Retirement is one of the few certainties an athlete will face in his athletic career and most of the athletes will need to get a 9 to 5 job to be able to cope financially after their career ends. Unfortunately, research shows that athletes are often unwilling to plan in advance for their careers after sport and in combination with the fact that, most athletes don’t have any previous work experience in a full-time job, and may have missed out on education because of their sporting commitments, makes the transition even harder.
To avoid being unprepared after your sports career ends, start planning your life after sports early—ideally, as soon as you begin chasing your athletic dreams.
First, think about what you want to do when you retire. Many athletes stay in sports as coaches, trainers, or scouts, but you have many other options. Identify your passions and explore careers that match them. Research the industries you’re interested in and list the skills, experience, and education needed. If you need specific qualifications, consider taking courses to become a strong candidate.
As an athlete, you develop valuable transferable skills like organization, adaptability, dedication, patience, self-motivation, and performing well under pressure. These skills apply well beyond sports.
To transition successfully, use your transferable skills, build personal resilience, pursue education, and grow your professional network. Networking can help you discover opportunities and explore new roles outside sports.
Leverage contacts made during your sports career. If you lack connections in your desired field, actively build new ones.
Prepare your job application materials ahead of time. Create a strong CV and cover letter that show why you’re the right fit. Practice interviewing to make a great impression when the time comes.
If you have any questions on how to transition to your life after the end of your sports career you can contact us at [email protected] .