Okay, folks, let’s talk about how I tried to snag a job in the NFL. It wasn’t easy, and spoiler alert: I’m not calling plays on Sundays, but I learned a ton along the way.
First, I figured out what I even wanted to do. I’m no athlete, never was. So, playing was out of the question. I’m decent with numbers and I love breaking down game film, so I thought, “Maybe something in analytics or scouting?”
My Game Plan (Which Mostly Fumbled)
- Step 1: Network, Network, Network. I hit up LinkedIn like it was my full-time job. I searched for people with titles like “Scouting Assistant,” “Data Analyst,” anything that sounded remotely close to what I wanted. I sent out a bunch of personalized messages (no copy-pasting!), just saying I was interested in the field and would love to chat about their experience.
- Step 2: Learn the Ropes. I devoured every football analytics article, blog post, and podcast I could find. I even tried to teach myself some basic coding (Python, mostly) because I saw a lot of job postings mentioning it. Let’s just say I’m no coding whiz.
- Step 3: Apply, Apply, Apply. I scoured the NFL team websites, looking for any openings. I applied for internships, entry-level positions, anything that seemed like a foot in the door. I probably sent out dozens of applications.
- Step 4: Get Some thing to prictice.I started to do the things on the web,and try to find somthing * get some advice from the internets.
So, what happened? Well, I got a few responses from my LinkedIn messages. A couple of people were super nice and gave me some great advice. One guy even hopped on a quick phone call with me! That was huge.
The applications? Mostly silence. I got a few automated rejection emails, which stung a little, but I figured that was part of the process. It’s a competitive field, right?
The coding? Yeah, that’s still a work in progress. I realized I needed to be realistic about my skills and maybe focus on the things I was already good at.
The practice on web?I found a lot,but still mess,need more time to deal.
Eventually, I realized that breaking into the NFL straight away was a long shot. I decided to shift my focus. I started looking at smaller sports organizations, colleges, even high schools. I figured I could build up my experience and maybe work my way up.
I landed a volunteer gig with a local college football team, helping them with some basic data analysis. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was a start. I learned a ton about the day-to-day operations of a football program, and I made some valuable connections.
So, while I’m not working in the NFL yet, I’m still in the game, so to speak. I’m building my skills, expanding my network, and keeping my eye on the prize. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, right?
It is hard,but keep going!
