Sports and Recreation
With the London 2012 Olympics on the horizon and government investment in sports at an all-time high, there has never been a better time for graduates to enter the sports sector. There are also more opportunities than ever before for aspiring personal trainers and fitness professionals, as people become more conscious of the link between fitness and health.
The sports and recreation industry as a whole employs over half a million people in the UK in a wide range of areas including sport development, performance and management, instructing and coaching, education, outdoor pursuits and adventure tourism.
Graduates interested in the sector could consider working in one of around 6000 health and leisure centres in the UK, which employ 45,000 members of staff. Some of the bigger chains offer graduate internships in management, sales and marketing.
If you have a passion for cinema or think you would enjoy the challenge of running a business based around outdoor pursuits then a career in recreation could be perfect for you.
Irregular hours, shift and weekend work are common in the sports and recreation industry. If you are passionate about sports and fitness, then working in the industry can be hugely enjoyable and having the opportunity to contribute to the health and fitness of others can be very rewarding. Equally, a career in recreation, while challenging can also be loads of fun.
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After training the average wage for this industry is between £20,000 and £35,000 per year. Sports instructors earn an average of £23,100 per year, while sports centre managers have an average salary of £41,000.
A degree in sports science or a related subject is valued by employers in the sport and recreation industry but practical experience and a passion for sports are probably more important. Some specialised roles such as a sports performance analyst or sports psychologist require a postgraduate or masters degree. There are many opportunities to volunteer in the sports sector to gain valuable work experience.
A high level of physical fitness will certainly be beneficial if you would like to pursue a career in the sports sector. It is also important that you are a confident communicator with good leadership, teamwork and customer service skills.
