David Clancy ☘️ MSc, BSc, ERF CertRP’s Post

Day 12 of the #LinkedInSportsChallenge : Highlight common mistakes people working in sports make and how to avoid them. 📌 Not being kind to the "nobody". "Nobodies" grow up and get jobs. They also often control more than you know. It's the right thing to do, generally to be kind to people, but you also might need them one day. Quick story here; when I worked for Ben Howland at UCLA Men's Basketball, his last test to any student trying out for the team was to talk to me. If they didn't say hello and thank you to me, if they had an attitude with me, if their behavior was ill mannered in anyway, I was to tell him. I watched more basketball talented kids lose spots on their team because of their character. You never know who's watching. 📌 Taking roles you know you aren't going to like and forcing yourself down a path that will be hard to get out of. I once had a teacher tell my class that you should take any job in sports. What that's meant more often than not is watching students and incomers work in ticket sales as a way "in" when they have no desire for sales. It's very hard to convert those types of roles to something in marketing or team operations within an organization, where you could have been better suited working at a like group that gives you actual experience in that field. I am not trying to knock a sales role here; some people are better suited for that type of role than others and I have friends thriving in that space. But because those departments have high turnover, they are recommended as ways into organizations. It's the wrong approach. In general, applicable skills are applicable skills and you don't have to put yourself in a position to loath a job for a quick way in. Be strategic about your options instead. 📌 Not listening to emerging trends and continuing your learning. This business is ever changing and it's important to constantly educate yourself. How are you tapping into professional development tools? Are you asking questions of people younger than you? Do you read and discover in your free time? Are you investing in resources to help you stay fresh with ideas? 📌 Know a second language. My French and Spanish are conversational, and I try to be more fluent in both. The emergence of diverse groups of fans, players, the spread of sport worldwide, etc.... LEARN A SECOND LANGUAGE. Often than not, it can be the deciding factor in your role or in getting a role. #LinkedInSports

This is Gene Smiths’ Athlete to Career Story… Transitioning from athletics to a career is a journey filled with both triumphs and hurdles. As an athlete, I found purpose in the competitive spirit, the dedication to hard work, and the camaraderie within the sporting community. The transition to the business world, however, revealed a stark contrast. In athletics, success often aligns with effort, talent, and deservingness. But in the corporate landscape, these traits don't always guarantee success. The purity I found in sports, where effort directly correlated with outcomes, has been challenged. In business, success can hinge on factors beyond merit—networking, timing, marketing, gender, and sometimes sheer luck. Adapting to this reality has been one of the greatest challenges. The rules of the game seem less defined, and the path to success appears less straightforward. Despite these challenges, the transition has taught me resilience and adaptability. I've learned to channel the discipline and determination cultivated through athletics into navigating the uncertainties of a career. While the landscape may not be as straightforward, the skills acquired through sports—teamwork, discipline, and the drive to improve—remain invaluable. I'm still in the process of figuring it out, continuously learning and evolving. The journey from athlete to professional is an ongoing pursuit—one that requires embracing ambiguity, learning from setbacks, and continually honing new skills. The contrast between the purity of athletics and the complexities of the business world has been a profound learning experience, shaping my perspective as I strive to find my footing in this new arena. —————————————————— If you are a current or former college athlete regardless of sport, school or decade, join the 5 Percent Club it’s a free lifetime membership to a global business community. We Earned it! Learn more at “Visit My Website” above.

Things i have learned over the past few weeks into a search for employment. I’m having flashbacks: 1. When i graduated from University of San Francisco looking for my first sports position and being told “you don’t have any experience” my bewildered look communicated “how am i suppose gain experience if im not given a chance?” Life impact: Never forgot this and vowed to make it better for those to never feel the way this made me feel. As a professor in sport management for several years i did everything i could to create opportunity for my students to leave my program with a wealth of industry experience so they were set up for success. 2. Changing careers was one of the most door slamming experiences i have ever had. Then i met Isaac Klinger and he absolutely took a chance and i will never forget his willingness to see beyond the one sheet of paper aka resume that is all defining of future success. Life impact: humans are a collective of all experiences. Working for the Los Angeles Clippers as an intern counts. Working for the Anaheim Angels and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim where i learned so much from amazing people Quinn Mackin Brent Mater John Drum Jr. and Sam Maida and met some of the most amazing colleagues that are contributing to the sports space still Sam Piccione III Tim Mead still an impact today! 3. Full circle 2600 + applications a hand full of first round interviews. 90 percent rejection with the message “you aren’t qualified” “you don’t have experience”. Life impact: self reflection “wait am i qualified” “wait am i reading the desired qualifications” “wait can i actually read”! Then i remember i have led programs both domestic and international grounded in experiential learning, I have led sustainability courses centered around professional sports jewel events and killed it, i have more former students doing what they love and are qualified for because i didn’t sleep to getting the work done. I have taken on change management responsibilities for professional sports team centered around guest experience and education rolling out green programs, I have 20 plus years of fantastic experience that any organization would be delighted to have and i just need to stay the course. Heads up not down! #letsgo iTypo|iPhone|iApologize

