#MSBLFriday411 3 quotes for your career...

Today's edition of #MSBLFriday411 is going to go in a slightly different direction than my other posts. Still, this content is just as relevant to not only help current students/recent graduates but also serve as a reminder for those of us in the industry of things not to forget.

"You can never be overdressed or overeducated"

– Oscar Wilde –

This is probably one of the BIGGEST lessons that I learned from our program director (at the time) Dr. Dan Tripps. During one of our all-day Saturday classes, he had a discussion with our entire cohort, why exactly it was brought up, I can't remember. Still, it has stuck with me all of these years. He told us that you will be confronted with situations in your professional (and personal) life that you honestly are NOT sure what the appropriate attire is. If you move to another part of the United States or even another country, the expectations ARE VERY different from what it is in Seattle and what you wear DOES matter.

---

To put it a different way…which one of these guys would you want to be:

The person that walks into a professional situation in a nicely pressed suit and tie…and when you see that the dress is more casual in the group, maybe remove your tie or coat.

OR

The person that walks into a professional situation in nicely pressed slacks and a polo shirt…but see that everyone else is in suits and/or ties and dress shirts

---

Chances are you’re opting to be the first person…and if you didn't…well, you should. The first person made a better impression on the room than the other and his/her opportunities for success because that will be FAR higher. Now, we all know sports is not an industry that will make you a millionaire; but in the booming era of online shopping, we all have resources (as well as our professional network) to help us "dress to impress."

To Wilde's second point about being "…overeducated," be committed to NEVER stop learning. Their many resources online to help expand your skillset and network (more on that later) to help you be a better professional and continue to grow within your job. Some of these include Twitter chats like @YPSportsChat, which focuses on (as you probably guess) young professionals in sports. This was socially distant networking before it was cool, and some of the connections I've made from across the sports world through those chats I am still in contact with and count as good professional friends.

If you are looking for a more traditional route, there are multiple national professional associations in sports (example: NACDA.) These associations offer student memberships (aka cheaper rates) BUT give you access to professional development opportunities, networking, and jobs that aren't available anywhere else.

“Networking is not collecting contacts…networking is about planting relations.”

– Unknown –

As much as we would all like to think that our resumes and cover letters are going to be what gets us a job, it is our network that can be an “x-factor” in helping us in that process. Most important in that network are the peers that you have met/will meet in this program because you'll be going out into the industry at the same time. As you rise up, you'll be able to help open doors for each other in ways others can't. This program has a small but mighty alumni roster (both graduates and not) spread throughout the Pacific Northwest and country both in and out of sports. We (speaking collectively as one of those alumni) are here to help you accomplish whatever your dream is. Still, you mustn't just view us (or any other professional contact) as just a name and number in your phone contacts.

I get that networking is not everyone's forte…it took me a while to learn as an introvert with extrovert tendencies how to network in a way that was genuinely my style. One of the most helpful books in that process early in my career was Bob Beaudine’s "The Power of Who." He breaks his approach down in a way that is very easy to understand and adapt to fit your personal style.

Now, going back to program alumni, take the time to identify who is someone connected to the program that could help you better understand that element of the industry. I have several friends from my cohort who are in positions of influence within the sports scene in Seattle. I value their opinion, and I know they will do what they can to help me in my career as I would do for them. While I have a relationship established with them, I'm confident that they (and I) would do the same for you as well…but remember that while we share the same experiences at Seattle U…to really help be an advocate for you, we need to know your story too.

So, if you want to work in high school athletics, pro-sports P.R., or fundraising/development, look at the alumni list and find those alumni in that area and reach out. Set up informational interviews, see if they have opportunities for job shadow/volunteer, work to get to know them, and their career while they get to know you. It is something that you can't force, and has to be a two-way street…but if done conscientiously and respectfully, you can build that relationship into a crucial part of your network. At the same time, it's important to remember that reputation I.S. everything in this industry as well…so be mindful of that in every interaction.

“Know yourself – to lead yourself”

– Culture Wins –

This industry is not a typical 9-to-5 job…you will be expected some days to work from 9 am – until – 11 pm and other days you’ll be able to leave at 1 pm and have the rest of the day off.

To survive the rollercoaster of time and effort that is this industry, you have to find a work/life balance. It is one thing that no matter how much you talk about it in class, you don’t really understand HOW to do that until you are “in the trenches” and working. A few years ago I found myself quickly burning myself out and not having the same passion around my job as I once did, and that concerned me. Too many books on the subject (I found) are one-size-fits-all and didn’t fit within my mental framework. Then, through networking on Twitter, I discovered a resource that was "game-changer" for me in “5 Gears” (Cockram, Kubicek) and the work of Kevin DeShazo. They helped me understand what I was and wasn't doing well for my own overall health and gave me an understanding of the tools I needed to fix and maintain my approach to work and life to keep sports my passion in life.

Once you get into this crazy world of sports, you mustn't stop learning despite having graduated, and not just as it relates to your job. Work to continue to improve yourself in how you approach every aspect of your professional life to help you be the best mentally, physically, and job-specific skillset.

Again, as much as I would like to say that I'm an expert…I'm not. Work to find your unique approach in networking and leadership to ensure that you can be as genuine as possible in your interactions with co-workers, superiors, and peers throughout the industry…BUT remember Oscar Wilde's quote always applies, "You can never be overdressed or overeducated."