Student athletes can plan a career with very little free time by using the calendar they already have: the off-season and summer for internships or job shadowing, short conversations during the season for networking, and a major chosen for where you want to go rather than only what fits practice. Use your athletic department’s advisers and the campus career center early, one small step each term.
Think in terms, not in one big push
The athletes who leave college with options rarely did one big career sprint. They did a little every term. A simple shape:
- First year: visit the career center once, start a running list of fields you are curious about and set up a basic LinkedIn profile.
- Second year: have three or four conversations with people in those fields and look for one short summer or winter experience.
- Third year: aim for an internship, a research role or a substantial project, and build a resume around it.
- Final year: run a real job or graduate school search, with your season calendar mapped against application deadlines.
If you have more than four years of eligibility or a different timeline, stretch the plan to fit. The point is steady steps.
When athletes can fit in internships
Most athletes cannot do a traditional full-time internship during the season, and that is fine. Look at the gaps you do have:
- Summer: often the main window, but many programs expect summer training. Ask your staff what is required before you accept anything.
- Winter break: a one or two week job shadow or short project, if your schedule allows.
- Off-season: a few hours a week of part-time or remote project work.
- On campus: research with a professor, a campus job in an office related to your interests or work with a student organization.
- Short experiences: a day shadowing an alum counts and gives you something real to talk about.
Our guides on how to get a college internship and planning a college summer cover the search itself.
How to network during the season
- Use travel time. One thoughtful email or LinkedIn message per road trip adds up over a season.
- Start with former athletes from your program. They know your schedule, and most are glad to talk.
- Keep it short. Ask for a 20 minute phone call, not a job. Our informational interviews guide has questions to ask.
- Follow up. A thank you note and a short update a few months later turns one call into a relationship.
- Keep a simple list of who you talked to, when and what you learned.
If reaching out feels awkward, see networking for introverts and LinkedIn for college students.
Which majors and skills keep options open
There is no single best major for athletes. What matters is choosing one you can stay engaged in and that points somewhere you might want to go. Be careful about picking a major only because its classes fit practice; check with your academic adviser how a major’s required courses line up with your athletic schedule before ruling it out.
Whatever you study, a few skills travel to almost any field: clear writing, comfort with spreadsheets and data, speaking in front of a group, and one practical tool or technical skill relevant to your interests. See how to choose a major and our college majors guide.
How to use the athletic department’s resources
Offerings vary a lot by school and division, so ask what exists rather than assuming.
- Academic advisers for athletes help with course planning around the season and staying on track to graduate.
- Student-athlete development or life skills staff, where they exist, may run career workshops, employer events or alumni connections.
- The campus career center is open to you like any other student. Book appointments in the off-season.
- The compliance office is the place to ask before you take a paid job or a name, image and likeness opportunity, so you understand the rules that apply to you.
- Former athletes from your program are often the most useful resource of all.
Where a mentor helps
Knowing what to do is rarely the problem for athletes; finding the hour to do it is. A mentor helps you pick one career step a week that fits the season, keeps it on the calendar and checks in between sessions. See mentoring for student athletes and our guide to time management for college athletes. If your playing days are ending, mentoring for athletes after sports covers that change.
Related
- Time management for college athletes
- Life after college sports
- Job search for college seniors
- Career and education mentoring
- Who Am I Without My Sport? Rebuilding Identity After Athletics
- When Your Teen Will Not Play in College: Moving Forward
Common questions
Can student athletes do internships?
Yes, though often in shorter or less traditional forms: summer when training allows, winter break job shadows, off-season part-time work or on-campus research.
Do I have to choose an easy major because of my sport?
No. Talk with your academic adviser about how a major’s requirements fit your schedule before deciding; many athletes complete demanding majors with careful planning.
Should I check with compliance before taking a job?
Yes. Your compliance office can explain which rules apply to paid work and name, image and likeness opportunities at your school.
When should student athletes start career planning?
In the first year, with small steps like a career center visit and a list of interests. Steady progress each term beats a rush in the final year.
Get started
Want help fitting career steps into a full season? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.