“How many of you want to be a professional athlete?” This is one of the questions that I asked two large groups of seventh and eighth graders at Hamden Middle School when I presented at their Career Day. Just about all of the hands in the room were up. Although I hope to see them reach their goal of becoming and succeeding as a professional athlete, the reality is that most student-athletes will go pro in something other than sports. It can be a harsh reality to some, especially when they are that young, but I wanted to be real with them. They seemed to admire the honesty.
Fortunately, they can still pursue a job in sports as it does not have to be as a professional athlete. It can be as an athletic director, a facility or event manager, a sports marketer or promoter, to name a few. I worked in athletic communications for 10+ years and have three National Championship rings from working at the Division I and II levels.
I wasn’t a player, but I was part of an important support staff that worked behind the scenes to help athletes’ succeed. It was an amazing experience!
The students I spoke to at the career day were excited when I spoke of our sport management program at Albertus. Knowing that they could pursue a career in the business of the sports industry made them excited about school. Of course, receiving an Albertus sticker was a plus as well!
About the Author
Kristen DeCarli spent 10 years working in collegiate athletics prior to becoming an instructor in the Business Administration and Management Department. She served as Associate Director of Athletics at Albertus Magnus for two years after she spent five months as Acting Director of Athletics. She came to Albertus in 2011 as Assistant Director of Athletics, Sports Information Director, and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA). She currently serves as the SWA for the College’s athletic department. Mrs. DeCarli came to Albertus after four years at UConn, where she held a position in the Athletic Communications office. While at UConn, she served as the primary media contact for eight different programs, including UConn’s powerhouse men’s soccer and baseball programs, and she worked as an assistant media contact for the famed UConn women’s basketball team.