Four Lessons from First Year of Working Full-Time in Sports

By: Kolby Castillo

​

What does skydiving, a roller coaster ride, going 100 mph in a car, Game of Thrones, and puberty have in common? I can use all of those to describe my first year of full-time work (Aug. 2019 to June 2020) in the sports industry. It was the most exciting and challenging year of my life. Like for you, the pandemic turned my world in all directions. My first year felt as exhilarating as what I imagine skydiving would feel like. It was as scary as a roller coaster ride, and yes, I am afraid of roller coasters. It went by as quickly as a 100 mph car and felt like an afternoon breeze that departed too quickly. Yet, through it all, it transformed me into another Kolby. 

I want to share with you the lessons I learned in my first year of working in sports. May you not repeat the same mistakes, and may you continue to be successful in your journey. *These lessons are not in any particular order.

1. Forget Everything You Learned or Were Told

I played college football, and we would watch a film on the other team every day for hours leading up to the game. You learned everything about your opponent. "Preparation is key," but more importantly, it's the ability to adapt. I can't tell you how many times I have gone into a game expecting my opponent to do something, but he does the opposite. Your first year of working full-time in sports is just like that. You did all of these internships or have been told so many things. I am here to tell you that it will be everything you thought and did not think it was. I learned it is essential to be able to adapt. To adapt to different situations, different challenges, and everything that happens. You'll never be able to predict what will happen fully. There were so many things that happened in my first year that I did not think I had to deal with. Everything from having to escort people out of facilities to breaking tents. You love this industry because of the unknown. Embrace it!

2. Have Your Pen and Paper Handy

You can bring your pen and paper if you want, but I didn't mean it literally. I am trying to let you know that your education did not end after receiving your diploma. Now you are being paid to get educated. Your job is paying you to do the best job you possibly can. To do that, you have to be continually learning. For me, it was through networking and podcasts. I tried to build relationships with my counterparts at other institutions to collaborate with them and ask them questions on things that I did not know. However it is you learn, keep doing it. Everything is constantly evolving, and if you don't want to be left behind, you will grow as well. 

3. Find Balance Now

The burnout rate in the sports industry is very high. I think it speaks to the personalities and qualities of most people that work in sports. We are passionate and ambitious. We want to make sure we provide the best product for others. I get it; it is hard to step away when you love what you are doing. Despite that, there's a need to be balanced. I have asked many sports industry professionals with ten plus years of experience the question: "Would you change anything about how you went about your career?". The responses are mostly, "Not really, but I would have slowed down and smelled the roses a little bit" or "Learning how to check out when necessary." In my first year, I wanted to do everything. I wanted to be the first to volunteer to work every weekend or stay extra hours. As time went by, it started to change me. Physically and mentally, I found myself drained. Finding balance does not mean you don't work hard. It means finding moments to disconnect from your work. Enjoy time with friends, your partner, or yourself. This is a marathon, and you don't want to gas out before the finish line. To do the best work, you have to be the best you physically and mentally. 

4. Don't Be Afraid to Fail.
​I did not want to make any mistakes, which led to making mistakes. While we all want to do a perfect job, the reality is you'll make a mistake. It is part of the process of growing. Luckily for me, I had co-workers that did not shun my mistakes. They were used as opportunities to help me learn. You'll put pressure on yourself to not make mistakes, but it will only hold you back. Be critical but not judgmental of yourself. What I did was document a lot of my mistakes on paper. It was my way of acknowledging and storing it in my memory. Your biggest mistake may be that you try to play it safe. 
While I probably could write a book about this past year of working in sports, I want to share the four essential lessons from my experience. I know it has been challenging for you; it has been for me. This year has shown me that I need to focus on what I can control. Some things will happen whether or not I want them to. Be adaptable, let the world be your classroom, find balance, and be confident in yourself. 

As I always say: We are all on our own individual journeys, but you are not alone.