Russ Hafferkamp, Founder of Career Athletes and CEO of Athlete Career Network, answers the question of ‘what’s next’ for hundreds of thousands of competitive athletes facing career uncertainty and loss of identity as they transition away from sports.
Considered a leading voice nationally in athlete career development, Russ is former collegiate All-American and elite athlete who has provided career advice and counsel to over 250,000 collegiate and professional athletes. CareerBall: The Sport Athletes Play When They’re Through Playing Sports dissects the athlete DNA and alerts athletes to the unique challenges facing them as they transition away from a lifetime of sports.
“Today, athletes, parents, administrators and agents, are realizing that a singularly focused, over-commitment to competitive athletics has produced an unintended consequence of crisis proportions. Participation in professional and amateur sports now requires a year-round time commitment…and leaves many athletes ill-prepared for the requirements of a changing employment landscape.”
“Athletics largely shape who we are,” writes Russ. “And the good news is that hiring managers and HR professionals across America readily identify the athlete DNA as a very valuable commodity in the workforce. Confidence, discipline, loyalty, resilience, persistence...sports has always been a terrific and proven learning ground for life skills.”
Now, more than ever, Russ believes passionately that athletes need to exercise greater self-responsibility in how they balance a commitment to sports and preparing for life-after-sports. “It is important to realize that we are now living in times when most of the rules of the employment market have changed. In the old days, career planning and development for athletes was rewarded mostly by networking and showing up for the interview. Today, competing successfully in the work place requires more preparation and effort. Also, you better come to the interview with some previous experience (part-time jobs, internships, even volunteerism)
Among other practical job-search/job-
With an economic and employment ‘reset’ well underway, Russ also explores where the world is headed and key employment trends for 2010 and beyond. He puts to rest the notion that there is still job security or that people will have only one career in a lifetime. “But, in fact, there may be a distinct advantage for the prepared athlete in this sort of competitive environment where jobs are scare and the applicants are many. Employers are taking a new look at highly competitive individuals that can stare down dire times, bring optimism and a work ethic to the party, and continue to build for the future.”
Integral to the message in CareerBall: The Sport Athletes Play When They’re Through Playing Sports is “if you want to achieve success in your post-athletic career, you have to assume more self-responsibility and gather broader life and work experiences while you compete. Living in a post-industrial, high-tech society requires prospective employees to demonstrate both intelligence and concrete work skills- not just athletic accomplishments or a recommendation from important alumni. Lacking the necessary skills and mobility required for getting the good jobs of tomorrow will be tough obstacles to overcome if all you have to show on your resume is a long history of touchdowns and team spirit.”
Russ’ best advise? “For the athlete, the bottom line in today’s marketplace is clear: don’t be asleep at the switch. Unless you’re making seven-figures a year and signed to a multi-year contract, being a good athlete is no guarantee that you will succeed in your career after sports…or, for that matter, even find a job. You better be prepared.” For more information about Russ and the message within CareerBall, visit http://www.careerballthebook.com
