My name is Tom O'Brien, and I played DI tennis at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. This is my story and my advice for life after college athletics. Sports taught me so many life lessons and prepared me for the real world. Some might say it is cliché, some might say it's extreme, but tennis was my savior. But when your career is over, regardless of your sport, how do the lessons you learn as an athlete help you later on? Here are four ways being an athlete can benefit you in the workplace.
1. You're Good Under Pressure
When the game is on the line, your nerves and mettle are put to the test. Whether on the court or the board room, you will be faced with high-pressure situations in life. In sports, you will be in some intense pressure situations, and you will need to prioritize, then strategize. You will need to think quickly and develop a game plan and this also goes for being in the workforce–your manager or boss might decide to change a project at the last minute. A coworker might call in sick on the day of a big presentation. Your company might be facing a financial crisis that requires quick thinking to keep you and your career afloat.
Related: 5 Ways Former Athletes Can Stay Involved in Their Sport Once Their Careers End
Needless to say, in the workplace, you always need to be on your toes and stay cool in pressure situations just like in sports. Even the most upbeat and well-mannered professionals can become flustered and temperamental when under stress–thanks to your experience as an athlete, you won't be that employee.
2. You Understand the Value of Hard Work
You have to grind when it comes to your sport and you know that the time, energy, dedication, and hard work is never-ending. Pushing yourself to your limits and motivating yourself is a good recipe for success–it's what we need to do in order to be the best. Being a rookie on the team is often like being a rookie in the office: you won't get playing time until you prove yourself and you won't catch the eye of your boss if you are not working hard. As an athlete, you're not afraid of hard work–bring that same hustle to your job and you'll go far.
3. You're a Team Player
Teamwork makes the dream work and players who work hard on the court or field work well in organizations because they can be clear about the specific expectations related to their roles. The expectations that big businesses have for their workers is not something they are willing to leave to chance and as a team player, you know how to cooperate, communicate with others, delegate tasks, and show commitment to your team—all of which are needed in the workforce. If you have all of these qualities as an athlete, it'll give you a jump start in the workforce.
Related: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: 7 Tips to Become a Better Team Player as a College Athlete
4. You Respect Authority
As an athlete, you have to have respect for your coaches. Athletes have to take direction from coaches whether they agree or disagree, the same way that you will have to take direction from a boss. During your athletic career, you have shown that you have already been committed to a team, and most importantly you are able to juggle school work, training, practices, games, social life, and everything else that goes along with being a college athlete. In the workplace, you can transfer these experiences and be able to take direction well from management.
Looking back, I am a much more productive guy in the office today because of high school and college sports. Would I take back my days playing tennis for the Wildcats at Nova? Never. If anything I wish I could go back and learn more. But while I can't time travel, I can use what I learned as an athlete in the office.
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* Originally published on January 19, 2023, by 2aDays Staff
