4 answers
Gabriel
Student
Youngsville, North Carolina
2
Questions
Asked
241 views
How can I start building skills or experiences now that would help me succeed in a future marketing career, and are there ways I can connect my background in sports (like wrestling) to opportunities in marketing?
I've wrestled in high school for the last 3 years, track and field for 2 years, and football for 4 years. I'm looking to study marketing with a possible minor in communications. I'm looking to continue to wrestle in college as well.
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4 answers
Karen Doan, MBA
Marketing
2
Answers
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Your sports background already gives you a strong foundation for a career in marketing. Well done!
Through wrestling, football, and track & field, you’ve developed skills that are highly valuable in marketing, including discipline, goal setting, teamwork, and performing under pressure. Wrestling in particular teaches mental toughness, accountability, and continuous improvement qualities that translate well into a fast paced marketing environment.
To start building relevant experience now, I would recommend:
1. Get Hands-On Marketing Experience
* Help promote your wrestling team, football team, or school events on social media.
* Create content (photos, videos, athlete stories, match recaps, training tips).
* Volunteer to manage or contribute to a team’s Instagram, TikTok, or other social channels.
* Learn basic graphic design using tools like Canva.
2. Learn Digital Marketing Fundamentals
Take free or low-cost online courses in. Start with LinkedIn learning or 6sense:
* Social media marketing
* Content marketing
* Email marketing
* SEO (search engine optimisation)
* Analytics and data interpretation
3. Build a Personal Brand
As a college athlete, you’ll have a unique story. Consider documenting:
* Your wrestling journey
* Training routines
* Lessons from competition
* Balancing sport and academics
This gives you practical experience creating content, growing an audience, and understanding what engages people.
4. Seek Sports Marketing Opportunities
Look for internships or volunteer roles with:
* College athletic departments
* Sports clubs
* Sporting events
* Fitness brands
* Sports media organisations
Understanding athletes and sports fans from firsthand experience can make you especially valuable in sports marketing roles.
5. Develop Communication Skills
Since you’re considering a communications minor, focus on:
* Public speaking
* Writing
* Interviewing athletes and coaches
The ability to communicate clearly is one of the most important skills in marketing.
Don’t think of your athletic background as separate from marketing. It can be one of your biggest strengths. Many successful marketers stand out because they bring experience from another field. Wrestling has taught you how to prepare, compete, analyse performance, and continuously improve. Marketing is surprisingly similar: you test strategies, learn from results, adjust, and keep improving. :)
Through wrestling, football, and track & field, you’ve developed skills that are highly valuable in marketing, including discipline, goal setting, teamwork, and performing under pressure. Wrestling in particular teaches mental toughness, accountability, and continuous improvement qualities that translate well into a fast paced marketing environment.
To start building relevant experience now, I would recommend:
1. Get Hands-On Marketing Experience
* Help promote your wrestling team, football team, or school events on social media.
* Create content (photos, videos, athlete stories, match recaps, training tips).
* Volunteer to manage or contribute to a team’s Instagram, TikTok, or other social channels.
* Learn basic graphic design using tools like Canva.
2. Learn Digital Marketing Fundamentals
Take free or low-cost online courses in. Start with LinkedIn learning or 6sense:
* Social media marketing
* Content marketing
* Email marketing
* SEO (search engine optimisation)
* Analytics and data interpretation
3. Build a Personal Brand
As a college athlete, you’ll have a unique story. Consider documenting:
* Your wrestling journey
* Training routines
* Lessons from competition
* Balancing sport and academics
This gives you practical experience creating content, growing an audience, and understanding what engages people.
4. Seek Sports Marketing Opportunities
Look for internships or volunteer roles with:
* College athletic departments
* Sports clubs
* Sporting events
* Fitness brands
* Sports media organisations
Understanding athletes and sports fans from firsthand experience can make you especially valuable in sports marketing roles.
5. Develop Communication Skills
Since you’re considering a communications minor, focus on:
* Public speaking
* Writing
* Interviewing athletes and coaches
The ability to communicate clearly is one of the most important skills in marketing.
Don’t think of your athletic background as separate from marketing. It can be one of your biggest strengths. Many successful marketers stand out because they bring experience from another field. Wrestling has taught you how to prepare, compete, analyse performance, and continuously improve. Marketing is surprisingly similar: you test strategies, learn from results, adjust, and keep improving. :)
Jessica Lanchang
Paid Social Media Manager
5
Answers
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Hi Gabriel! Consider looking into companies in the field. I've been an athlete since school and prior to the current company I work for I was the Social Media Marketing Manager for a sports supplement and clothing company for bodybuilders and powerlifters. I wasn't lifting in front of the camera as an athlete as I preferred to stay behind the camera, but I was able to combine my graphic design and marketing skills in a career in an industry I was passionate about.
Nathalye Lopez
40
Answers
Updated
Nathalye’s Answer
Hey Gabriel, it would be great if you started documenting your journey as a wrestler. You can use platforms like Instagram or TikTok and have fun exploring their features. Think of it as a way to share your skills and market yourself. It's a cool way to show off what you can do to future employers and gain skills that will help in your career.
Michele Guthrie
Communications
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Michele’s Answer
I actually interned for USA Wrestling! Make sure you reach out and connect with wrestling organizations at all levels!