Ty Collins

Author: Ty Collins

Careers in Sports Marketing

Sports marketing sits at the intersection of business, storytelling, and the energy of live sports. It is the work behind how teams, leagues, athletes, and brands connect with fans and turn that connection into engagement, loyalty, and revenue. If you have ever seen a viral team video, a packed stadium promotion, or a memorable sponsorship campaign, you have already seen sports marketing in action.

For students who love sports but also enjoy communication, creativity, and strategy, this field offers a wide range of career paths.

What Is Sports Marketing?

Sports marketing involves promoting sports-related products, events, and experiences. This can include professional teams, college athletics, sporting events, athletic apparel companies, or even individual athletes.

At its core, the industry focuses on three goals:

  • Building and maintaining fan engagement
  • Increasing attendance, viewership, and sales
  • Creating strong partnerships between brands and sports organizations

Work in this field can happen behind the scenes in offices, in stadiums on game days, or across digital platforms where fans interact with content every day.

What to Study at Lawrence

There is no single required major for entering sports marketing, which makes the field flexible for students with different interests. However, at Lawrence, English, Business & Entrepreneurship, and Data Science and Statistics might be especially helpful.

Classes in video production and editing, and in graphic design are also useful. What matters most is building a strong foundation in communication, business thinking, and audience engagement.

Skills That Matter Most

Sports marketing is a fast-moving field that values both creativity and professionalism. Key skills include:

  • Communication skills: Clear writing, storytelling, and audience awareness
  • Digital and social media skills: Creating content and engaging fans online
  • Teamwork: Collaborating across departments and partners
  • Organization: Managing deadlines, events, and campaigns
  • Creativity: Developing fresh ideas in a competitive environment
  • Data awareness: Understanding engagement and performance metrics

Internships

Internships are one of the most important entry points into sports marketing. The industry is competitive, and employers often expect students to have hands-on experience before graduating.

Students can build experience by:

  • Applying to college athletics departments
  • Working with campus recreation or intramural programs
  • Volunteering at local sporting events
  • Managing social media for student organizations
  • Seeking internships with minor league or local teams

Networking is also important. Career fairs, alumni connections, and informational interviews can lead to opportunities that are not always publicly posted.

How to Get a Full-Time Job

Most students begin in entry-level roles such as:

  • Marketing Coordinator
  • Social Media Assistant
  • Ticket Sales Representative
  • Fan Engagement Coordinator
  • Sponsorship Assistant

Employers typically look for:

  • Internship or applied experience
  • Strong communication and digital skills
  • A portfolio of work or campaigns
  • Demonstrated passion for sports and fan engagement

Many professionals start in seasonal or entry-level roles and grow into specialized positions over time.

Who Hires Sports Marketers

Sports marketing professionals work across many types of organizations, including:

  • Professional sports teams
  • College and university athletic departments
  • Sports leagues and governing bodies
  • Athletic apparel and equipment brands
  • Marketing and advertising agencies
  • Event management companies
  • Media and broadcasting organizations
  • Esports organizations
  • Community recreation programs

Large organizations such as the NFL or major college athletic departments often have structured marketing teams, while smaller organizations provide broader, hands-on experience early in a career.

Career Outlook

Sports marketing is expected to grow steadily over the next decade due to several trends:

  • Expansion of digital and social media marketing
  • Increased use of data and analytics
  • Growth in women’s sports and emerging leagues
  • Global expansion of sports audiences
  • Rise of esports and new entertainment formats

Competition for entry-level roles will remain strong, but opportunities will continue to grow for candidates with digital skills, creativity, and real-world experience.

Final Thoughts

Sports marketing is more than promoting games, it is about shaping how fans experience sports and connect with teams and athletes. It is a field for people who enjoy energy, creativity, and collaboration, and who want their work to feel dynamic and meaningful.

If you enjoy sports and are also drawn to storytelling, community building, and creative problem-solving, sports marketing may be a path worth exploring. Start early, seek out experience, and stay curious. The industry rewards those who are willing to learn and engage!

Exploring Law Degrees Other than and Beyond the JD: Pathways for Students Interested in Law and Justice

Choosing a career connected to the law doesn’t always mean becoming an attorney. There are a wide range of graduate degrees available, some designed for practicing lawyers and others built for professionals who want to understand legal systems without stepping into a courtroom. For students interested in justice, policy, advocacy, or compliance work, these programs can open doors to meaningful careers that don’t require a Juris Doctor (JD).

Below is a guide to the most common law-related graduate degrees other than the JD, as well as some that go beyond the JD, what they offer, and who typically pursues them.

Master of Jurisprudence (MJ or M.Jur.)

Who it’s for:
Students and professionals who want to understand legal issues in their fields but do not want to become licensed attorneys.

What you’ll learn:
MJ programs introduce the fundamentals of legal reasoning, regulatory systems, and core areas of law. Students may pursue concentrations such as:

  • Employment and labor law
  • Corporate compliance
  • Health law
  • Education law
  • Criminal justice policy

Career impact:
Graduates often work in HR, healthcare administration, government agencies, school districts, or compliance-focused roles where understanding the law leads to better decisions and stronger leadership.

Master of Legal Studies (MLS) or Master of Studies in Law (MSL)

Who it’s for:
Non-lawyers seeking a solid grounding in legal concepts relevant to their professions.

What you’ll learn:
The MLS/MSL covers foundational legal subjects—contracts, regulations, ethics, administrative law, and legal writing—without the professional obligations of a JD. Many programs offer flexible formats and specialized tracks such as:

  • Public policy
  • Environmental regulation
  • Cybersecurity and privacy
  • Social justice
  • Intellectual property concepts for non-lawyers

Career impact:
Professionals in business, nonprofits, government, education, and technology use the MLS/MSL to improve their ability to interpret laws, collaborate with attorneys, and navigate complex regulatory environments.

Master of Laws (LLM)

Who it’s for:
Lawyers who already hold a JD

What you’ll learn:
An LLM provides advanced training in a specialized legal area. Popular options include:

  • Environmental or natural resources law
  • Human rights and humanitarian law
  • International business law
  • Intellectual property and technology law
  • Taxation

Career impact:
LLM graduates deepen their expertise, expand their career options, and meet eligibility requirements for certain U.S. bar exams.

Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD or SJD)

Who it’s for:
Existing lawyers seeking the highest academic credential in law, similar to a PhD.

What you’ll learn:
JSD/SJD students conduct original, in-depth legal research and produce a dissertation. Programs often include teaching opportunities and close mentoring from faculty scholars.

Career impact:
Graduates often become university professors, legal researchers, policy analysts, or advisors in government agencies, think tanks, and NGOs.

Doctor of Juridical Studies (JJD)

Who it’s for:
Lawyers pursuing a terminal research doctorate in law.

What you’ll learn:
Available at only a few institutions, the JJD mirrors the JSD/SJD format—advanced coursework, rigorous research, and a dissertation focused on complex legal issues.

Career impact:
Ideal for those interested in academic careers, public policy leadership, or high-level legal research.

Which Degree Is Right for You?

If you’re curious about law but unsure whether law school is the right path, degrees like the MJ and MLS offer legal literacy without requiring bar licensure. Students planning to become attorneys may gravitate toward advanced programs like the LLM, JSD/SJD or JJD.

Each program supports different goals, from strengthening your career in compliance or public policy to preparing for global practice or academic research. Thinking about a future related to law, justice, or policy—even if you’re not planning to become a lawyer—opens up a world of possibilities.

Your Language Degree: Passport to entry-level jobs and a Career

You’ve made the decision to study a language!  Whether it’s English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, or Russian, you are on your way to developing valuable skills like strong communication, cultural understanding, and critical thinking. While it might not seem obvious, many entry-level jobs right out of college want those exact skills, even if they don’t seem like “language jobs.”

Here are some great entry-level roles that require little to no experience beyond your college degree, where your language skills can give you a big advantage!

Jobs Where Language is a Major Asset

These roles often specifically look for people who can speak and understand a second language.

Bilingual Customer Service Representative

  • What you do: You help customers with their questions or problems over the phone, email, or chat, using your second language (like Spanish, Chinese, or Russian) for customers who don’t speak English well.

Why you fit

  • Companies with international clients need you to be the friendly voice that can understand and solve issues for everyone.

Experience to get in college

  • Look for on-campus jobs or part-time work in call centers, retail, or hospitality where you can use your language skills to help people.


Translator or Transcriber

  • What you do: You convert written text (like documents, websites, or articles) from one language to another, making sure the meaning and tone are just right. A transcriber converts audio into written text.

Why you fit

  • You’ve spent years perfecting your understanding of two languages and their cultures.

Experience to get in college

  • Offer to translate or transcribe for professors, student organizations, or local non-profits. Consider using freelance websites to take on small translation gigs.

Foreign Language Teacher/Tutor

What you do

  • You teach your major language (like French or Japanese) to students in a school or through private lessons.

Why you fit

  • Your passion for the language and deep knowledge of grammar and culture make you a natural teacher.

Experience to get in college

  • Volunteer as a tutor at a campus resource center, or lead informal language practice groups.

Jobs That Need Strong Writing and Communication

These roles value the excellent communication, writing, and research skills you developed while studying literature and language. Your foreign language degree is a bonus that can set you apart!

Content Writer / Copywriter

What you do

  • You create written material (called “content” or “copy”) for a company, such as blog posts, website text, social media updates, or advertisements.

Why you fit

  • Your language major taught you how to write clearly, persuade people, and match your writing style to any audience.

Experience to get in college

  • Write for the school newspaper, campus magazine, or a club’s newsletter. Start a personal blog or create content for a local business’s social media.

Editorial or Publishing Assistant

What you do

  • You support a book or magazine editor by reading manuscripts, checking facts, proofreading, and organizing projects.

Why you fit

  • You have a keen eye for detail, grammar, and structure—skills essential for quality writing and publishing.

Experience to get in college

  • Work for the school newspaper. Get an internship at a publishing company.

Marketing or Communications Assistant

What you do

  • You help manage how a company talks to the public and its customers. This could include drafting press releases, helping with email campaigns, or updating company social media.

Why you fit

  • Your understanding of how language works, plus your ability to think about different cultures, is perfect for connecting with diverse markets.

Experience to get in college

  • Get an internship in a company’s marketing or public relations department, or manage communications for a large student organization.

The Skills That Matters Most

Remember, your degree is more than just a piece of paper. You’ve proven you can:

1) Analyze and Interpret: Break down complex texts, ideas, or spoken words.

2) Communicate Effectively: Write and speak clearly to different people.

3) Adapt and Learn: Pick up new concepts (or languages!) quickly.

These transferable skills are what employers truly want!

USAJOBS Resume Best Practices (October 2025)


Per the new Federal Merit Hiring Plan, all federal resumes are not to exceed two pages as of October 2025. USAJOBS has created a technical solution that will limit resumes to two pages when submitting applications or using the USAJOBS resume builder. Below are some best practices when navigating these changes and rewriting the federal resume.

Content:
• Prioritize recent work experience that is most relevant to the duties and qualifications listed on the job announcement. “Recent experience” and “relevant experience” are not the same thing. De-prioritize or remove non-relevant and outdated work experience.
• Align any work experience on the resume to qualifications listed on the job announcement.
• Use plain language that is understood by HR specialists and hiring managers. When you apply for a job, an HR Specialist will most likely review your resume first to determine whether you are qualified for the job.
• Use language that is results focused and includes numbers and metrics to quantify your work.
• You can include volunteer work, internships, and other non-paid work; these will still count towards your total years of experience.
• Ask yourself: Can the HR professional reading this, who may not have direct experience in my field, understand my experience in 10-15 seconds?

Formatting:
• USAJOBS recommends using at a minimum of .5 margins, 10-pt size font for main content and 14-pt size for headings.
• Use a font that is easy to read, such as Lato, Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Source Sans Pro, Roboto or Noro Sans.
• Uploading a PDF resume is the best practice to maintain formatting and the number of pages, but many file types are accepted.

Make your resume searchable:
• Recruiters may contact people in their database to apply for jobs not posted on USAJOBS or only available at career fairs.
• Resumes can only be searchable for 18 months, and only 1 resume at a time can be searchable.
• Only 1–2-page resumes will be searchable; all resumes that were previously searchable expired in September 2025, so USAJOBS users will need to go back and update the searchable resume.

To learn more about the changes to federal resumes and other hiring considerations in the federal government, USAJOBS and OPM on LinkedIn.

How AI Can Help Launch Your Career in the Communications Field

As graduation approaches, many students aiming for careers in communications, journalism, publishing, marketing or other writing-intensive fields face a competitive job market. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) can streamline the job search process, from identifying potential employers to preparing for interviews.

