipline — and above all, it takes practice, practice, practice! If you're thinking about a career in sports, be ready to put in some long hours and more than a little sweat. If helping others is more your speed, maybe you'd enjoy coaching or being a recreational therapist. A successful career in sports can be very rewarding, so don't be afraid to go for the gold!

COACH

In a Nutshell

If you like the teamwork that goes into success in sports, coaching may be just the ticket. Coaches teach people the sport, devise game plans and strategies and manage games toward success. Other coaches work with individuals in fitness or weight-loss programs. Coaches often work irregular hours that may exceed 40 hours a week, especially during a season.

  • Head Coach — leads the other coaches as well as the team.
  • Assistant Coach — assists the head coach.
  • Coordinator — specializes in a specific area of a sport, especially in football.
  • Scout — analyzes film of future opponents and uses that experience to prepare the team.
  • Fitness — often privately employed, they devise workout and nutrition plans for people.

Get Ahead

  • High school coaches who also teach must have a college degree.
  • Coaches must be able to speak clearly and be leaders, and many start out volunteering by coaching youngsters in youth sports.
  • Success and experience help coaches earn professional coaching positions.

Earning Power (2008)

  • Nationally, the middle half of coaches earned $17,970 to $42,680 a year.
  • In Texas, coaches earned between $18,480 and $45,040.

They Did It

  • Mack Brown — Head Coach — Football, University of Texas
  • Gregg Popovich — Head Coach, San Antonio Spurs
  • Mike Tomlin — Head Coach, Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Joe Torre — Head Coach, Los Angeles Dodgers
  • Roy Williams— Head Coach — Basketball, University of North Carolina

DANCER

In a Nutshell

If you like to express yourself with movement and are agile and athletic, then dancing may be a good career choice. Some dancers work in group shows, others in solo acts, and still others teach or choreograph dances for others. Dancers work long hours rehearsing, usually every day and often on weekends, as well.

Get Ahead

  • Take dance classes at an early age.
  • You should know about music, literature, history and the arts to fully understand the moods and ideas of dance.
  • A college degree can help with employment after the dancing career has ended.

Earning Power (2008)

  • The middle half of dancers nationally earned from $7.75 to $17.85 an hour.
  • In Texas they earned $7.28 to $10.50.

They Did It

  • Karina Smirnoff — Dancer (Fordham University), Dancing With the Stars
  • Gregory Hines — Dancer, Choreographer
  • Fred Astaire — Dancer, Choreographer
  • Henry LeTang — Choreographer, Instructor

PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE

In a Nutshell

If you are physically gifted and talented, and can withstand the mental and physical demands of travel, practice and game schedules, being a pro athlete could be in your future. It is an elite field, one that requires years of training. Athletes spend hours and hours working on their athletic skills and conditioning, many of them beginning their playing days very young.

Get Ahead

  • Play your sport in high school and in college.
  • Get good grades. They will help you qualify for a chance to play in college.

Earning Power (2008)

  • Nationally, the middle half of professional athletes earned $21,690 to $83,150 a year.
  • In Texas, they earned between $21,460 and $92,460.

They Did It

  • Tom Brady — Quarterback, New England Patriots (University of Michigan)
  • Tim Duncan — Forward/Center, San Antonio Spurs (Wake Forest University)
  • Huston Street — Pitcher, Colorado Rockies (University of Texas)
  • Tiger Woods — Golfer (Stanford University)

RECREATION AND FITNESS WORKER

In a Nutshell

Recreation and fitness workers plan and instruct various activities in fitness clubs, parks, cruise ships and other locations, both indoors and out. Most work about 40 hours a week and some do work on nights and weekends.

Get Ahead

  • Get your college degree in parks and recreation, exercise science or physical education.
  • Get a professional certification as a personal trainer.

Earning Power (2008)

  • The middle half of recreation and fitness workers nationally earned from $17,070 to $27,960.
  • In Texas, they earned $14,540 to $23,610.

RECREATIONAL THERAPIST

In a Nutshell

Recreational therapists mend people from injury. They do this through a variety of sports, games, arts and activities. Unlike recreational workers, their programs are designed to heal, not just entertain. They typically work 40-hour weeks that may include some evenings, weekends and holidays. Recreational therapists often examine medical records and talk with patients and their families to help design a rehabilitation program.

Get Ahead

  • Be comfortable working with disabled people.
  • Have patience and an imagination that adapts with each patient's rehabilitation needs.
  • An associate, bachelor's or master's degree is usually required.

Earning Power (2008)

  • The middle half of recreation and fitness workers nationally earned $28,290 to $47,320.
  • In Texas, they earned $24,930 to $44,260.

Based on material developed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.