It seems like it was just yesterday that I pondered this question for myself. Senior year of my undergraduate career had just kicked off and the only thing I knew for certain was that I wanted to work in sports, college or professional - no preference at that point at time. So, where was I to begin?
At first, I thought I could get a job - how naive I was... I was a student-athlete and I had very little professional work experience. All of my "spare" time was wrapped up in volunteer opportunities I had with SAAC and National SAAC. I thought those experiences would be enough to translate into a position at an athletic department or in a professional sports organization. My only work experience at that point in time was a brief retail stint at Old Navy and multiple summers coaching tennis to kids. I learned pretty early on that I didn't want to work in retail or fold t-shirts ever again... now I just roll them. Irony at its finest.
Anyway, I digress... I started to look at job boards online (NACDA and NCAA Market), I noticed the positions I had interest in didn't require a postgraduate degree but it was a preferred qualification for job candidates. I had no luck getting my foot in the door for any full-time positions, so I began researching graduate school programs around the country, trying to figure out what would be the best fit for me. I'm sure I could have reached outside the realm of working in sports and found some type of job, but my heart was set. Which fueled my choice to go to graduate school and pursue my master’s in sports management. I felt that a postgraduate degree would put me in a better position to get a job.
Let's be clear, if I had a full-time job waiting for me out of undergrad - I would've taken it in a heartbeat. However, I will say on record, I would have been severely underprepared and completely overwhelmed.
Fast forward over 5 years later, going to graduate school ended up working out for me. Now, when an ambitious and hardworking student intern asks me what they should do, I share this story. I always tell them there's a crucial caveat to this. Going to graduate school does not equate a job upon graduation automatically, jobs in the sports industry are limited and highly competitive. The two years I spent working for an athletic department while in graduate school helped me transition and hone my skills - most importantly affirmed my career choice and helped me develop what my strengths were as a young professional.
Let's get this straight, as a graduate assistant I messed up a lot but I also learned many skills I still use today in my current position. I gained work experience and found amazing mentors that provided guidance as I was trying to figure out the next step of my life. Which I have realized, will be a common reoccurrence in my career and I'm sure will be for the rest of my life. I was pushed to work hard, think creatively and be better than I was the day before. The athlete mentality never changes, I just found a new way to apply it.
If the 27 year old version ran into the 22 year old version of myself, I would tell her to go to graduate school. For me, it provided just enough time for me to get my feet wet and to see if working in college athletics was what I really wanted to do.
At the end of the day, it’s the experience you have acquired during your undergraduate career that will really influence your decision. If you have the job you want waiting for you after your senior year in college, I would say take it – a graduate degree can come later. If you don’t have job you want waiting for you, graduate school is a great way to gain experience so that you’ll be in a better position to get the job you want.
Either way, remember that no matter where you are or what you’re doing – you need to work hard and be kind to others. Success always follows sincerity and passion.