How often do you put yourself in the rooms where opportunity happens?

Sports is a relationship-driven industry. The best jobs are often filled long before they are ever posted online. That means your success is directly tied to your willingness to network, connect, and show up.

Why does networking matter so much in sports?

Because people hire people they know. They trust recommendations from colleagues, classmates, and mentors who have proven themselves. When you attend events, conferences, and seminars, you are building that trust before a job even exists.

Think about it. If two candidates have similar qualifications, but one has met the hiring manager at an SMWW conference or asked a thoughtful question during a session, who will stand out?

Attending Industry Events

Conferences, workshops, and summits are more than classroom experiences. They are live laboratories for relationship building. Every handshake, introduction, and follow-up email can turn into a stepping stone for your career.

When you attend, ask yourself:

• Who can I learn from here?
• How can I contribute to the conversation?
• What can I do to make a positive, professional impression?

Bring curiosity, business cards, and a goal for what you hope to take away. But most importantly, follow up with the people you meet. Connections fade quickly without consistent communication.

Networking Isn’t Transactional

True networking is not about collecting contacts. It is about building relationships over time. Ask questions. Show appreciation. Offer help when you can. Relationships that start authentically often lead to real opportunities later.

The more you show up, the more familiar your name becomes. The more you contribute, the more trust you build.

So ask yourself this: are you waiting for opportunity to find you, or are you showing up where opportunity already lives?

— Dr. Lynn Lashbrook President, Sports Management Worldwide