As a lifelong fan of the Atlanta Falcons, Josh Dekker realized if he was going to achieve his dream of working for the black and red he was going to need a leg up on the competition.

“Taking Sports Management Worldwide’s Football GM and Scouting course was the best way for me to further my knowledge of football,” recalls Dekker. “Doing my own player evaluations each week and studying different position players made me realize how much more I could learn about the details associated with play calling and team chemistry.”

Some of the most important lessons Dekker learned were outside the realm of play, as he began to understand thriving in sports isn’t just about X’s and O’s, it’s about attitude and willingness.

“The most memorable concept that I learned from my course was to be consistent and confident when working at your job. It’s important to recognize you can control how much effort you put into your opportunities.”

Dekker’s determination and willingness to work impressed Football GM and Scouting mentors Mark Dominik and Russ Lande, and helped lead to Dekker’s first job in the sports industry as a Fan Services Associate with the Atlanta Falcons.

“When I came to a Career Expo in Atlanta, I had the opportunity to meet various members of local professional sports teams. As I introduced myself, I shared that I took a course with Sports Management Worldwide to deepen my knowledge and passion for the NFL. One of them was familiar with SMWW and mentioned that he knows a few people in his network who had taken a course as well. All in all, it was helpful in showcasing my passion for football and wanting to work in the NFL.”

In his new role as a Fan Services Associate with the Atlanta Falcons, Josh manages and provides exceptional customer service for hundreds of season ticket holders, assists with inbound calls from season ticket inquiries and helps the season ticket member experience feel special.

Josh hopes to someday work in the front office or on the field, but he’s open to whatever opportunity comes next and knows from his mentors, Mark Domink and Russ Lande, that hard work always gets noticed.

“Anyone out there considering taking a course with SMWW needs to know that it is a great step towards their career in sports. The networking and knowledge that you can take away from whatever course you choose will be a huge benefit to your career!”

Congratulations Josh – we’ll be watching as you advance in your sports career!