All careers

Athletes and Sports Competitors

  • Bright Outlook
  • Rapid Growth

Compete in athletic events.

What you’d do

  • Assess performance following athletic competition, identifying strengths and weaknesses and making adjustments to improve future performance.
  • Maintain equipment used in a particular sport.
  • Attend scheduled practice or training sessions.
  • Maintain optimum physical fitness levels by training regularly, following nutrition plans, or consulting with health professionals.
  • Participate in athletic events or competitive sports, according to established rules and regulations.
  • Exercise or practice under the direction of athletic trainers or professional coaches to develop skills, improve physical condition, or prepare for competitions.
  • Receive instructions from coaches or other sports staff prior to events and discuss performance afterwards.
  • Represent teams or professional sports clubs, performing such activities as meeting with members of the media, making speeches, or participating in charity events.

Skills that matter

  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Coordination
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Monitoring

How to get there

Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

Also called

  • Baseball Player
  • Golf Professional
  • Hockey Player
  • Race Car Driver
  • Baseball Pitcher
  • Basketball Player

Related careers

See all careers

  • Coaches and Scouts

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Instruct or coach groups or individuals in the fundamentals of sports for the primary purpose of competition.

    Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree

  • Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Officiate at competitive athletic or sporting events. Detect infractions of rules and decide penalties according to established regulations.

    Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

  • Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Instruct or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities for the primary purpose of personal fitness.

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

  • Amusement and Recreation Attendants

    • Bright Outlook
    • Numerous Job Openings

    Perform a variety of attending duties at amusement or recreation facility.

    Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

  • Athletic Trainers

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Evaluate and treat musculoskeletal injuries or illnesses. Provide preventive, therapeutic, emergency, and rehabilitative care.

    Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher

  • Training and Development Specialists

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Design or conduct work-related training and development programs to improve individual skills or organizational performance.

    Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree