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Athletes and Sports Competitors
Compete in athletic events.
Other titles employers use
Baseball Pitcher · Baseball Player · Basketball Player · Golf Professional · Hockey Player · Major League Baseball Player · Minor League Baseball Player · Professional Athlete
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Assess performance following athletic competition, identifying strengths and weaknesses and making adjustments to improve future performance.
- Maintain equipment used in a particular sport.
- Attend scheduled practice or training sessions.
- Maintain optimum physical fitness levels by training regularly, following nutrition plans, or consulting with health professionals.
- Participate in athletic events or competitive sports, according to established rules and regulations.
- Exercise or practice under the direction of athletic trainers or professional coaches to develop skills, improve physical condition, or prepare for competitions.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, persuading and helping work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Persuading
- Leading, selling, starting projects, or making a case
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
- Monitoring
- Judgment and Decision Making
Subjects to know
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Communications and Media
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Static Strength
- Stamina
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.4 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 4.1 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 4.8 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 3.8 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Most employers do not ask for a formal credential. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 58%
- A four-year degree 24%
- A certificate or some college 9%
- A two-year degree 9%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Web page creation and editing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Presentation software
- Word processing software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Electronic mail software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 2,330
- Job openings each year
- 290
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 17.7%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 2,330 | 290 | 17.7% |
| Texas | 1,420 | 180 | 18.3% |
| North Carolina | 970 | 120 | 21.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 910 | 110 | 12.3% |
| Illinois | 790 | 100 | 17.9% |
| Arizona | 750 | 90 | 11.9% |
| Ohio | 730 | 90 | 5.8% |
| Utah | 570 | 80 | 50.0% |
| New Jersey | 480 | 60 | 6.7% |
| Colorado | 440 | 60 | 10.0% |
| Arkansas | 420 | 50 | 16.7% |
| Tennessee | 410 | 50 | 32.3% |
| Alabama | 390 | 50 | 8.3% |
| Wisconsin | 390 | 50 | 21.9% |
| Indiana | 340 | 40 | 6.3% |
| Connecticut | 330 | 40 | 22.2% |
| Louisiana | 310 | 40 | 10.7% |
| Oregon | 230 | 30 | 21.1% |
| Kentucky | 220 | 30 | 10.0% |
| South Carolina | 210 | 30 | 10.5% |
| Iowa | 180 | 20 | 12.5% |
| Kansas | 160 | 20 | 6.7% |
| Oklahoma | 160 | 20 | 14.3% |
| Washington | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Virginia | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Idaho | 60 | 10 | 50.0% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
University of Iowa
- Degrees each year
- 543
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Annual cost after aid
- $20,000
California State University-Fullerton
- Degrees each year
- 542
- Admit rate
- 87%
- Annual cost after aid
- $6,000
Texas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 466
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
University of Memphis
- Degrees each year
- 424
- Admit rate
- 93%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Texas State University
- Degrees each year
- 423
- Admit rate
- 89%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
California State University-Northridge
- Degrees each year
- 397
- Admit rate
- 93%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Indiana University-Bloomington
- Degrees each year
- 395
- Admit rate
- 80%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
The University of Texas at San Antonio
- Degrees each year
- 382
- Admit rate
- 88%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Compare every college offering sports, kinesiology, and physical education/fitness