Discovering Opportunities with AI

AI tools can assist in identifying organizations that align with your interests and values. For instance, platforms like ChatGPT can help you:

  • Generate lists of companies or publications in your desired field.
  • Analyze job descriptions to understand common requirements.

Additionally, AI-driven job boards can match your skills and preferences with suitable opportunities.

Researching Organizations

Understanding a company’s culture and values is crucial. AI can assist by summarizing information from company websites, news articles, and industry forums, providing insights into their communication strategies and recent initiatives.

Crafting Personalized Applications

AI can aid in drafting resumes and cover letters that highlight your relevant experiences and skills. By analyzing job descriptions, AI tools can suggest language that aligns with the organization’s requirements.

However, it’s essential to personalize AI-generated content to reflect your genuine voice and experiences. Recruiters can often detect generic applications, so infuse your materials with personal anecdotes and specific achievements.

Preparing for Interviews

AI-powered interview simulators can help you practice responses to common questions in the communications field, such as handling tight deadlines or managing editorial calendars. These tools can provide feedback on your answers, helping you refine your communication skills.

Furthermore, AI can analyze company communications and public relations materials to help you understand their messaging style and values, allowing you to tailor your responses accordingly.

Benefits and Considerations of Using AI

Benefits:

  • Efficiency: AI streamlines job search processes, saving time and effort.
  • Customization: Tailors applications to specific roles and organizations.
  • Preparation: Enhances interview readiness through simulated practice.

Considerations:

  • Authenticity: Ensure AI-generated content reflects your genuine voice and experiences.
  • Accuracy: Verify information provided by AI tools to avoid potential inaccuracies.
  • Overreliance: Use AI as a supplement to, not a replacement for, personal effort and judgment.

Conclusion

By thoughtfully integrating AI into your job search strategy, you can enhance your prospects in the communications sector. Remember, while AI offers valuable support, your passion, dedication, and personal insights are irreplaceable assets in pursuing a career that makes a meaningful difference.

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Your Job Search in Education and Nonprofit Sectors

As graduation approaches, many Lawrence students aspire to make a meaningful impact through careers in education or the nonprofit sector. Navigating the job market can be challenging, but Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers tools to streamline your search and enhance your applications.

Discovering Opportunities with AI

AI-powered platforms can assist in identifying roles in education such as teaching assistants, curriculum developers, or educational technologists. In the nonprofit realm, AI tools can help uncover organizations that resonate with your values. By inputting your interests and desired impact areas, AI can suggest nonprofits working in those spaces. Tools like ChatGPT can help you identify institutions that align with your educational philosophy and understand job requirements by analyzing multiple postings.

Researching Prospective Employers

Understanding a school’s culture and values is crucial. AI can assist by summarizing information from school websites, news articles, and educational forums, providing insights into their teaching methodologies and community involvement. For nonprofits, AI tools can analyze annual reports, mission statements, and donor communications to give you a comprehensive view of an organization’s impact and priorities.

Crafting Personalized Applications

AI can aid in drafting resumes and cover letters that highlight your relevant experiences and skills. By analyzing job descriptions, AI tools can suggest language that aligns with the school’s requirements. In the nonprofit sector, storytelling is key. AI can help you articulate your passion and commitment to the cause, crafting compelling narratives that resonate with hiring managers.

Preparing for Interviews

AI-powered interview simulators can help you practice responses to common questions in the education field, such as classroom management scenarios or curriculum development discussions. For nonprofit interviews, AI can simulate behavioral questions that assess your alignment with the organization’s mission and values.

Benefits and Considerations of Using AI

Benefits:

  • Efficiency: AI streamlines job search processes, saving time and effort.
  • Customization: Tailors applications to specific roles and organizations.
  • Preparation: Enhances interview readiness through simulated practice.

Considerations:

  • Authenticity: Ensure AI-generated content reflects your genuine voice and experiences.
  • Accuracy: Verify information provided by AI tools to avoid potential inaccuracies.
  • Overreliance: Use AI as a supplement to, not a replacement for, personal effort and judgment.

By thoughtfully integrating AI into your job search strategy, you can enhance your prospects in the education and nonprofit sectors. Remember, while AI offers valuable support, your passion, dedication, and personal insights are irreplaceable assets in pursuing a career that makes a meaningful difference.