SIMPLE YET PROFOUND CAREER ADVICE FOR ANYONE

"How do I get a good job one day?”  

“What do I need to do now to start preparing for the ‘real world'?" 

“The sports industry is so competitive, what advice would you give?”

“What should I major in if I want to work in sports?”

These are just a few questions that are regularly asked by students or people trying to get into the sports industry.  Harvey Mackay wrote a book entitled “Dig Your Well Before You Are Thirsty”.  It was primarily a networking book but it also brought up a number of good points in regards to getting a job, getting a better a job and getting ahead in your job.  Having been at the college level for nearly 20 years, I was often faced with questions from students about what to do after college when they get into the “real world”. No matter what age or career you are in, it is good to ask questions before you absolutely need the answers.  It is good to have something to drink on hand when you are thirsty.  It is good to have food in the refrigerator when you are hungry.  It is good to have a parachute packed when you jump out of a plane.  Here are a few simple pieces of advice for being prepared for the “real world.” 

The "I GOT FIRED" Club

Springtime.  March Madness.  What a great time of the year.  The flowers are blooming, the weather is nicer, yard sale signs are going up and basketball tournaments are providing us with great excitement.  However, it is also a difficult time of the year for some folks in the coaching profession.  The internet is beginning to be littered with stories and rumors of coaches being fired or getting "resigned".  As fans of basketball, this is natural and expected.  Our team isn't performing like we want them to be and so we want change.  For coaches everywhere, this is also a normal occurrence, though not one that we want our friends and acquaintances to go through.  And by all means, we don't want to go through it ourselves.  It is said that coaches are hired to be fired.  If you are a coach and haven't been fired (or had your contract renewed, or asked to resign, or been re-assigned, etc...) then you are either a relatively young coach or one of the very few fortunate ones.  Notice, I didn't say that you are one of the good coaches.  Bad coaches get fired.  Average coaches get fired.  Good coaches get fired.  Men get fired.  Women get fired.  Alums get fired.  Coach of the Year winners get fired.  No one is immune to this phenomenon.  Sometimes we see it coming; other times it blindsides us.  As a member of one of the biggest clubs around, I wanted to make mention of a couple of things you should keep in mind if you should find yourself joining (or getting your membership renewed in) The "I was fired" Club.