6paul M. Pedersen - Lucie Thibault - Contemporary Sport Management 84-88 Introcap2

Chapter 2
Developing a Professional Perspective

Sally R. Ross
Brian P. McCullough
Susan E.C. Simmons
Courtesy of Paul M. Pedersen.
Historical Moments
1924
Auditorium Managers Association founded (renamed International

Association of Venue Managers)
1966
National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics formed
84
1974
First gathering of the Stadium Managers Association held

Billie Jean King founded Women’s Sports Foundation
1978
North American Society for the Sociology of Sport formed
1986
First NASSM conference held at Kent State University
1987
Sport and Recreation Law Association established

Association for Women in Sports Media formed
NASPE published curricular guidelines
1988
Black Coaches Association founded (renamed Black Coaches and
Administrators)
1994
Sport Management Program Review Council created
1995
Korean Society for Sport Management founded
2002
Asian Association for Sport Management founded
2007
College Sport Research Institute formed
2008
Commission on Sport Management Accreditation became an accrediting

body of sport management programs
2010
African Sport Management Association founded
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2017
WASM conference held in Kaunas, Lithuania
2018
Sixth Global Sport Business Association conference held on a cruise ship to

Cozumel, Mexico
20th International Conference on Sport Management and Administration
held in Rome
Learning Objectives
Describe strategies for positioning yourself to be successful in the competitive
field of sport management after graduation.
Identify where entry-level opportunities exist and outline how to gain
experience.
Recognize the importance of professional preparation, professional attitude,
and career planning and management.
Explain the three components of an undergraduate sport management
curriculum.
Describe how students can secure and optimize their involvement in field
experiences.
Discuss ways in which your personal appearance, work transition and
adjustment, business etiquette, and social media habits can enhance your
employability and advancement.
Understand the stages involved in career planning.
Discover several resources that are useful in planning a career in sport
management.
Key Terms
adaptive skills
co-curricular activities
entrepreneur
etiquette
explicit norms
field experience
functional skills
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implicit norms
job content skills
mock interview
values
work ethic
Achieving success in most business settings requires specific knowledge, skills, and values
that students are expected to begin to acquire as undergraduates. The first step toward
developing these essentials to success involves adopting the perspective that you are now
more than simply a student. You are a professional. You cannot wait until graduation to
begin to accept the responsibilities of being a professional. Your professors expect you to
conduct yourself with professionalism while on campus, and you will gain more from your
degree program if you behave as a professional rather than just a student. The level of
commitment that you dedicate to sport management as an academic pursuit will influence
how you approach your coursework, co-curricular activities, and relationships with fellow
students and instructors. Students who embody a professional perspective early on in their
academic career will benefit through increased knowledge and opportunities. Career
readiness should be developed progressively through academic and cocurricular activities
that empower you to develop the key competencies that employers seek in job candidates.
The field of sport management is an especially competitive one. Many schools offer a major
in sport management, and there are many graduates in this field each year. In addition,
students in majors outside sport management may also be interested in working in sport.
This means that candidates from a large pool are competing for a finite number of jobs
within the sport industry. To achieve success in this competitive environment, students
must be willing to plan ahead and put forth a great deal of effort to put themselves in the
best position possible.
No matter what type of job you hope to pursue, remember that professionalism begins in
the classroom. You must understand and satisfy the requirements and learning objectives of
your courses and the expectations of professors. Arrive to class on time, be attentive and
prepared, take notes, and show interest. You should also follow the example of professionals
and use a day planner, calendar, or organizer in which you can enter assignment due dates,
exam dates, work responsibilities, and meetings. Whatever apparatus you use, keep it on
hand, update it when necessary, and refer to it often.
Making the decision to focus on your professional perspective will allow you to take
advantage of resources available to you and dedicate yourself to developing into a successful
professional. This chapter addresses three components of a professional perspective:
1. Professional preparation. The courses and experiences that you can expect in your
undergraduate curriculum and beyond.
87
2. Professional attitude. How to present a professional image, follow the fundamentals of
business etiquette, develop ethical and critical thinking skills, and enter the world of
work and be comfortable and productive there.
3. Career readiness. Purposeful steps you can take to attain and demonstrate the
competencies that broadly prepare college graduates for a successful transition into
the workplace.
88

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What are the three components of a professional perspective discussed in the chapter?

What are some ways students can gain experience in the field of sport management?

Chapter 2

Developing a Professional Perspective

Susan E.C. Simmons

Courtesy of Paul M. Pedersen.

Auditorium Managers Association founded (renamed International

First gathering of the Stadium Managers Association held

North American Society for the Sociology of Sport formed

First NASSM conference held at Kent State University

Sport and Recreation Law Association established

College Sport Research Institute formed

Commission on Sport Management Accreditation became an accrediting

African Sport Management Association founded

WASM conference held in Kaunas, Lithuania

Sixth Global Sport Business Association conference held on a cruise ship to

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