Seeking your Dream College Administration Job: Be Abnormal

       In order to ultimately reach a dream job as a collegiate athletic director, what exactly is the best professional route to get there? Fitzgerald, Sagaria, and Nelson researched a five-position sequence that begins with being a collegiate athlete, high school coach, college coach, assistant or associate athletic director, and culminates with collegiate athletic director.¹ The majority that enter into the profession of athletics after an education do not initially seek that level of administration. Thus, those that desire an administration job typically make that decision at some point in a coaching career. Fitzgerald, Sagaria, and Nelson noted that being a college athlete and coaching at the collegiate level were the most frequent steps in reaching the athletic director position.¹

     The careers of athletic directors have changed significantly over the past few decades due substantially to the amount of revenue being generated as well as an increase in overall popularity of collegiate athletics. Therefore, one may see this as a career opportunity to be ‘abnormal’ in pursuit of gaining an athletic director position. Many assistant and associate athletic director positions become very specific regarding job descriptions which could open a few doors for those desiring the position. Those lacking experience as a college athlete or coach could strive to master a specific skill in direct correlation with an administration position – therefore positioning themselves as an ‘abnormal’ candidate. For example, a high school coach may be able to prove excellence in budget management, staffing, and coordinating events in order to increase market value towards an assistant athletic director position. In addition, mastering complex skills associated with administration – communication, business affairs, marketing – on top of an athletic-mind may also receive attention. Figiel recorded that unpaid internship positions are highly recommended to gain valuable experience and offer the best chance in progressing towards a dream job.² The willingness to exceed expectations in an ‘abnormal’ manner will be sought after by upper level administrators.

References

¹Fitzgerald, M., Sagaria, M.A., & Nelson, B. (1994). Career Patterns of Athletic Directors: Challenging the Conventional Wisdom. Journal of Sport Management, 8:1, 14-26.

²Figiel, Joanna. (2013). Work Experience Without Qualities? A Documentary and Critical Account of an Internship. Ephemera: Theory and Politics in Organization, 13:1, 33-52.