Health & Fitness
Attention Recent College Graduates: So You Think You Have What It Takes To Work In Professional Sports? Career Development-Social Media
Your passion has always been Sports. It’s been a huge part of your life since you were a kid. You grew up playing every sport you could imagine. You graduated high school, went on to college. Now, the time has come to land your first job. Right? Well, let’s start by compiling a check list of your accomplishments.
First, you’ve earned your College degree, awesome, Check. You even furthered your education and finished your Masters, double Check. You have worked countless hours, secured multiple internships, and even made some connections in the Sports Industry. You have excellent references, decent recommendations from your professors, performed community service and volunteer work. You have produced a resume which at least on paper makes you a frontrunner for getting a job. Check, Check, Check.
All are fantastic personal and career achievements. You should be incredibly proud and commended for all your hard work and dedication. Now you’re that much closer to another Check,” the proverbial first interview”. That’s where you get the opportunity to sell yourself to your prospective employer with the intentions of landing a job.
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Oh yeah, speaking of those resumes? You have sent out hundreds and even hundreds more, and still no interview? Frustrated? Don’t get discouraged, no reason to be and here’s why. Social Media. That’s right. Have you given any thought to using technology as a means to opening some career doors? Well, I for one have and it’s done wonders for me.
Utilizing Social Media has helped me secure employment and make countless connections in the world of Sports. Technology has even afforded me the opportunity to connect and meet with some of the most respected practitioners in field of Higher Education. How have I been able to do this ? Here’s how.
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LinkedIn and Twitter are two social media platforms which come to mind. LinkedIn, www.linkedin.com, is a business professional’s network which helped me land a position at the Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets, and soon to be NY Islanders. No question, I have relied heavily on LinkedIn as a means of creating my own personal brand. LinkedIn is also really neat in that you can create your own networking groups with others having similar interests. I created two such groups, Positive Youth Sports Development and Sports Security Professionals.
Ok, so maybe you’re thinking that I am in a little different position as a second career individual. Nonetheless, I have found that social media platforms are an excellent resource to accomplishing your professional goals.
On a personal note, my career plans at this time are in Higher Education. My background is primarily in the areas of Security and Public Safety. My current interests are in Adjunct teaching and pursuing a PhD. My specialties are in Sports Security for Stadiums and Venues along with Facilities Management.
Believe me; I have a passion for Sports just like you. I also have a passion for Teaching. LinkedIn has provided me the good fortune and honor of being a guest speaker at several NY Colleges. I have made presentations at such schools as Adelphi, St. John’s, Lehman and St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn. I have spoken in front of many students majoring in sport management. Throughout my presentations, I have discovered that college students need just a little encouragement. I am a proponent of the mantra, “Motivation through Inspiration”. I really enjoy seeing the looks on the student’s faces that shows excitement and hope for a bright future. I let them know that by being professionally persistent, hard work, dedication and effort will bring good results.
Furthermore by establishing connections via social media and most importantly having a positive attitude will take you far in life. Quite honestly, teaching for me is extremely rewarding. I guess that’s where my motivation for this noble profession comes from. Students need teachers to motivate and inspire to them to see the world as having endless possibilities.
If you feel inspired after reading my Blog, I would suggest setting up your own LinkedIn account and see where social media can take you. Who knows, you too may be able to land the job of your dreams.
Good Luck & Congratulations to the Class of 2013.
James A. DeMeo is a longtime Port Washington resident. He is a retired Detective with the Nassau County Police Department having 21 years of law enforcement experience. His interests are in Adjunct Teaching and pursuing a PhD. He has recently spoken with local College students encouraging them to work hard and make their dreams a reality. Mr. DeMeo’s LinkedIn profile is
