Student Athlete’s guide to getting a job

Nearly half a million students compete as NCAA athletes, yet far fewer actually go on to professional sports after college. Some of these student athletes have goals unrelated to sports after they finish school while others do not get the opportunity to go pro. A 2018 study by the NCAA found that only about 3.5 percent of student athletes who played baseball, football, men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s ice hockey and soccer went on to play professionally.

The Student Athlete Guide to Getting a Job is a career resource designed to help current and former student-athletes successfully transition from sports to the professional workforce. The guide explains how skills developed through athletics—such as teamwork, leadership, discipline, time management, resilience, and communication—can be valuable assets in the job search process. Students can learn strategies for career planning, networking, resume writing, interviewing, and translating their athletic experiences into language that employers understand and value. The resource also highlights potential career paths and provides practical advice for building a strong professional foundation after graduation.