🔥 Insights from 2 decades in the sports industry: 1️⃣ 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 Don't underestimate the value of lending a hand to small opportunities that may not seem significant at the time - they could lead to big rewards in the future. 2️⃣ 𝗕𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲 IIt's easy to shy away from opportunities that push you outside of your comfort zone. It's entirely up to you to take advantage of every moment and extract its full potential. Be a lifelong learner. 3️⃣ 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 Avoid connecting with people based solely on their job titles or affiliations. It's easy to see through insincere attempts to use others as a means to an end. Instead, consider individuals as potential partners for brainstorming or mentors from whom you can gain valuable insights. Being authentic will open doors to new opportunities. 4️⃣ 𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 Aspiring to work in the sports industry can be exciting, but it's important not to lose sight of why you want to be a part of it. Embrace the ups and downs, it's worth it. What are the experiences and insights that have contributed to your journey so far? 💡 Share your reflections below!

#linkedinsportschallenge Day 12! 😁 “Highlight common mistakes people working in sports make and how to avoid them” Poor Time Management: The sports industry can be hectic and unpredictable. Use tools and techniques to manage your time efficiently. Lack of Long-Term Planning: Sports careers can be unpredictable for staff the same way it can be for some players. Not having a long-term plan can leave you unprepared for the future. Set clear career goals and work towards them. In some cases it’s also good to have a back up plan. Overconfidence: Being overly confident or assuming you know everything about sports can be detrimental. Stay humble, be open to learning, and recognize that there’s always more to discover. Impatience: Building a career in sports can take time. Don’t expect immediate success or results right away. Be patient, gain experience, and work your way up. Not Building a Network: Networking is crucial in sports. Sometimes you have to get over your fear of going up to people in order to get where you want to be. Attend as many industry events as you can and reach out to potential mentors.

🌟 Viewing Yourself as a Brand 🚀 💭 Dreaming of winning a scholarship? Start by viewing yourself as a brand. Social media is your stage 🏟️, your portfolio, your recruiter's gold mine 💰. It's where deliberately showcasing your athletic prowess 💪, academic achievements 📚, and unyielding commitment to your sport ⚽️ can land you a scholarship. 💭 Think about it—you could be one tweet 🐦 away from your dream college! And remember, it's not just Twitter. Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat are also packed with recruiter eyes 👀 looking for talents just like 𝗬𝗢𝗨. 🔍 Understanding the Social Media Game 🎮 But knowing 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 to share your greatness isn't enough, you need to learn 𝗛𝗢𝗪. When to post 🕓, what to post , how to interact with coaches 🤝, how to stay ethical yet engaging—each factor plays a unique role in your recruitment journey. Luckily, we've got you covered with our comprehensive course on the college recruitment process 📈. 🎓 About Our Course 📚 Our course isn't just about snagging scholarships; it's about mastering the art of self-presentation , developing innovative marketing techniques 💡, understanding the dynamics of the recruitment process 🔄, and leveraging each interaction for optimum results. And it all begins with a sharp, witty tweet 🐦 or an impressive Instagram post 📸! 🚀 Start Your Journey With Us 🛤️ Isn't it time you turned your social media into your passport to your athletic future? Start your journey with us at Worldwide Athletic Recruitment and ace your sports recruitment game, today. 👍🏼 Like and comment 💬 "social media" to learn more about how we can get you to where you are looking to go both athletically and academically, like we have for 100's of other student-athletes all around the world! 🌍 #AthleticScholarships #RecruitmentReady #AthleteBranding 🏆

𝑩𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒕: 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒗𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕. We've all felt "imposter syndrome." In our current role, in a new field, with new technology, as adults, as parents; there's no avoiding it. This feeling becomes especially strong when you're pivoting to a completely new field. But how do you get through that? How do you pivot? A few takeaways from my pivot to consulting after 18 years in sports media: 1. 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞.  I had ZERO clue what communications consultants did before I was hired as one, and that is the honest truth. Imposter syndrome is what we all feel when we think we're not equipped or qualified for our position. That just means we are in the best position and have the incredible opportunity to grow and learn, so be a sponge. Take part in those new learnings. Read about your new field (and ask for recommendations). Reacclimate yourself with skills you may not have used in a while. Be open to suggestions and advice. 2. 𝐀𝐬𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩. I admit, as a woman in the sports industry, this was a tough one for me, but I know it's tough for a lot of us in general. We are told by previous generations to fake it 'til you make it. I legitimately had managers from my previous internships AND jobs who told me if I couldn't figure things out on my own, I probably wouldn't make it in the field. I learned a lot from observation but found that I did have some amazing mentors who WERE willing to teach and assist. At a certain point, we all have to get past that "fake it" mentality and realize the best time to ask for help is when you need it because it will save everyone a ton of time. That being said, for a pivot, network with those you know who have completed the journey or in a field you're looking to explore! You never know who may want to help if you don't ask. 3. 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞. Your title may not be the same but you certainly have experience and perspective. Going from sports to consulting, I felt like a fish out of water hearing new terms that I had never experienced in any environment my entire professional career. At the beginning of my pivot, I was fortunate to hear these words from Mark Gustafson: "You were hired for a reason. You have the skillset we need. If you ever need support, ask. And your perspective on this is important, so don't be afraid to share it." Sometimes, your gut feeling might be the next best idea for those who have never heard your perspective. LEAN INTO IT. It takes a lot of courage to step out of your old life into a new one and to feel so uncomfortable, but you have what it takes to make it. As I tell my kids, "As long as you try, I'm proud of you." Be proud of you too.

3 things I wish I knew before starting my professional life In 2007 I graduated in Sports, for USP - Universidade de São Paulo and started my professional career. I had, during the course, many opportunities to work on punctual projects and learn a little how to develop a healthy path and build my career. I always had a dream to work in the Sports Industry, mainly with Sports Marketing, Sponsorship, etc. After 17 years, I've had several roles in the Sports Industry and I can say that I have made my dreams come true. During this time, I faced many challenging situations, I had to adapt myself and developed some behaviors that made me achieve the "next levels". When I think about my career and everything I've lived professionally, I believe that some issues that I passed through, could be easier or even does not exist if I had some tips or someone who helps me that time, teaching or guiding me with his experience. 3 tips that I'd given me before I started my professional career: 1. If you don't speak other languages, you will probably lose many great opportunities. In this globalized world, languages are not just a differentiator, but a necessity. I would have started to learn English earlier and tried to learn other languages too. I've lost some great opportunities because my English level at that time wasn't good enough. 2. Investing in networking is as important as continuing studying and being following the movements of your professional area. Networking is more than just meeting new people, it is the best way to get together with some people who can help you and you can help them. If you desire to get to the next level, it is important to know people who are there and how they achieve that place, as well you can share what and how you've done to achieve your position. Networking should be a win-win relationship. 3. Develop and grow your emotional intelligence. When we are young we don't think about it and face many situations where our emotions are challenged. Most of the time we have no idea how to respond to it, how we should behave and mainly, how not to let such situations affect us. I believe everyone has some regrets about a professional situation that could be lighter or even easier, if we have controlled our emotions. Don't you? How about you? What tips would you give to you when you were starting your career?

While prior experience in participating in #sports can be beneficial for individuals pursuing a #career in #sports #management, it is not an absolute requirement. Sports management encompasses a wide range of roles and responsibilities, many of which do not directly involve playing sports. Here are some considerations: 👉 Understanding of the Sports Industry : Prior experience in sports can provide valuable insights into the industry's dynamics, culture, and challenges. This understanding can be an advantage when working in sports management. 👉 Networking Opportunities : Being involved in sports can help individuals build connections within the industry, which can be essential for career advancement. 👉 Empathy and Perspective : Having played sports can help individuals empathize with athletes, coaches, and other stakeholders, as they have firsthand experience of the physical and mental demands of the sport. 👉 Skill Development : Some roles within sports management, such as coaching or athlete development, may benefit from a background in sports participation due to the practical knowledge and skills required. However, it's important to note that sports management encompasses various roles, including marketing, finance, event management, public relations, and more. Many of these positions do not require prior sports participation but instead demand skills related to business, communication, marketing, and management. Therefore, individuals without a background in sports can still excel in these roles. Ultimately, the suitability of prior sports experience depends on the specific career path within sports management an individual wishes to pursue. It's possible to enter the field without having participated in sports, but a passion for sports and a strong understanding of the industry can be valuable assets. Additionally, formal education and relevant internships or work experience in sports management can help individuals develop the necessary skills and knowledge for successful careers in this field. 🎮 🏐 Feel free to share your thoughts on the same! 📘 #SundayThought #sportsmanagement #passion #for #sports #AllDayIDreamAboutSports

From a server at a conference cleaning tables and dishes to attending a conference at the exact same location as a founder It’s been a full circle And all has been made possible through 4 things: 1. Realizing my potential via investing the time into trying different things and reflecting to identify my value proposition 2. Leveraging my potential via NETWORKING and growing my PERSONAL BRAND through platforms like Linkedln 3. By being CONSISTENT in my efforts irrespective of the outcome 4. And last but not the least discipline and this does not always mean waking up at 4am everyday but it could also be making sure you accomplish the daily tasks you set for yourself What are things that have helped you pivot in your career? #students #motivation #internationalstudents