With the United Kingdom’s excitement about another drive for the Summer Olympics in 2012 and the consistent popularity of sports in England, graduates need to consider a career in sports. While many graduates may think that positions with sports clubs, fitness centers, and other sporting companies are reserved for athletes and experienced personnel, this is no longer the case. The massive amounts of money that go into sports sponsorship, marketing, and international sports federations have meant an increase in open graduate positions for those with the right skill set for these jobs.

Graduates need only look at the growth of sports in the United Kingdom to see the upward potential of a position in the sports industry. Football leagues in Great Britain and elsewhere in the region are incredibly popular, with jobs within football clubs, league management, and sponsoring companies. At present, the United Kingdom has just over 2,500 leisure and fitness centers, all competing for fitness clients and business in an incredibly crowded market. These centers are always looking for advertising, management, and marketing personnel to help promote their services. As well, basketball leagues and Formula One racing are big business in the United Kingdom, requiring creative personnel to help get fans interested and purchasing merchandise.

For graduates who are interested in a sports career, there are three paths they can take to reach their goal. The most traditional path toward a career in sports for non-athletes is to find work in a non-sports related firm working in law, design, architecture, and other fields. Within this capacity, a graduate can specialize in a certain area of business, such as sports. From there, graduates in these loosely related positions can make connections in sports and be involved with the major sports leagues and clubs in the United Kingdom.

Another path for UK graduates who want to be involved with sports is to apply directly with their local sports club. Surprisingly, while clubs bring in a lot of money from sponsorship and attendance, their operations are small in scale with few permanent positions. While graduates may find this path tough on the wallet book, they may find it more rewarding to directly with their favorite sports team.

A final path toward the sports industry is through the major advertising, marketing, and sales firms that help clubs get the word out. The sponsorship and advertising side of sports is big business, with professionals in sporting goods, gaming, finance, advertising, and telecommunications fields needed to ensure the smooth operation of sporting events throughout the United Kingdom. This path is perhaps the most lucrative for graduates and offers the greatest chance of advancement in the field.