I’ve sat on both sides of the hiring table. I’ve made the call that changes a life—and I’ve watched great candidates get passed over.

If you’re chasing a career in sports, here’s the truth: it’s not just about what you know. It’s about how you think, how you communicate, and how you show up.

When teams hire, they look for:

• Problem solvers – People who can think on their feet.
• Good communicators – Written, verbal, digital—it all matters.
• Team-first attitude – No job is too small. No ego in the room.
• Follow-through – If you say you’ll do it, do it. Consistently.

You don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room. But you do need to bring value. That might be through research, creativity, a willingness to take on new tasks, or just showing up with energy when the team needs it most.

I’ve seen people with no sports background rise quickly because they understood systems, took initiative, and treated everyone—from interns to execs—with respect.

On the flip side, I’ve seen talented people get passed over because they didn’t take the opportunity seriously. They showed up late. Missed deadlines. Or worse—acted like the job owed them something.

The best advice I can give? Treat every opportunity like an audition. Because in this industry, it is.

People in sports don’t expect perfection. But they do expect you to care. To try. To contribute. That’s what gets remembered. That’s what gets rewarded.

So, whether you're applying for your first internship or your fifth full-time role—ask yourself: What am I bringing to the team today?

Because that’s the mindset that gets you hired—and keeps you growing.

— Dr. Lynn Lashbrook President, Sports Management Worldwide