Erin Berthon, MA Career Manager, Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, at Chapman University

When students say they want to work in sports, the assumption is often immediate: Were you an athlete? Did you major in business or sport management?

If you’re studying in the arts, humanities, or social sciences, it can feel like the sports industry is off-limits or hard to break into. But the truth is, sports organizations rely on far more than athletes and front-office executives. They rely on storytellers, creatives, analysts, researchers, communicators, coordinators, and community builders. Many of those professionals started with degrees just like yours.

Students often underestimate how directly their coursework translates to sports. If you’re studying journalism, communication, or media, you’re already building the skills needed to work in sports reporting, digital content, social media, and broadcast production. Interviewing, writing under a deadline, researching, and understanding audiences are core parts of the industry.

If you’re in a creative field, like design, film, performance, or visual arts, sports organizations depend on you to shape the fan experience. From game-day videos and graphics to brand storytelling and live event production, creativity drives how fans connect to teams.

If you’re studying the social sciences, you may be surprised by how critical your perspective is. Areas such as sociology and political science can contribute to community outreach, athlete support, fan research, analytics, compliance, and governance. Understanding people and systems is just as important as understanding the game itself.

What Alumni Say About Breaking Into the Sports Industry

Below are some insights from Chapman alumni who have built careers in the sports industry without being athletes, using skills from the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

Erin Berthon: In college, you had three internships in the sports industry. What advice do you have for our students on landing one?

Lauren Morrow ( ‘24, Strategic and Corporate Communication, Sociology Minor): The sports industry is competitive, so my biggest advice is to be proactive and consistent. Attend school career fairs and networking events, even if you feel nervous—those rooms are where opportunities start. Come prepared, introduce yourself confidently, and follow up afterward.

Use platforms like TeamWork Online to regularly check and apply for sports-specific roles, and don’t be afraid to message professionals on LinkedIn to ask thoughtful questions or request informational calls. Most people are willing to help if you approach them professionally. Most importantly, maintain the relationships you build. Follow up, stay in touch, and treat every interaction like it could lead to something long-term. In sports, relationships truly matter.

Erin Berthon: What were some of the skills you took from your major that you use in your current role?

Damian Ochoa (‘22, BA Political Science, Entrepreneurship Minor): Many of the skills I use daily come directly from my academic background in Political Science and Entrepreneurship. My coursework taught me how to analyze complex information, communicate clearly, and think strategically, skills that are essential in the sports industry. In college, I spent a lot of time breaking down dense material, forming arguments, and understanding how systems and relationships work. That translates directly into my current role, whether I’m reviewing contracts, evaluating opportunities, or helping athletes navigate decisions that impact their careers. The research, writing, and presentation skills I developed at Chapman University have also been invaluable. From pitching ideas to brands to communicating with agents and athletes, being able to clearly articulate value and see multiple perspectives has been one of the biggest advantages college has given me.

Erin Berthon: What advice do you have for our students?

DO: Stay focused and put the work in now. Find ways to separate yourself from your peers. Most students have solid resumes, but what really sets people apart in this industry is consistency and relationships. The sports industry is tight-knit, and showing up every day matters. Be dependable, be curious, and be willing to do the work that others overlook. Build real connections, not just contacts, and understand that early mornings and long nights are part of the grind. If you embrace that process and stay committed, the opportunities will follow.

Erin Berthon: What skills from college do you most use in your current role?

Christian Douglas (‘24, Political Science & Strategic and Corporate Communication): I think with any role, especially mine now at NBC, the key is the ability to stand up, ask questions, and articulately share your thoughts.. I think a lot of the setbacks many young professionals face stem from their inability to step out of their comfort zones and speak up. My professors, especially in Political Science, emphasized how important research is and how vital it is to come forward with something you have learned and share it. In all my presentations or research—shoutout to the Student Scholar Symposium and Dr. {Ann}Gordon—I was forced to stand up for myself, speak confidently about a certain matter, take in conflicting viewpoints, and diversify how I thought. These opportunities, on top of my comfort in knowing I could speak up, really sparked my ability to network effectively and learn quickly. Every time I network or learn something new, I truly take the time to understand what or who is in front of me, but also recognize that there are other ways to approach it. This concept really became part of me, as I’ve leveraged a learning mindset to get into meetings with SVPs or work in sports in general, because I’m willing to share my voice confidently and with a learning mindset.

Erin Berthon: What advice would you give students trying to break in now?

CD: Networking and working a part-time or seasonal role. This may sound obvious, but it truly shows how much you want it in such a competitive field. Take the time to find your interests and reach out to professionals through LinkedIn or the Panther Network. These conversations can foster opportunities toward mentorship or even lead to someone advocating for your employment. Additionally, when I got to Chicago, working was truly the best indicator of someone’s passion for the industry. The second I got the Chicago Cubs on my resume, even in a limited capacity, it changed everything. I really wish, looking back, that I had taken advantage of so many opportunities right at my front door, like working a season at Angel Stadium or the Honda Center in any capacity. It truly does not matter, and when I heard the Angels’ guest speaker three years ago say they started working for the Angels in the parking lot, I didn’t believe it, but that kind of exposure will open numerous doors. Finally, beyond a simple LinkedIn connection and message, I began to use domain finders on the internet to locate emails and overcome flooded LinkedIn inboxes, and it opened a lot more doors because it shows tenacity. Job applications that are submitted through platforms like Teamwork Online often overwhelm hiring managers, and when they see that you somehow found their email, it helps you stand out. All this being said, be willing to take that part-time job, be willing to have uncomfortable networking calls, and never stop reaching out, because it will all fall into place one day when others quit.

If you love sports and you’re studying in the arts, humanities, or social sciences, this industry isn’t closed to you, it’s built for you. Sports need storytellers, thinkers, creators, researchers, and leaders who understand people as much as they understand the game. Your voice, your perspective, and your ability to connect ideas are not side skills; they are essential. And like many alumni before you, your path into the sports industry may begin with one simple shift: recognizing that your major doesn’t hold you back,  it moves you forward.