Choosing Athletic Coaching as a Career Path

Choosing Athletic Coaching as a Career PathChoosing Athletic Coaching as a Career PathA coachorganizes amateur and professional athletes and teaches them the fundamentals of a sport. He or she trains them to compete as a team or individually. Some coaches recruit new players for college and professional teams. Quick Facts Coachesmedian annual earningswere $31,000 in 2015.Along with athletic scouts, whose primary responsibility is recruiting athletes, they held approximately 251,000 jobs in 2014.*fruchtwein coaches worked for educational institutions, including high schools and colleges. Others work for community organizations. Professional teams also employ coaches.This occupation hasa goodjob outlook. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predictions, employment will grow as fast as the average for all occupations through 2024. *NoteThe US Bureau of Labor Statistics combines wage and employment data for Coaches and Scouts. Job Duties These are some typical job du ties taken from online ads for coaching positions found onIndeed.com Initiate problem resolutionAssist in scouting and recruiting activitiesMonitor individualstudent-athleteprogress to ensure academic eligibilityTeach and instruct all aspects ofgamePromote sportsmanship and foster good character in student athletesSupervise students in practice areas, locker rooms and on busesEncourage student participation and establish rapportMaintain equipment and uniforms What You May Not Like About Being a Coach Since games are often on evenings, weekends, and holidays, coaches can expect to work during hours that many other people do not.Those whose work involves outdoor sports may have to deal with exposure to inclement weather. Educational and Other Requirements Coaches who work in high schools are usually teachers and therefore must meet all the qualifications for that occupation, including having a bachelors degree. Those who work in a college usually need a bachelors degree too. D egree programs specifically related to coaching include exercise and sports science, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition and fitness, physical education, and sports medicine. fruchtwein employers expect those they hire to have participated in the sport they want to coach. High school coaches, particularly those who work in public schools, usually need to be certified. This typically requires training in CPR and first aid, and sometimes in sports safety and coaching fundamentals as well. Some private schools do not require certification. What Soft Skills Do You Need? In addition to knowledge about the sport you want to coach and certification, you will also need certain soft skills. They are Leadership This skill set will allow you to influence the athletes you are coachingListening and Speaking You will need excellent communication skills in order to effectively teach and convey information to your team or individual athletes.Decision Making During games, you must quickly be able to make decisions.Interpersonal SkillsThese people skills are essential as they will allow you to relate well to your players. How to Advance As a Coach It is likely you will beginyour career as an assistant coach, as many who work in this occupation do. After gaining the necessary knowledge and experience, you may eventually become a head coach. If you want to compete at the highest levels of a school sport, you will need substantial experience as a head or assistant coach at a smaller school. Head coaches at larger schools that strive to compete at the highest levels of a sport require substantial experience at another school. Coaching a professional sports team requires years of experience and a winning record in the lower ranks. WhatEmployers ExpectFrom You To learn what qualities, other than skills and experience, employers are looking for when they hire coaches, we took a look at jobs listed on Indeed.com. This is what we found Demonstrates organizational ability, and attention to detail and accuracyBe able to give clear and precise directionsMust possess good safety awareness and judgmentFun, positive, enthusiastic attitudeKnowledge of and interest in diverse cultures and populationsYou need to immerse yourself in the sport and keep up to date on all the latest developments and innovative training methods and techniquesBackground Check REQUIRED Is This Career a Good Fit? Holland Code SER (Social, Enterprising, Realistic)MBTI Personality TypesESTJ, ESFJ, ESTP, ISTP, ESFP(Tieger, Paul D., Barron, Barbara, and Tieger, Kelly. (2014)Do What You Are. NY Hatchette Book Group.) Occupations With Related Activities and Tasks TitleDescriptionAnnual Salary (2015)Educational RequirementsUmpire / RefereeMakes sure players and teams are following rules during sports competitions$24,870Varies by stateChoreographerCreates new dance routines or interpretations of established ones auditions dancers$45,940Dance trainingProfessional AthleteCompetes in an org anized sport individually or as part of a team$44,680Private or group lessonsDirectorTends to the creative aspects of films, tv shows, and stage shows, making sure these productions run smoothly$68,440Bachelors degree in the discipline in which you want to work