What is the purpose of this text?
The purpose of this text is to define the meaning of career planning after an elite sports career. It also presents new challenges and benefits of planning a career after elite sports, and concludes with practical suggestions on how to plan it successfully and realistically.
What is a career?
A career represents several years spent competing in sport at a high level, striving towards goals within a specific professional and life environment.
In order to plan your life career, you need to clearly define your goals and think about the stages that will lead to the end of your sports career. Therefore, it is important to develop a strategy that will help your plans succeed.
Possible career paths after sports
- While still an elite athlete, you pursue academic or professional goals alongside your sport.
- While still an elite athlete, you become involved in the work of your club or federation.
- After finishing your sports career, you start a new profession.
Why is it important to plan your career in advance?
Numerous studies show that preparing for a career after sport while still active significantly reduces the difficulties that may arise after retirement from sport.
Career planning can provide additional energy and confidence when facing obstacles on the path to achieving sporting goals. If you are in an environment where thinking about a post-sport career is considered negative or distracting, it is important to seek support elsewhere.
Planning a career after sport requires time, as it tests your ability to think broadly, organize your weekly schedule, and realistically assess your future opportunities. In that sense, it is also an excellent psychological preparation for upcoming challenges.
How should I plan my career after sports?
Career planning after sport helps you successfully transition out of sport, which is why it is important that you take the initiative while seeking appropriate guidance and support.
If you are a young athlete, career planning usually develops in two directions: education on one side (possibly with adjusted schedules), and training and competitions on the other.
At a later stage of your sports development, you can prepare your career in the following ways:
- Use your sports career to build a network of contacts that can help you find employment.
- Think about the skills gained in sport that can be transferred to other professions.
- Create a list of your interests outside of sport.
- Use your free time to learn about fields of interest and the work experience required for them.