Cameron Myler
Clinical Assistant Professor, Faculty Fellow in Residence, Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport, NYU School of Professional Studies
What advice do you have for women looking to get into this industry?
Start connecting with professionals who work in sport; informational interviews are useful at any point in your career, but particularly when you are looking to learn more about a new industry. Attend events and conferences that are focused on the business of sport; you’ll have the chance to network with a broad range of professionals and also learn about current trends. Consider supplementing your skill set; if you’ll be transitioning from another industry, assess what skills and experiences you already have and then determine what else you might need to learn.
Professionals who are able to combine their industry knowledge with leading-edge skills and critical thinking will be ideally positioned to create their own professional path.
How can someone first starting out determine what part/sector of sports management is right for them?
Many of the students in the NYUSPS (NYU School of Professional Studies) Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport start our program with a very specific idea of what professional role they envision themselves in after graduation. The advice that I give them is also relevant for anyone who is interested in making a career pivot: learn as much as you can about different jobs and companies, network with people who work in those roles, and keep an open mind. You never know what might catch your interest, so even if you grew up dreaming of working in the front office of a particular pro sports team, stay open to other possibilities and then decide what’s a good fit.
What do you think is most exciting about the future of sports management?
There has never been a more exciting time to work in this industry! The business of sport is now truly global — the NBA is expanding to China and Africa, European soccer leagues are establishing presences in the United States, and esports is connecting players and fans around the world. Technology and innovation are having a dramatic impact on the industry; wearable technology is capturing real-time performance data of athletes and virtual/augmented reality could soon make an infinite number of courtside seats available to fans on the other side of the world.
Because the industry is so dynamic and evolving so rapidly, there are career paths and job opportunities today that we couldn’t even have imagined five years ago.
Why is it important to encourage women to play a bigger role in this industry?
One of the Fundamental Principles in the Olympic Charter states that “the practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity, and fair play.”
Promoting diversity and inclusion of all kinds is important not only on the playing field, but in all aspects of the business and governance of sport. Cultivating a diverse workforce and an inclusive work environment helps companies be more innovative, connect with their stakeholders, understand their customers, and increase profitability. We, as women, have the opportunity to create positive change in every aspect of this industry.
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