A recent study about job satisfaction among UK working professionals found that more than one-third of UK employees are dissatisfied with their jobs, with real estate scoring the highest among the sectors. Nothing is worse than being unhappy in your job, which is why it’s more important than ever to enter a profession that is enjoyable and meaningful to you.
From caring for others and teaching today’s youth to creating your own products and helping others improve their health, no matter where your passions lie, you can find a profession that aligns with them.
Suppose your interests lie within sports, it could lead you down many pathways, such as becoming a fitness instructor, coach, personal trainer, and many more fitness-related roles. But, if you’re after a role in the sports sector, you might wonder which could become a meaningful and enjoyable dream job.
If so, we’ve outlined several of the most fulfilling sports-related careers.
Sports photographer
If you enjoy commemorating memories by taking photos, especially if they involve your favourite sport, you could consider becoming a sports photographer. Although you might only see them amid some of the action, sports photographers are very in-demand, so media outlets can get their hands on top-quality images of the most-anticipated matches of the sports season.
There are pros and cons to becoming a sports photographer. One of the most significant benefits of becoming a sports photographer is getting front-row seats for some of the most highly anticipated sports events worldwide. Still, the downside is that you won’t be able to kick back with a beer and enjoy it since you’ll be too busy trying to get the perfect shot.
Although you don’t need in-depth sports knowledge to become a successful sports photographer, it certainly helps as you’ll need this understanding to predict critical moments of the match, the rules of the games, and how players will react to the unfolding events. Another advantage of this role is that you don’t require formal tutoring to apply, but it does help if you have previous experience in photography (or training!).
Suppose your end goal is to photograph for the likes of the Premier League or FIFA World Cup. In that case, you’ll need much experience before photographing the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Neymar. If you’d like to be photographing the likes of these stars, you can build experience by photographing smaller, local games and then working your way up to the big leagues.
Depending on your experience and whether you are freelance or employed, you can expect to earn as much as £18,000 and more if you choose the self-employed route. However, this can be unpredictable as the total amount of earnings you make will be dependent on how many games you attend and the shots you get.
Personal trainer
What if you’d like to combine something you’re passionate about with the ability to give back to others? Becoming a personal trainer is ideal for those who want to share their health and fitness knowledge with others and help them become the healthiest versions of themselves.
For this reason, being a personal trainer can be incredibly rewarding, but this profession can reward you in other ways besides your client’s happiness. From allowing you to choose which hours you work (depending on your client) and making a difference in clients’ lives to being your own boss and having almost unlimited earning potential, there are many benefits to choosing this job role.
This sort of work can lead to you being employed by a gym or club or working as a freelancer. However, you’ll need to get qualified before reaping the benefits of working as a personal trainer. You can do so by taking a personal trainer course which will equip you with the skills necessary for the role.
Start your journey towards becoming a personal trainer by looking at and comparing personal trainer courses to see which ones are best suited for you. Whether you’d prefer a personal trainer course in a classroom setting or entirely virtual, providers like The Fitness Group offer these courses and more.
Sports massage therapist
Another career to consider if you are passionate about sports and giving back to people is the role of a sports massage therapist. As a sports massage therapist, you will work alongside athletes to rectify any issues they might have with their physical health needs using massage therapy to alleviate pain and promote repair.
Becoming a sports massage therapist has two main pathways to becoming accredited. Either taking a degree with an academic approach or a course in sports massage. However, the latter is the most recognised among practising therapists.
Once you have all the skills, qualifications, and skills necessary to become a sports massage therapist, when you enter an entry-level position, you can expect to earn around £18 an hour if a gym employs you, which can improve as you gain more experience in the field. However, if you’d like to be freelance, you can set your own prices, but the downside is finding your clients.
Sports journalist
Do you like catching up with the behind-the-scenes action of your favourite sporting activities by reading about them in the best sports-related newspapers and magazines? Have you ever read an article and thought you could produce better content? Well, by becoming a sports journalist, you can do just that. In this role, your life revolves around your favourite sporting events and athletes.
Although you can break into sports journalism on experience alone, one of the most popular gateways is studying journalism/English-related degree or taking a course in sports journalism. Another thing that will help you advance a sports journalism career is having adequate knowledge of sporting legends, events, and strategies. Plus, it’s even better if you play.
The only downside to this sports-related career is that although you’ll get to live and breathe your passion since most sporting events aren’t held at the most sociable of times (or days!), it can involve you being in the office at less-than-desirable times which can cause you to miss out on the social aspect of the sporting events you love so much.
Regardless of your favourite sport, there are plenty of career opportunities that revolve around sports, ideal for those that are passionate about the topic. It will provide a chance to work with others who share the same excitement and admiration for sports as you, helping to make the job fun and rewarding. Fortunately, there are opportunities to grow in a sports-related career. As long as you maximise opportunities and continue growing and developing – you could score the perfect career for you.
