An athlete's career is short by nature
The average playing career of a professional basketball player lasts on average four and half years. Therefore, preparing for your professional life after basketball is just as important as your current career on-the-court. The short-term nature of professional sporting careers and the uncertainty of sport (injuries, contracts, etc.) mean that education and skills training are key to achieving goals later in life.
In this section you will be provided with important information regarding your opportunities to develop off-court skills that will help you make a living after your playing career ends. Explore education options so that you’re already on track for a new career.
Identify your interests
Before deciding on the steps to follow for your future, it is important to reflect on the following aspects:
Identify your interests. The first step is to identify what you want to do after your playing career ends. You can be interested in staying in the basketball world and look for professional opportunities in the sport. But you can also identify other interests.
Consider your opportunities. Identifying your interests will help you determine a rewarding career path and guide your decision about how to make progress towards your objective.
Make your decisions accordingly. Identify what type of education best fits your personal goals. There are so many options that if you don’t spend enough time identifying what you want for your future, the decision-making process could feel overwhelming and make you feel discouraged.
Many careers allow you to work in the sports industry, for example as a sports presenter, sponsorship manager, physical therapist, or a coach. To see which careers are best suited to your interests and talents, the IOC has prepared a platform that offers a test.
Education and skills training may not seem very important right now. Your main focus is your life on-the-court. But keep in mind all the efforts you put in for the development of your basketball career. It should be no different for your professional future. The investments in education you make now can lead to greater professional and financial success for years to come.
It is important to note that the system of education varies a lot from country to country. Make sure to get to know the educational system in the country where you want to pursue your education. A good first step is to contact one Players' Mentor in your country and ask for advice to your National Federation.
Transferable skills
Have you ever considered that the passion you exhibit on-the-court could be your key to a successful career off-the-court?
As a basketball player you have demonstrated the discipline, focus, and competitive spirit that many employers want their employees to have. As such, you may want to factor in you experience as a professional player when choosing an option for education or skills training. You have a unique opportunity to leverage your current position in the next chapter of your life.
To be a successful player, you possess qualities and personal traits that are rare and very attractive to most organisations. These traits may include being:
Team-oriented
Results-driven
Competitive
Coachable
Resilient
Accountable
Mentally tough
Confident
Able to overcome adversity
When making educational and professional choices, lean on your individual attributes and let your previous experiences and personal strengths guide you.
Although statistics show that former athletes tend to gravitate toward careers in sales, management and general business, the unique skill sets that professional athletes develop give you certain advantages for establishing successful careers in many different professions. These include sports-related careers such as physical educator, athletic trainer, coach, scout, general manager, etc.
However, while it can be wise to continue a professional path that allows you to work in sport, do not be afraid to try your hand at something new.
Part-Time education options while you still play
Already during your basketball career, you can invest in your development through part-time education. Even if it can be a long-term investment, do not be discouraged about the length of time it may take to reach your dream. Instead, keep in mind that making steady progress towards completing a degree is better than doing nothing at all.
Here are some options that you might consider:
University or College
Depending on where you live, you might have the opportunity to take part-time or night classes at a local university or college. These classes provide flexibility you may need considering the demands of a professional sporting career.
Online education / Distance education
Nowadays there is a great variety of educational options available online. Online education gives you greater accessibility and flexibility to work toward a degree during your busy basketball career.
Computer programmes
Another option for those requiring a flexible education schedule is commercially available computer software. This option will not result in receiving a formally recognised degree, but it can provide diplomas and give you the basic knowledge that you can use to further develop in certain career fields.
Professional/self-help books
Like commercial computer software, professional/self-help books are another useful option. Books that cover certain trades or pre-professional programmes can shed light on the fundamental details of your area of interest.
Full-time education options after basketball
If you decide to focus full-time on your professional development, there are several different educational options that you can consider.
University/College
Undergraduate programme. Probably the most traditional form of higher education is three to four-year institutions that offer degrees in a wide variety of areas. Different institutions provide expertise in different degree areas. After completing the programme, you receive a Bachelor’s degree and diploma. Students who receive this degree either enter the workforce or pursue higher levels of education in their field of study (Master’s or Doctoral programmes).
Master or Graduate programme. Master’s programmes are typically reserved for students who already have a Bachelor’s degree. The level of training and research is usually higher, and you will acquire specialised education in the selected topics.
Doctoral programme. Similar to a Master’s programme, doctoral programmes are exclusively available to those who have previously attained a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Doctoral programmes are research intensive by nature and represent the highest level of formal study in most countries.
Trade Schools
A trade school provides vocational education and focuses on teaching you the skills you will need to perform a specific job, with unique emphasis on the practical application of your newly acquired skills. The defining characteristic of trade schools is their application-intensive nature – they give students more hands-on experience in their specific trade than any other form of education.
Online education / Distance education
Online education, also known as distance learning or e-learning, differs from traditional education because students are not required to visit an actual classroom and listen to an instructor face-to-face. The convenience of online classes has a direct correlation with its increasing popularity, as they eliminate time restraints in your day.
Two-year institutions
Traditional two-year institutions, also called community colleges, are most prevalent in the United States, but do exist in similar forms throughout the world. These institutions are often less expensive than four-year universities and typically offer three types of programmes:
Career education. Students receive an Associate’s degree and directly enter the workforce.
Industry training. Students’ employers pay for the training and education in specific areas that help the student/employee develop more skills in their job.
Transfer credit. Students receive credit for courses taken with the plan of applying that credit toward a four-year, higher-level degree (usually accepted at university/college)
Financing your education
Education can be expensive, so planning can be very useful (and necessary) to making long-term professional goals become a reality (see also: Finance).
There are three primary ways to help subsidise the cost of your education:
Scholarships. These are awards given to students based on prior achievement and indicators for academic success. Many scholarships are available through public and private sources from diverse industries, civic organisations, and research institutions.
Grants. Grants are often awarded based on financial need. These awards do not need to be repaid. As a professional basketball player, your Sports Ministry and/or your National Federation might have specific grants for athletes.
Federal/State/Private financial aid. Many public and private sector bodies provide access to educational loans. Federal, regional, or state governments may have loan programmes that offer students financial support during their education and that money must be paid back (with interest) in the years following completion of your degree.
Private Banks and other lenders. They also provide loan opportunities. These opportunities vary among financial institutions and interest rates may be higher than government- sponsored loans.
While financing your education may seem like a challenging task, it should not become a barrier (or an excuse) to not pursuing your goals. There are abundant opportunities available to students. With some research and thoughtful planning, you can make sure that money does not interfere with your professional goals.
Your education is an investment – it is an investment in your career, in your personal development, and in your future. Starting to invest in (or save for) your education now will set you up for success after your basketball career has ended.