18. Experience or Education – Best Path to Work in Sports with Steve Dittmore, Author, College Dean

Farrell Sports Business

Episode 18 of the Farrell Sports Business podcast - Host Matt Farrell talks with Steve Dittmore, Dean of the College of Education and Human Services at the University of North Florida. He discusses the dilemma of making the choice between starting your career immediately or getting a master's degree sports industry. He shares his own career path, from working in sports information offices to the Olympic movement, and eventually transitioning into academia and calls himself an "accidental academic." Dittmore emphasizes the importance of choosing a school based on the opportunities it offers and advises students to focus on gaining practical experience and developing skills in areas such as data analytics and content creation. He also discusses the evolving landscape of sports and highlights the impact of trends like Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and the increasing use of data in decision-making.
Chapters
00:00 Intro of Steve Dittmore
01:48 Steve's Role at University of North Florida
02:28 Career Path of Steve Dittmore
06:08 Career as Writer and Author
10:10 First Steps in Choosing to Work in Sports Regarding School and Major
15:14 Other Factors to Look at When Picking a College
16:40 Changing Landscape of Working in Sports
20:15 The Dilemma of Choosing Experience or More Education
25:15 Preparing for a College Job or Pro Job
26:08 Hiring Trends in Sports
28:58 Early Career Advice He Received
30:50 Matt Farrell Mentor Story from University of Arkansas
Takeaways
- Choose a school based on the opportunities it offers, rather than its name or size.
- Gain practical experience and develop skills in areas like data analytics and content creation.
- Consider the evolving landscape of the sports industry and stay updated on trends like Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and the use of data in decision-making.
- Listen to mentors and advisors when making important career decisions.
- Continuing education, such as pursuing a graduate degree, can provide a competitive advantage in certain fields.
Intro Song: All World
Artist: JMPSCR
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